Appoint an American Indian policy adviser

President Barack Obama named Kimberly Teehee as senior policy adviser for Native American affairs and a member of his Domestic Policy Council. Obama made the announcement via taped remarks to the 2009 National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Conference on June 15.

"She is rightly recognized as an outstanding advocate for Indian Country, and she will provide a direct interface at the highest level of my administration, assuring a voice for Native Americans during policymaking decisions," Obama said.

Because she is an adviser to the president, Teehee does not require Senate confirmation.

Teehee's previous position was senior adviser to the U.S. House of Representatives Native American Caucus co-chair, Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Obama also announced a Tribal Nations Conference, a meeting to be held at the White House later this year.

We rate this Promise Kept.

First lady Michelle Obama visited the Interior Department on Feb. 9, 2009, and told the department's workers that President Obama would soon appoint an adviser for Native American issues.

"Barack has pledged to honor the unique government-to-government relationship between tribes and the federal government," she said. "And he'll soon appoint a policy adviser to his senior White House staff to work with tribes and across the government on these issues such as sovereignty, health care, education — all central to the well-being of Native American families and the prosperity of tribes all across this country."

Her remarks and photographs of the visit were subsequently posted to the White House Web site. Mrs. Obama has been visiting federal agencies to greet federal workers and thank them for their service.

Her comments indicate President Obama is getting close to making the appointment, so we rate this promise In the Works.