Lillian Sparks Robinson
2021 ALI Fellow
Lillian Sparks Robinson brings to ALI an award-winning career dedicated to uplifting and empowering indigenous people and tribal communities. A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she was appointed by President Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, as commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, Lillian worked on programs and policy impacting Native languages, education, and social and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Previously, she served as executive director of the National Indian Education Association and staff attorney at the National Congress of American Indians. Lillian owns and operates Wopila Consulting, through which she advises federal, state, and tribal government agencies.