Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter was among more than 400 tribal leaders who attended a Tribal Nations Conference Thursday in Washington, D.C.

President Barack Obama delivered opening and closing remarks and participated in an interactive discussion with tribal leaders.

The conference provided leaders from the 564 federally-recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the president and representatives from his administration. Each federally-recognized tribe was invited to send one representative to the conference.

The meeting was at the U.S. Department of Interior.

Halbritter and a small group of tribal leaders from across the country also met at the White House Aug. 31. The purpose of that meeting was for the White House to consult on a government-to-government basis with tribal leaders to improve communications.