JUNE 26, 2013

OBAMA ESTABLISHES WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS

Executive Order (Order) 13647, creating the White House (WH) Council on Native American Affairs (Council), established “a national policy to ensure that the Federal government engages in a true and lasting government-to-government relationship” with tribal nations. The Order represented an important commitment to: Effective tribal policy development coordinated with the WH Domestic Policy Council; increased engagement with tribal nations and Native peoples through the WH Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; effective and efficient consultation under Executive Order 13175 of 2000 (Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments); and the ongoing success of the annual WH Tribal Nations Summit. The Council had been a top priority of tribal leaders from the very earliest days of the Obama Administration. Donald Trump’s Administration failed to reestablish the Council; however, it was restored in 2021 by President Biden.

Sources:

3 CFR 13647 - Executive Order 13647 of June 26, 2013. Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs.  Retrieved 3/29/2023, 3 CFR 13647 - Executive Order 13647 of June 26, 2013. Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs - Content Details - CFR-2014-title3-vol1-eo13647 (govinfo.gov)

“NCAI Statement on President Obama’s Executive Order Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs,” National Congress of American Indians.  Retrieved 3/29/2023, NCAI Statement on President Obama’s Executive Order Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs | NCAI

Photo:  U.S. Department of the Interior, undated. Public Domain. Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs Takes Action to Implement Reforms to Correctional Program | Indian Affairs (bia.gov)