Tribal Leaders Meet With Obama

With more than 400 American Indian and Alaska Native leaders in attendance, President Barack Obama made good on his promise to meet with Indian country. hosting the meeting was held at the United States Department of Interior on Thursday.

Deemed one of the largest and most widely attended gatherings of tribal leaders in American history, Obama opened the dialogue by promising tribal leaders that the meeting held would build upon the foundation of his Administration’s commitment to work with the First Americans in a true nation-to-nation relationship with respect for tribal sovereignty.

President Obama told the crowd, “I want you to know that I’m absolutely committed to moving forward with you and forging a new and better future together. It is a commitment deeper than our unique nation-to-nation relationship. It is a commitment to getting the relationship right so that you can be a full partner in the American economy and so your children and your grandchildren can have an equal shot at pursuing the American dream.”

President Obama followed by signing a memorandum directing all federal agencies to develop an improved tribal consultation plan within the next 90 days.

In opening his welcome to Tribal leaders, Obama smiled as he referred to his campaign visits to Indian country by speaking about being adopted into the Crow Nation in Montana. “Only in America could the adopted son of Crow Indians grow up to be President of the United States.”

National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said, “President Obama is a man of his word. His dedication to honor Indian sovereignty, his respect for our treaties, and his actions towards developing a new nationto- nation policy, is a clear indication of that.”

“Obama’s has reaffirmed his Administration’s intent to forge a strong, more equitable partnership with Tribal nations. Now it is up to us. Tribal leadership must embrace this partnership and build upon it together. The results can only be positive. We can usher in new opportunities that will be to the advantage of Indian country, meeting the critical needs of our Indian people,” Stevens added.

Sitting in the company of the delegation representing the Haudenosaunee [Iroquois] people, including the Tadodaho of the Iroquois Confederacy, Chief Syd Hill, Stevens said, “Sitting along side some of the most powerful leaders in Indian country and in true dialogue with the Obama Administration was truly one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Chairman Stevens also sat with Rick Hill, Chairman of the Oneida Nation during the consultations with the White House. Stevens, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin continued, “Joining our [Oneida Nation] Chairman brought a greater strength to me. He is not only my friend, but a true advocate for Indian country.”

Stevens also commended the White House staff for the hard work in coordinating the historic Tribal Leaders meeting. “President Obama has placed experienced, dedicated and qualified Native American’s in his administration. They were successful in working hand in hand with Indian Country on behalf of the President of the United States to make this day a reality.”

Also participating in the meetings were Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Indian Health Service Director Yvette Roubideaux, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. This was an unprecedented collection of cabinet secretaries who came together to discuss important Tribal issues such as protection of natural resources, economic development, health, public safety, housing, and education.

At the end of the day, President Obama again addressed the gathered Tribal Leaders and said that this is not the end of the discussion, but merely the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with Indian Country.