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Blog Posts Related to the Native American Community

Learn more about the work President Obama is doing with the Native American community.

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A Renewed Era of Federal-Tribal Relations

Today the White House is releasing a report outlining some of the successes of this Administration while working on behalf of Tribes.
January 2, 2017 at 4:47 PM ET by Karen Diver, Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs in the White House Domestic Policy Council

Using Evidence as a Guide to Better Serve Native Youth

Here’s a first look at some of the progress Federal agencies have made by taking a coordinated, cross-agency approach to better serve Native youth:
September 26, 2016 at 12:15 PM ET by Ali Zaidi

Asked and Answered: A President for Indian Country

Today, President Obama hosts his eighth and final Tribal Nations Conference. Read a letter from one tribal leader on what President Obama's work has meant to her.
September 26, 2016 at 8:30 AM ET by Zach Duffy

Building Prosperous & Resilient Tribal Nations

The Administration is releasing a progress report outlining the Administration’s work in Indian Country in 2015.
August 15, 2016 at 11:38 AM ET by Karen Diver

Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls: Commitments from the North American Leaders Summit

The United States, Canada, and Mexico have resolved to work together to share lessons learned and improve coordination on violence against indigenous women and girls.
July 28, 2016 at 8:00 AM ET by Carrie Bettinger-Lopez

Watch and Engage: The White House Tribal Nations Conference and Youth Town Hall

Follow along as President Obama hosts the 2015 White House Tribal Nations Conference and roundtable with Native youth.
November 5, 2015 at 1:54 PM ET by Kori Schulman

The President’s Trip to Alaska: Reflections from an Alaskan Staffer at the White House

Alaska Native Raina Thiele reflects on the President's historic and unprecedented three-day trip to Alaska.
October 5, 2015 at 5:18 PM ET by Raina Thiele

West Wing Week 9/4/15 or, "Let's Go to Alaska!"

Welcome to a very special Dispatches edition of West Wing Week, where we go behind the scenes as the President travels in Alaska.
September 4, 2015 at 4:47 PM ET by Hope Hall

A Historic Time for Tribal Youth

After visiting Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota, the President asked his staff to find new avenues of opportunity for Native youth.
July 20, 2015 at 1:36 PM ET by Raina Thiele, Tracy Goodluck, and Alison Grigonis

The White House Launches the “State Challenge to Support Native Youth”

The White House is launching the State Challenge to Support Native Youth, a part of the Administration’s Generation Indigenous Initiative.
July 16, 2015 at 11:11 AM ET by Jerry Abramson

Ensuring that All Native Youth Can Reach Their Full Potential

June 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM ET by Secretary Sally Jewell

Expanding Opportunity for Native Youth

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts a meeting on creating opportunity for Native youth at the White House.
April 16, 2015 at 9:42 PM ET by Ken Meyer

American Indians and Alaska Natives: How to Use Your New Health Insurance

March 13, 2015 at 1:48 PM ET by Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., M.P.H.

Creative Entrepreneurial Energy, Smart Economic Development, and Cutting Edge Innovation at the Reservation Economic Summit

March 13, 2015 at 10:59 AM ET by Javier Saade

The White House Launches the “Generation Indigenous Tribal Leader Challenge”

The White House announces the next step in the Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative with a Gen-I Tribal Leader Challenge.
March 11, 2015 at 2:05 PM ET by Jodi Gillette and Raina Thiele

Making Native Communities Safer

March 11, 2015 at 11:14 AM ET by Cecilia Muñoz and Tina Tchen

Investing in the Future of Tribal Nations

The White House released its 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference Progress Report, Investing in the Future of Tribal Nations. The report highlights the Administration’s progress and accomplishments in Indian Country over the past year.
February 27, 2015 at 5:54 PM ET by Jodi Gillette

Young Native Americans Share School Culture Experiences with Secretary Duncan

The U.S. Department of Education recently invited 15 young Native Americans to attend a Student Voices Session with Secretary Duncan.
February 18, 2015 at 7:48 PM ET by U.S. Department of Education

Affordable Care Act: Enrollment Opportunity for American Indians and Alaska Natives

February 13, 2015 at 7:09 PM ET by Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., M.P.H.

The White House Launches the “Generation Indigenous Native Youth Challenge”

The Generation Indigenous Native Youth Challenge invites Native youth and organizations across the country to become a part of the Administration’s Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative by joining the National Native Youth Network — a White House effort in partnership with the Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
February 12, 2015 at 6:32 PM ET by Jodi Gillette and Raina Thiele

Affordable Care Act – National Tribal Day of Action

Across the nation, IHS facilities held events to provide American Indian and Alaska Natives with information and help in understanding the Affordable Care Act and their potential benefits in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
February 2, 2015 at 6:33 PM ET by Indian Health Service

"Gen-I" Ambassadors Celebrated at White House Tribal Nations Conference and in MTV Rebel Music Film

Launching Generation Indigenous (“Gen-I”), 37 high-school aged “Gen-I” Native Youth Ambassadors attend the White House to engage with the President, Vice President, and Cabinet Officials representing the White House Council on Native American Affairs on key issues facing tribes. "Gen-I" is a new initiative focused on removing the barriers that stand between Native youth and their opportunity to succeed using a comprehensive, culturally appropriate approach.
January 21, 2015 at 6:08 PM ET by Raina Thiele and Jodi Gillette

Student Voices Session: Shining a Spotlight on Native Youth in Foster Care

Fifteen current and former foster care youth representing American Indian and Alaska Native nations from across the United States sat down with Secretaries Arne Duncan and Sally Jewell to discuss the unique struggles that Native youth face.
December 18, 2014 at 3:03 PM ET by Seanna Pieper-Jordan

When Tribes Compete, Tribes Can Succeed

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez discusses the Labor Department's work for tribal communities.
December 4, 2014 at 6:17 PM ET by Secretary Thomas E. Perez

Helping to Boost Business Development for Native American Entrepreneurs

Native American Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.
December 1, 2014 at 10:19 AM ET by Christopher James

Responding to Sexual Violence in Indian Country

Sexual violence is a devastating and pervasive problem throughout the nation, and its shocking prevalence on tribal lands is especially troubling. Particularly in recent years, the Department of Justice has made it a top priority to put an end to that unacceptable status quo.
November 18, 2014 at 11:10 AM ET by Eric Holder

Expanding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

Secretary Perez travels to Alaska to meet with leaders from the Cook Inlet Tribal Council to see how the Department of Labor's investments − through grants from the department’s Division of Indian and Native American Programs − are creating opportunity for native peoples.
July 25, 2014 at 2:26 PM ET by Jeremy Bishop

President Obama Engages Native Youth at My Brother’s Keeper Town Hall

The President highlights ways that Native American organizations and communities can be part of new commitments in support of the My Brother's Keeper Initiative.
July 21, 2014 at 5:29 PM ET by Raina Thiele

Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience Announces Tribal Climate Resilience Program

At the final meeting of the White House State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, the Administration announced the new Tribal Climate Resilience Program to help tribes prepare for climate change.
July 16, 2014 at 7:47 PM ET by Raina Thiele and Susan Ruffo

AmeriCorps Expands Presence in Tribal Communities

As part of the Obama administration’s commitment to create lasting change in Indian Country, we are pleased to announce $3 million in AmeriCorps grants to support Native American communities.
July 16, 2014 at 4:37 PM ET by Jodi Gillette and Wendy Spencer