Bill promotes Native American history through NH place names
By HOLLY RAMERJanuary 20, 2021 GMT
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire communities would be authorized to rename locations or geographic features in the Abenaki language under a bill aimed at promoting the state’s Native American heritage.
“Land holds a kind of memory that is often expressed through names,” Sen. David Watters told the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Wednesday. “For New Hampshire, it’s an opportunity to recognize this, to enrich our understanding of place history and also the environment, by understanding the presence of Native American names.”
The bill would require the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs to assist communities in determining appropriate names. Kathleen Blake, chairperson of the commission, said the group is pleased the bill has been proposed and appreciates being included. But members have concerns about the language, and the commi
Biden names New Mexicoâs Halland U.S. Secretary of the Interior By Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Jennifer Epstein on 12/18/2020
Interior Secretary nominee Deb Halland
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) - President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Deb Haaland to lead the Interior Department, according to people familiar with the matter, putting the Democratic representative in line to become the first American Indian cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
If confirmed as Interior secretary, Haaland would have a chance to chart the future of conservation, recreation and oil drilling on federal land, including territory in New Mexico, the state she represents in the House of Representatives.