- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK), Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Sen. Brian Schatz (D‑HI), Vice Chair, will convene an oversight hearing onWednesday, September 17, 2025, titled “Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act Successes and Opportunities at the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service.” The session will explore how the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) has been working at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Indian Health Service (IHS), and identify ways Congress can enhance service delivery under ISDEAA.
Witnesses include:
-
Mr. Kennis Bellmard, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development, U.S. Department of the Interior
-
Mr. Ben Smith, Acting Director, Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
-
The Honorable Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation
-
Mr. Victor Joseph, Executive Director, Tanana Tribal Council
-
Mr. Jay Spaan, Executive Director, Self‑Governance Communication & Education Tribal Consortium
Details:
-
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET
-
Location: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628
The hearing will be webcast live via the Committee’s website, and an archived video will be made available shortly after the event. Witness testimony will be posted on the Committee’s website at the start of the hearing.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Final Call for Donations as CRYP’s 2025 Toy Drive Nears the Finish Line
Star-Studded Livestream to Boost Native News Online’s Year-End Campaign
Monday Morning (December 8, 2025): Articles You May Have Missed This Past Weekend
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

