President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Gila Crossing Community School on the Gila River Indian Community in Laveen Village, Arizona, on October 25, 2024. Photo: White House
With just a few weeks left in his term, President Joe Biden is hosting the White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C.
Biden revived the summit after taking office in January 2021. His administration has since held one every year, with the final of his term set for December 9.
“I’m proud to have re-established the White House Council on Native American Affairs, relaunched the White House Tribal Nations Summit and taken historic steps to improve tribal consultation,” Biden said during a visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona on October 25.
I’m proud to have re-established the White House Council on Native American Affairs, relaunched the Tribal Nations Summit, and taken historic steps to improve Tribal consultation.
Together, we’ve made some of the most significant investments in Native communities in our history. pic.twitter.com/oYPVsIHRbd
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 25, 2024
The Department of the Interior will once again host the summit at its main building in Washington, D.C. Each of the 574 federally recognized tribes has been invited to send one representative to the meeting, which typically features remarks from Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, along with presentations and panels with members of the cabinet.
“This annual Summit is at the core of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to
our Nation-to-Nation relationship with Tribal Nations,” a Dear Tribal Leader Letter states. “The Summit will feature new Administration announcements and updates in the Administration’s work to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
“The Summit will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the transformational and lasting actions that President Biden and Vice President Harris have taken to support Indian Country in partnership with Tribal Nations,” the November 20 letter continues.
Dear Tribal Leader Letter: White House Tribal Nations Summit
In 2021, the summit took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person meetings were held at Interior’s building in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, 2022 and 2023, the summit was held over two days. This year’s event is only taking place December 9, although a handful of government agencies are hosting events in D.C. on December 10.
Biden was serving as vice president when then-president Barack Obama initiated the very first White House Tribal Nations Conference. Subsequent meetings took place every year of the Obama administration, from 2009 through 2016.
Former president Donald Trump, a Republican, did not hold similar meetings with tribal nations during his first term in the White House. After defeating Harris in the presidential election last month, he has not discussed his plans for Indian Country once he takes office on January 20, 2025.
For those unable to attend the White House Tribal Nations Summit in person, a livestream will be available from the Department of the Interior.
