During the Obama Administration Indian Country leadership has had opportunity to be more engaged with federal policy and law making than most presidential administrations in recent times. White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs Jodi Gillette explains the administration works to align itself and balance with the needs for Indian Country and Presidential executive authority is allowed to provide to Tribes. Gillette’s position along with White House Office of Public Engagement Deputy Associate Counsel Raina Thiele (a position formerly held by Charles Galbraith) work to facilitate Indian Country input on legislation and uphold the trust responsibility the federal government has promised to Tribes.

The Obama administration has taken strides to uphold the trust responsibility by creating positions in the administrations like Jodi and Raina’s as well as the White House Council on Native Affairs, and moving cabinet secretaries to engage and consult Indian Country. “My role is completely the invention of this President (Obama). My role really is to advise the President and the senior staff on Native American needs, issues, and challenges. That is something that had never existed before,” Gillette explained to the USET Board of Directors.