SANTA FE – A former governor of a New Mexico pueblo has been chosen to be the state's next secretary of Indian Affairs.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment Friday of James R. Mountain to lead the department.

She highlighted his history as a leader in Pueblo de San Ildefonso and a vast expertise in state and tribal relations.

Mountain said in a statement that it was an honor take on the post and hoped to build “strong government-to-government relationships that truly respect the sovereignty of New Mexico's Nations, Tribes and Pueblos.”

He also aims to maintain traditional values of the state's Indigenous people but also work on enhancing everyone's quality of life.

Mountain served as governor 2006-2007 and 2015-2017. He oversaw the completion of the Aamodt Water Settlement, the pueblo's water rights and the Indian Land Claims Settlement in 2006.

He has run his own state-tribal affairs consulting firm since 2018.