Native American Appointees Serving in the Biden Administration Indian Country applauds the Biden Administration’s decisions to restore and elevate official positions throughout the federal government to improve tribal government access to federal decision-making. The Administration has begun to appoint key officials in the various agencies who will be dedicated to developing and implementing Indian Affairs policies for the coming term. Below is a listing of Native Americans appointed and nominated by President Biden to serve in his administration. White House Appointments Elizabeth “Libby” Washburn (Chickasaw Nation), Special Assistant to the President for Native Affairs - Domestic Policy Counsel (DPC) – Ms. Washburn previously served in the Obama-Biden Interior Department. She also served as State Director and Legislative Director for Senator Jeff Bingaman. In her current position, Libby advises President Biden on Native issues as the DPC works to drive the President’s domestic agenda in Congress and throughout the federal agencies to ensure that policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President’s stated goals. Paawee Rivera (Pueblo of Pojoaque), White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (OIA) – Mr. Rivera previously served as the Western Coalitions Director for the Biden-Harris campaign. Prior to this role, PaaWee served as Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Western Political Director. In 2018, he also served on Senator Warren’s campaign as her Colorado State Director and Special Advisor during the 2020 Presidential cycle. PaaWee serves as the primary liaison between the White House and all 574 federally recognized tribes. He will support the president’s commitment to strengthening tribal sovereignty and advancing the Nation-to-Nation relationship. Morgan Rodman (Navajo Nation/Osage Nation), Executive Director – White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) – Mr. Rodman enters this role after previously serving as the Executive Director of WHCNAA under the Obama Administration. After the Trump Administration transition, Morgan served as the Acting Director of the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development. With Secretary Haaland as Chair, Morgan’s experience and previous leadership will help lead the Administration’s “all-of-government” approach to Native issues, prioritizing strengthening the Nation-to-Nation relationship with Tribal governments. Dr. Jill Jim (Navajo), COVID Advisory Board – Dr. Jim was recommended to the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Advisory Board by Navajo Nation President, Jonathan Nez, for her critical work as the Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Department of Health. Dr. Jim was appointed to the role of Executive Director in 2019. Under the leadership of the Board Chairs, former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. David Kessler, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Yale University Dean Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Jill will be a key voice in ensuring Indian Country’s needs for this board are heard. Department of the Interior Lawrence “Larry” Roberts (Oneida Nation), Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Interior - Mr. Roberts previously served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs (AS-IA) and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs during the Obama Administration. Most recently, Larry was a professor at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Prior to his roles as Acting AS-IA and Principal Deputy AS- IA, Larry served as General Counsel of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Larry is the first Native Chief of Staff for the Department of Interior and his breadth of experience working in the Federal government for Indian Country will be pinnacle to Secretary Haaland’s team.
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