Jodi Gillette, Standing Rock Sioux, goes back to White House

Monday, April 30, 2012  

Jodi Gillette, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, is heading back to the White House, where she got her start three years ago.

Gillette is the Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs. She will advise President Barack Obama on Indian Country issues.

“Jodi Gillette will be an important member of my Administration’s efforts to continue the historic progress we’ve made to strengthen and build on the government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations,” Obama said in a statement. “She has been a key member of my administration’s efforts for Indian Country, and will continue to ensure that Native American issues will always have a seat at the table."

Gillette first joined the administration in 2009. She worked within the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, where she helped tribes navigate the federal agencies.

She then moved to the Interior Department, where she served as deputy assistant secretary for policy and economic development for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Gillette succeeds Kim Teehee, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, who was the first person to hold the Native advisor position at the White House.

“Kim Teehee has led a government-wide team that has made dramatic progress on Native American issues," said Pete Rouse, the counselor to Obama. "From stronger government-to-government consultation, to the settlement of longstanding disputes, to strengthening economic growth and public safety in Indian Country, Kim has helped set the bar very high for all administrations to come.”

Get the Story:
S.D. gains voice on tribal issues (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/29)
Jodi Gillette gets new post at White House (The Bismarck Tribune 4/28)

Related Stories:
More changes in Obama's Indian team as Echo Hawk departs (4/26)