About Us
Serving Indian Country
The Office of Tribal Relations has many roles serving Indian Country, including:
- Intergovernmental - Leads the Department’s vision to support and enhance government-to-government relations between USDA and Federally recognized Tribal governments;
- Advisor to the Secretary - Provides counsel to the Secretary on policies related to or impacting Indian Tribes;
- Facilitator – Enables tribes, tribal governments, tribal organizations and individuals to access programs and services within USDA and throughout Federal agencies;
- Catalyst – Streamlines processes and develops opportunities to address policy and program complexities, programs and services that support the needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives; and,
- Consultation, Coordination and Collaboration Lead - Directs Department for the implementation of Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” including the continual refinement of the consultation process to ensure robust partnerships that will respect and preserve Tribal sovereignty.
Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) Contacts
Betsy Rakola, Acting Director
Administrative Team
Elena Krajeski,771-216-2277, Administrative Officer
Ariel Williams, 202-934-8337, Administrative Assistant
Tribal.Relations@usda.gov, general mailbox
Program Team
Jeff Harris, 202-768-0812, Program Analyst, Food, Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative, Research, Consultation, and Youth
Josiah Griffin, 202-720-1999, Program Analyst, Economic Development and Food Systems
Taylor Schad, 202-875-9236, Program Analyst, Forest Service and Natural Resources
Audre Etsitty, 202-389-2534, Program Analyst, Farm and Conservation Programs
Jim Wabindato, 202-805-2208, Special Advisor, Tribal Agricultural Lands
Tribal College and Outreach Team
Lawrence Shorty, 202-870-8035, Director, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Program
Lisa Yellow Lugar, 202-845-5646, TCU Program Deputy Director/Tribal Liaison, Great Plains Region
Kellen Palmer, 202-308-3684, Tribal Liaison, Central Plains Region
Raymond Benally, 202-360-8087, Tribal Liaison, Southwest Region
Ryhal Rowland, 202-280-8355, Tribal Liaison, Rocky Mountain Region
