Former Bay Mill Chairman nominated by Biden for Dept of Interior

Former Bay Mills Indian Community Chairman, Bryan Newland, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the Department of Interior.

“We are very proud of Bryan and his service to Indian Country,” said Whitney Gravelle, Bay Mills Indian Community Chairperson. “During his time as BMIC chairman, Bryan worked hard to represent and serve the interests of our community and our people. I believe he would be a valuable asset to the Dept. of Interior in this new role.”

Newland served as chairman to BMIC for 3.5 years. During his tenure in Bay Mills, his administration secured funding for several infrastructure projects, including a $15 million health care facility that will serve the needs of those residing in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. He left BMIC in March to take a role in the Biden administration, where he has been serving as principal deputy assistant secretary of Indian Affairs.

“A great leader is not just someone who just makes decisions, but someone who believes in the potential of others, nurtures their ability, and helps them reach their own goals. Great leaders nurture other leaders. Bryan nurtured all of Bay Mills, and I have no doubt now in his new role he will nurture all of Indian Country,” Gravelle concluded.

“I’m incredibly excited to join such a talented team at the department and to get to work to carry out the president’s plan to uphold the United States’ trust obligation to tribal nations,” said Newland. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m eager to do it.” 

Newland is a citizen of Bay Mills Indian Community (Ojibwe), and was born and raised on the Bay Mills Reservation on the southern shore of Lake Superior.  He recently completed his tenure as the elected President of Bay Mills Indian Community, where he previously served as Chief Judge of the Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Court.  From 2009 to 2012, Newland served as a Counselor and Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Interior – Indian Affairs under President Obama.

Newland is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law, with a certificate from the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.  He also received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.  He is married to Erica Newland, and they have two children – Graydon and Meredith.