Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard island in Massachusetts, was appointed March 17 to the Department of Homeland Security advisory council.

Andrews-Maltais is among more than 30 new members on the council, which serves as the principal external advisory body to the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

“These distinguished leaders have agreed to serve our country as members of the Homeland Security advisory council at a critically important time not only for our nation, but also for the world,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

The Council convened its first meeting March 21.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on such prestigious advisory council doing such important work,” Andrews-Maltais said in a statement. “The Department of Homeland Security has a broad portfolio encompassing a wide area, with a tremendous responsibility for the safety and security of the American public. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with such an impressive and respected team of esteemed professionals. I look forward to contributing where I can.”

Andrews-Maltais’s experience on the federal level includes being appointed during the Obama administration as the first tribal leader to be senior advisor to the assistant secretary of Indian Affairs.