President Obama held the first annual summit in 2008, but the event was discontinued under President Trump. On Oct. 15, 2021, Secretary Haaland and President Biden reinstated the White House Tribal Nations Summits by pledging more federal collaboration with tribes in managing public lands and in environmental decision-making with the use of Indigenous knowledge. As part of the effort, two White House offices also released a memorandum acknowledging the importance of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and committing to elevate its role in decision-making.
The Biden administration held their second annual White House Tribal Nations Summit on Dec. 1, 2022, with leaders from 300 sovereign nations in attendance. Many federal agencies announced new rules, policies, and guidance to “strengthen Nation-to-Nation relationships”, including new governmentwide guidance on using Indigenous Knowledge.
During the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, DOI announced new policies to facilitate “regular and meaningful consultation” with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes.The consultation policy and procedures required Department staff undergo training before participating in a consultation, prioritize statutory or regulatory waivers when in the best interest of Tribes, and required a record of consultation, among other updates. DOI also released new policies and procedures specific to Alaska Native Corporations.