President Barack Obama assured American Indians on Thursday that they have a place in his White House and on his agenda, telling tribal leaders their marginalized community deserves more from its government.

"I get it. I'm on your side," Obama told the largest gathering of tribal leaders in U.S. history.

Obama devoted part of his own time Thursday and even more of his administration's attention toward renewing relations with American Indians. He opened a conference that drew leaders from 386 tribal nations - the first meeting of its kind in 15 years - and he ordered every Cabinet agency to take more steps toward more cooperation.

The effort amounted to a campaign promise kept by Obama, who got significant support from Native Americans on his way to the White House. It comes as American Indians remain entrenched in a class-action lawsuit against the federal government, claiming the government has long swindled them out of land royalties.

Obama said he didn't blame tribal leaders for skepticism about another politician offering hopeful words. But he said he has no interest in going through the motions of just holding a summit with them.

The president seemed to connect best when he told his audience that he was like them: an "outsider" who grew up without a father, moved around a lot, and understood what it was like to struggle and be ignored.

"You will not be forgotten as long as I'm in this White House," Obama said to a sustained ovation.

Whether that promise results in action over the next few years will be the test. In a question-and-answer session, audience members pressed Obama for government help on a litany of matters, from more respect for sovereignty rights to environmental cleanup to concerns about offshore drilling.