doi:10.7916/kqz8-1b47Oral history interview with Ken Salazar, 2020Salazar, Kenoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesEnergy security--Political aspects--United StatesConservation of natural resources--Political aspects--United StatesIndian country (United States law)BP Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Oil Spill, 2010Salazar, KenObama, BarackUnited States. Department of the InteriorUnited StatesUnited States. Bureau of Indian AffairsAntiquities Act of 1906White House Tribal Nations ConferenceKen Salazar reflects on his career in American public affairs, and discusses his service in the Obama administration as U.S. secretary of the interior from 2009 to 2013. Salazar recounts his career in politics prior to Obama's election in 2008, and shares memories of his service alongside Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate in the 109th and 110th congresses. Salazar speaks widely about the operations of the U.S. Department of the Interior and his approach to his role, and he focuses on his three priority portfolio areas: the pursuit of American energy independence, the administration's conservation agenda, and government-to-government relations between the U.S. and tribal nations. He details notable events, issues, and initiatives with which he was closely involved, including the Cobell v. Salazar class action litigation and settlement processes; the administration's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; annual White House Tribal Nations Conferences; the use of the Antiquities Act and the creation of new national monuments and wilderness areas; the construction of monuments in commemoration of women, people of color, and minority histories; the America's Great Outdoors program and efforts to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of American public lands; and the management of leases for fossil fuel exploration and development on public lands. Also discussed are Salazar's personal relationship with Obama, Salazar's involvement in immigration reform legislative initiatives, organizational changes to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the increased polarization of Washington politics over the course of Salazar's career