Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, tribal leaders and organizations in Arizona praised Biden’s work as president and his investments in Indian Country.
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis expressed his gratitude for Biden on social media, saying that GRIC deeply appreciates President Biden’s unwavering commitment to Indigenous communities.
“His historic investments and support are a lasting legacy that will transform our Community and so many others across Indian Country,” he said.
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Biden’s exit from the presidential race comes after a weekslong pressure campaign from Democratic Party leaders following his poor performance in a June debate against former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s nominee.
After withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Biden announced his support and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee.
Biden is one of the few presidents in American history to provide overwhelming support for Indian Country in various ways.
His administration brought back the White House Council on Native American Affairs, which was inactive during Trump’s administration. He also relaunched the White House Tribal Nations Summits, where tribal leaders from across Indian Country gather to discuss important issues impacting their communities.
Following Biden’s announcement Sunday, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said he is deeply grateful for Biden’s “resilient leadership for Indian Country.”
“President Biden has been a steadfast champion for tribes across the United States,” Nygren said. “His legacy will be etched in history with hope and grace, as he stands among the most impactful presidents.”
According to the White House, the Biden administration has taken steps over the past three years to strengthen its relationship with tribal nations across the country and continues to work to understand their communities’ needs and priorities.
The Biden administration has made record-setting investments in tribal nations and Indigenous communities through the Investing in America Agenda, according to the White House, and as part of the American Rescue Plan, the administration has made the largest ever direct federal investment in Indian Country.
Some of those investments can be seen within tribes across Arizona, including several Indian Water Rights Settlements.
In February, the Ak-Chin Indian Community hosted federal leaders by giving them a tour of their community so they could see the tribe’s work firsthand utilizing federal funding. The tribe received $44.5 million from the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund.
In May, the Colorado River Indian Tribes finalized their water rights settlement, which allowed the tribe to finally be recognized as a central party in all future decisions regarding their rights to the Colorado River.
Indivisible Tohono co-founder April Ignacio said the Biden administration has supported Indigenous communities in various ways, including the appointment of Deb Haalnd to serve as the Secretary of Interior and supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which helps Indigenous communities continue the fight for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
She said having leaders that support Indigenous-focused policies, such as the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools, is important because it benefits tribes and their future.
“We know too well if Trump is elected back into office what that could mean and how catastrophic it will be for tribes,” Ignacio said.
Biden has appointed several Indigenous people to top positions throughout the federal government. The most notable is when he appointed Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, as the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, making her the first Native American to serve in a secretarial role in a presidential cabinet.
Other top appointments include Bryan Newland from the Bay Mills Indian Community, who serves as the assistant secretary of Indian affairs for the Interior Department, and Arlando Teller from the Navajo Nation, who serves as the assistant secretary for tribal government affairs from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Teller is also a former Arizona legislator.
Additional appointments include Marilynn Malerba, from the Mohegan Tribe, as United States treasurer, and Charles Sams, from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, as the director of the National Parks Service.
“We have to believe the work Joe Biden has supported in Indian Country will continue to flourish,” Ignacio said. “We are thankful for his leadership and cracking the door for Native representation in the highest level of the government.”
With Biden now out of the 2024 presidential race, Arizona Native Vote Executive Director Jaynie Parrish said Native voters need to remember that their vote still matters.
“We appreciate the record of this administration for bringing Indigenous voices and decision-makers to the forefront and lead,” Parrish said. “They established a high bar and we challenge any elected official and administration to do the same, if not exceed it.”
“Indigenous voters across the board will have a lot of say and power,” she added. “We want every voter to use that power and exercise their right to vote-not just for the presidential candidate, but for every office down-ballot.”