Navajo is new Native link at White House

Being nervous on your first day at work is normal, but imagine if your boss is President Barack Obama and your new office is in the West Wing of the White House.

When Charlie Galbraith arrived to begin his new job in the White House Office of Public Engagement on Feb. 8, it just happened to be on a day when the president dropped in for a visit.

Galbraith shook Obama's hand and renewed their acquaintance - he had worked on Obama's presidential campaign - before opening his portfolio and getting down to business as an associate director of the Office of Public Engagement and deputy associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The Office of Public Engagement, along with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, serves as the avenue through which both ordinary Americans and government officials - from local to tribal - can participate in and inform the work of the president.

In essence, Galbraith, 31, serves as the front door to the White House for Indian Country.

He grew up in Phoenix and is Áshiihí (Salt Clan), born for Dághá Lichíí (Irish). His chei is Kinyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan).

He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Arizona State University.

During law school, Galbraith served as vice president of the Native American Law Students Association and clerked for the Native American Rights Fund in Washington, D.C.

He also previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona with a focus on white-collar crime and immigration cases.   "Instead of talking to a judge every day I'm talking to tribal leaders," he said.

He also worked as a legislative assistant to Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., for three years.

The transition from the Senate to the White House began after Galbraith was approached by a staff member of then Sen. Obama, who wanted to talk about Native American issues. Obama was considering a presidential run and he wanted to focus on groups that traditionally do not have a strong voice in the federal government.

Galbraith went on to serve in Obama's campaign as an organizer of the Native American Domestic Policy Committee, which was a nationwide group of tribal leaders and activists.

He understands that each of the 565 federally recognized tribes has different issues and is looking forward to learning about their cultures.

"They're going to keep me busy," he said of his mission to keep the president current on their issues.

Galbraith is taking over the position from Jodi Gillette, Standing Rock Sioux, who is now deputy assistant secretary for policy and economic development at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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