- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The White House Tribal Nations Summit brings together tribal nation leaders from the 574 federally recognized tribes and federal governement officials, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Pueblo Laguna) in a two-day nation-to-nation summit.
This summit fulfills a campaign promise made by the Biden-Harris ticket made during last year's presidential election.
White House Tribal Nations Summit Agenda
Day 1- Monday, November 15, 2021
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Eastern Time *All times are estimates and subject to change
Day 1 Tribal Nations Summit Streaming Link:
11:00 a.m. - Eastern Time
Welcome Remarks Secretary Deb Haaland- US Department of the Interior President Joe Biden First Lady Jill Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland
12:15 p.m. - Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Combatting Covid-19 in Indian Country Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Xavier Becerra- US Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Anthony Fauci- Chief Medical Officer to the President
1:25 p.m. - Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Native American Educations and Native Languages Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Miguel Cardona- US Department of Education Secretary Deb Haaland- US Department of the Interior
2:30 – Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Public Safety and Justice Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Deb Haaland- US Department of the Interior Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco- US Department of Justice Secretary Dennis McDonough- US Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Tom Vilsack- US Department of Agriculture White House Tribal Nations Summit Agenda
Day 2- Tuesday, November 16, 2021
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Eastern Time *All times are estimates and subject to change
Day 2 Tribal Nations Summit Streaming Link:
11:00 a.m. – Eastern Time
Welcome Remarks White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Rodriguez
11:00 a.m. – Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Climate Change Impacts and Solutions Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: White House Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory
12:20 p.m. – Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Tribal Treaty Rights and Sacred Lands Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland- Bureau of Indian Affairs Secretary Janet Yellen- US Department of the Treasury White House Domestic Policy Director Susan Rice
1:15 p.m. – Eastern Time
Administration Listening Session Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Deb Haaland- US Department of Interior Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Counsel Sam Bagenstos – Office of Management and Budget Special Assistant to the President Libby Washburn- White House
2:30 p.m. – Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Economic and Workforce Development Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Marty Walsh- US Department of Labor Administrator Isabella Guzman- Small Business Administration American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling
3:30 p.m. – Eastern Time
Policy Panel: Infrastructure, Housing, and Energy Featuring Tribal leaders in conversation with: Secretary Jennifer Granholm- US Department of Energy Secretary Pete Buttigieg- US Department of Transportation US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo Vice President Kamala Harris
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
WAPO's Dana Hedgpeth Selected as 2025 IJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award Winner
US Court of Appeals Deals Setback for Native American Voting Rights
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
