12 Unforgettable Moments in Indian Country

Secretary Jewell delivers remarks at the 2016 White House Tribal Nation’s Conference -- her final address at the conference. As chair of the White House Council on Native American Affairs, Jewell consistently worked to strengthen government-to-government relationships with tribes, advance tribal self-determination and invest in the next generation to ensure a bright future for Indian Country. September 26, 2016, Washington, D.C.

Secretary Jewell puts pen to paper and signs an agreement that calls for continued collaborative implementation of the Land Buy Back Program with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Jewell signs the agreement alongside former Assistant Secretary -- Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn (left), and former Chairman of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes Ronald Trahan (right). January 30, 2014, Washington, D.C.

Cutting the tape to celebrate the landmark transfer of the Pueblo of Isleta Elementary School to tribal control, Secretary Jewell celebrates with school children and officials. It also marked the first transition enabled by the Obama Administration’s Blueprint for Reform promoting educational self-determination for tribal communities, and the President’s Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative to improve the lives of Native youth by removing barriers to their success. August 1, 2015, Isleta Pueblo, N.M.

Participating in the “Pow Wow sweat” during the second day of the 2016 White House Tribal Nation’s Conference. Jewell dances alongside Native youth at the Hubert Humphrey Building for the Tribal Youth Gathering. September 27, 2016, Washington, D.C. 

What’s for lunch? Jewell leans in to chat with youth at Cove Day School in Red Valley, Arizona. Jewell visited BIE-funded Cove Day School on the Navajo Reservation to help highlight the President’s work to better serve Native youth and mark recent budget gains for the benefit of school construction and maintenance. January 14, 2016, Red Valley, Arizona.

Taking on the trail. Jewell and several youth hike through Saguaro National Park as part of an Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) event. EKIP recognizes the role national parks play as a premiere provider of place-based education. November 18, 2015, Tucson, Arizona.

All smiles. Jewell walks into an auditorium on the campus of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College to deliver the 2016 commencement address. May 19, 2016, Duluth, Minnesota.

Chief Earl Old Person (third from right) of the Blackfeet Nation, honors Secretary Jewell with a tribal name “Faraway Woman” and delivers a blessing at a ceremony in Browning, Montana. Jewell was joined by Sen. Jon Tester (to her right), Blackfeet Tribal Council Chairman Harry Barns (left) and other tribal members and was draped with a tribal blanket. May 3, 2016, Browning, Montana. 

Secretary Jewell greets the late Billy Frank Jr.’s eldest sister during an event celebrating the renaming of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, in his honor. July 19, 2016, Olympia, Washington.

At the GLACIER conference in Alaska, Secretary Jewell, shares a laugh with Secretary of State John Kerry (center) and Arctic Youth Ambassadors: (left to right) Byron Nicholai, Barae Hirsch, James Chilcote, and Griffin Plush. The program brings together diverse youth from across Alaska to serve as ambassadors for their communities and country in building awareness at home and abroad about life in the Arctic. August 31, 2015, Anchorage, Alaska.

Secretary Jewell announced a package of regulatory initiatives intended to help tribal leaders to spur investment opportunities and economic development in Indian Country during her visit at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation. This trip was made just shortly after President Obama made his historic visit to the reservation. June 13, 2014, Fort Yates, N.D.

Klamath Tribe Chairman Don Gentry offers Secretary Jewell the traditional welcome blanket along the banks of Spring Creek at Collier Memorial State Park for the official signing of the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement. The historic agreement was the result of more than nine months of good-faith efforts from members of the Klamath Tribes and Upper Basin water users to develop solutions to water issues affecting the region. April 18, 2014, near Chiloquin, Oregon.