fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

WASHINGTON — The White House Tribal Nations Summit began last Wednesday morning. During the afternoon the attendees heard from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in separate appearances. 

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland addresses the audience. 

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Monday was not able to attend in-person. In a press release on Monday, the Interior Department said Secretary Haaland would abide by CDC guidelines to isolate. However, she participated at the summit virtually. President Biden was introduced by Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community) due to Secretary Haaland's in-person absence. 

Some 400 tribal leaders and leaders of national Native American organizations were in attendance. 

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who was inaugurated on January 10, 2023, attended his first White House tribal summit. On Thursday, the Department of Energy announced two new MOUs signed by several federal deapartments and agenices to create structured support for the Hopi Tribe and amends the existing Navajo Nation MOU with federal agencies to help both tribes and their communities transition to clean energy.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren

Photos by Levi Rickert for Native News Online 

More Stories Like This

South Dakota Governor’s Banishment of Nearly 20% of State Faces Fallout from Funding
Native News Weekly (May 12, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby leads Ribbon Cutting for Lakecrest Casino and Hotel in Carter County
North Dakota's 180-Degree Turn in Redistricting Case Sparks Outcry from MHA Nation
Navajo Speaker Curley: The Issue of Missing & Murdered Diné Rooted in Colonization

These stories must be heard.

This May, we are highlighting our coverage of Indian boarding schools and their generational impact on Native families and Native communities. Giving survivors of boarding schools and their descendants the opportunity to share their stories is an important step toward healing — not just because they are speaking, but because they are being heard. Their stories must be heard. Help our efforts to make sure Native stories and Native voices are heard in 2024. Please consider a recurring donation to help fund our ongoing coverage of Indian boarding schools. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.

 
About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].