Indian Country Today interviewed Pete Rouse, the chief of staff to President Barack Obama. Rause worked for former Rep. Jim Abourezk (D-South Dakota) and former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota).

"Indian Country Today: Many folks in Indian country know you worked for former Sen. Daschle. Did that experience help inform you on Indian issues?
Pete Rouse: It certainly did and, actually, my first job. … I’ve been working in government, primarily on the Hill, for 39 years, and my first job was in 1971 with Jim Abourezk, who was a congressman from South Dakota. That was my first exposure to Native American issues and, actually, Tom Daschle and I were staffers together for two years with Jim Abourezk in the Senate, when he was a senator. Then, for 19 years, I was chief of staff for Tom in the House and Senate. So, that’s how I became espoused of Indian issues – and, hopefully, somewhat knowledgeable.

ICT: When you encounter Indian policy issues, do they come naturally for you, or do you need a lot of outside briefing – not that there’s anything wrong with that.
PR: Well, I need a lot of outside briefing on everything. [Laughs] I am familiar with these issues going way back to Wounded Knee in South Dakota in the early ’70s. Elouise Cobell, I’ve known since the ’80s when she was trying to reform the management of Indian trust. And, of course, in South Dakota, where you have Pine Ridge and Rosebud and Standing Rock – and a lot of the issues of unemployment, need for economic development, education, health care. … those were always prominent on Tom Daschle’s agenda, so I’ve been talking to tribal leaders and Native Americans for years.

ICT: Many Native Americans were excited this year by the passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, but there is worry that it could be repealed as part of the greater health reform package in the next Congress when the GOP takes over the House. Would the White House consider sending a strong signal that Title X, the IHCIA, is off limits?
PR: I think the president certainly would. The permanent authorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act was a big priority."

Get the Story:
Obama’s chief of staff supports improved Indian country outreach (Indian Country Today 12/16)