"Jodi Archambault Gillette has been caught in a whirlwind schedule since President Barack Obama appointed her as the first American Indian to work in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

“It's probably the most challenging thing I've ever done,” said Gillette, deputy associate director for White House intergovernmental affairs. “It's a humbling experience. I'm just honored to be part of a historical time where our country has to pull together.”

After nearly a month on the job, Gillette has been thrust into a mediator role between hundreds of tribes and at least a dozen federal agencies. Her office likely will be a first stop for government-to-government consultations. “We're basically the front door of the White House,” she said on Monday. “We work with various governments, anywhere from state governments, governors, attorney generals and tribes.”

The first 30 days in Washington, D.C., have led the North Dakota native straight to work on the massive economic stimulus bill, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The recovery bill directs $2.5 billion to tribal economic projects. A majority of the money for tribes will be used by Health and Human Services, the Interior Department and its Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development."

Get the Story:
Gillette has busy first month in D.C. mediator role (The Missoulian 3/5)

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