The former pueblo leader nominated by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to head the state’s Indian Affairs Department is leaving that post less than a year into the job to take on a new role as a policy adviser to the governor. The new role for James Mountain was confirmed Friday by the governor’s office. Mountain’s appointment as cabinet secretary in February immediately fueled anger among Native American advocates who worked to address violence and missing persons cases within their communities. Josett Monette will take the reins of the Indian Affairs Department. She is affiliated with the Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa Indians.
