American Indian Lawyer Chosen to Lead Smithsonian Museum|ABC 7 News

text size: A | A | A

American Indian Lawyer Chosen to Lead Smithsonian Museum

posted 5:46 pm Tue September 11, 2007 - WASHINGTON

tags: smithsonian • indian • museum

ABC 7 News - American Indian Lawyer Chosen to Lead Smithsonian Museum

related stories:

A law professor from Arizona was named director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian on Tuesday. Kevin Gover, a member of the Pawnee tribe, will succeed founding director W. Richard West Jr., who led years of planning for the museum and its first three years of operation. West announced his resignation in October 2006 and will leave the museum in November.

Gover, 52, grew up in Oklahoma and currently serves as a professor of law at Arizona State University. He also is co-director of the university's American Indian Policy Institute and an affiliate professor in its American Indian studies program.

Gover said he is honored to lead the Smithsonian museum and will start work Dec. 2.

"The museum's mission of educating the public about living Native cultures is an important and challenging one, and I am grateful for the opportunity," Gover said in a statement.

President Clinton appointed Gover to serve as assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior from 1997 to 2000. He oversaw programs including Indian education, law enforcement, social services and treaty rights. He also practiced law for 15 years in Albuquerque, N.M., and Washington.

Acting Smithsonian Secretary Cristian Samper said Gover's experience in Washington and with Indian communities and his knowledge of history and culture will help bring the museum's resources to the broadest possible audience.

--

On the Net:

National Museum of the American Indian: http://www.nmai.si.edu/

Latest Comment on American Indian Lawyer Chosen to Lead Smithsonian Museum

rudolphmx

11:05 am on 09/12/07

Why does the media feel compeled to point out that Mr. Gover is an American Indian? That's great and all, but why can't the head line be "Smithsonian Museum Chooses a New Head Lawyer?" Why does the media always have to play on race??

» report abuse

You need to be a registered member of
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.

Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.

Please leave your comments below:

Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.

The 'RUNNING MAN' icon is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.