Schatz applauds return of White House policy council on Native American affairs

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement on today’s announcement that Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice will soon convene the first White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) meeting of the Biden-Harris administration.

“Reviving the Council sends a strong signal that this administration is committed to hearing from Native leaders and supporting Native communities,” said Chairman Schatz. “This Council will ensure Tribal consultation continues to guide federal decision-making and facilitate a whole-of-government approach to addressing Tribal priorities. I look forward to working with the Council on our shared commitment to upholding our federal trust and treaty responsibility to sovereign Tribal Nations and Native communities.”