Our Mission
Prosperity and resilience for all tribal nations is the vision of the White House Council on Native American Affairs. The WHCNAA endeavors toward this vision through collaborative inter-agency work across the Executive Branch, regular and meaningful Tribal-Federal engagement, and by fostering an all-of-government approach in meeting treaty and trust obligations to Tribes.
National Tribal Critical Minerals Initiative Consultation
In February 2021, President Biden announced an Executive Order on securing America’s supply chains including critical minerals--to further our nation’s national security and climate goals including a transition net zero emissions economy by 2050. In response to several Tribal inquiries about the Administration's actions on critical minerals, the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) created a Critical Minerals Working Group.
In conjuction with DOI and DOE, the WHCNAA will conduct (4) Tribal Leader Consultations on the September 2023 Recommendations to Improve Mining on Public Lands report.
Lower 48 Tribes
Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Location: In-person and virtual
Registration Link: Here
All Tribes & Alaska Natives
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm ET
Location: Virtual only
Registration Link: Here
Alaska Native Villages
Date: Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm AT
Location: In-person and virtual
Registration Link: Here
Alaska Native Corporations
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm AT
Location: In-person and virtual
Registration Link: Here
Materials below include more detailed Consultation location information, framing papers and slides, as well as outlining agency roles in critical minerals and recommendations from the above report. Questions and written comments, due August 31, can be directed to: whcnaa@bia.gov.
DTLL | Report | Framing Paper | Framing Slides | Recommendations | Consultation Topics
Tribal Leader Consultation on Budget Guidance per Executive Order 14112
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the White House Domestic Policy Council, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the White House Council on Native American Affairs invites Tribal Leaders to a virtual consultation with Biden-Harris Administration leadership on Monday, July 8, 2024, to discuss Section 4(a) of Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.
Date: Monday, July 8, 2024
Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm ET
Location: Virtual
Registration Link: here
During this consultation, Biden-Harris Administration leadership will seek Tribal leader feedback on important considerations to include as part of the guidance to federal agencies on how to assess funding needs for Tribal Nations. Tribal leaders are invited to ask questions, provide
comments and reccomendations. Please provide written comments and reccomendations by Friday, August 9, 2024. Please submit written comments via email at whcnaa@bia.gov.
Tribal Leader Engagement Session on Executive Order 14112
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the White House Domestic Policy Council, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the White House Council on Native American Affairs invites Tribal Leaders to a virtual engagement session with Biden-Harris Administration leadership to discuss Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.
Date: Monday, January 22, 2024
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm ET
Location: Virtual
Register Closed
During this engagement session, Biden-Harris Administration leadership and staff from the White House and Federal Departments will discuss the substance and implementation process the Administration is planning for EO 14112. Tribal leaders are invited to ask questions, provide
comments, and share their perspectives on how EO 14112 can best meet the needs of their Tribal Nations.
The agenda for the session is included in the Dear Tribal Leader Letter below. Tribal leaders are welcome to send any questions regarding the session to whcnaa@bia.gov
DTLL | EO Fact Sheet | Presentation Slides
Events have moved to the new "Events" section below. Click on the "View All Events" button below to a view all events, past, current, and future.
Who We Serve
The White House Council on Native American Affairs was established to improve the coordination of federal programs and the use of available federal resources for the benefit of tribal communities.
The Council will ensure that tribal consultation—grounded in the special nation-to-nation relationship between the U.S. government and tribes—continues to guide federal decision-making in addressing the needs of Native peoples.
Key Dates
New Initiatives
Tribal Treaty Rights
Tribal Homelands
Sacred Sites
Native Language
Executive Order
Events
WHCNAA Committees
The WHCNAA Chair convenes the principals at least three times a year per Executive Order 13647 (June 2013). Recognizing Tribes have equity in all of President Biden’s four priorities – tackling COVID-19, addressing climate change, advancing racial equity, and supporting strong economic recovery – the Council formed the following six Committee topics to carry out the Council’s initiatives:
The Committees intend to produce deliverables and tools, make policy recommendations, and find ways to leverage resources and expertise among agencies to improve services to Indian Country. The Committees meet regularly and provide reports at each of the WHCNAA Principals meetings.
About the White House Council on Native American Affairs
President Obama established the WHCNAA in 2013 via Executive Order 13647 to improve the coordination of federal programs and use of available federal resources for the benefit of Tribes and Tribal communities.
Co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, WHCNAA membership consists of heads of federal Departments, Agencies, and Offices. An Executive Director and inter-agency staff carry forward WHCNAA priorities grounded in the trust responsibility and treaty rights and informed by consistent and substantive engagement with Tribal Nations. The collaboration between the WHCNAA and Tribal leaders sets the foundation for effective federal investments in Tribal communities and for effective policies that impact Tribes.
The WHCNAA also supports and organizes the annual White House Tribal Leaders Summit to provide an opportunity for the leaders from all federally recognized Tribes to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of the Administration.
