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DNC Native American Council Chair Issues Statement on Derogatory Comment by RNC Chair Michael Steele

January 8, 2010

It was the Native people who first consecrated the ground on which we live and grow, who first asked for bountiful harvest and protection from the elements. In exchange for this they promised to be good stewards of the land. They made the covenants that have insured that all in this country can have a chance to live, to grow and to flourish. Yet, it is the Native people who remain the most impoverished and the most disenfranchised in all of America.

The history and the problems that Native people remember and encounter are painful and are very real. The Obama administration has sought to engage them and good will come of it. The Republicans should seek to do the same. Instead, their Chairman makes light of their humanity publicly validating old attitudes and stereotypes created by those who oppressed and brutalized Native people. Chairman Steele's remarks were insensitive at best and have no place in a changing real world. They are cute but elitist and show his lack of substance. He epitomizes the Republican party of 2010 and those Native people Steele denigrates today should remember his Party in November. I certainly will.

Native Americans »

Cheyenne Reservation receives new Health Center

July 15, 2009

The Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation is the latest community to see progress and development as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In one of our country's poorest counties the reservation is receiving a long needed new health center. The new facility will not only bring new construction jobs to the county but also will create long term job needs to staff the various health offices. The new center will serve 15,000 members of the community.

House passes bill recognizing Indian tribes

June 3, 2009

The House today passed a bill recognizing seven Indian Tribes in North Carolina and Virginia. The move supports remarks made earlier this year by the President's administration;

Deputy Assistant Secretary George Skibine said in March that "there are rare circumstances when Congress should intervene and recognize a tribal group, and the case of the Lumbee Indians is one such rare case."

The Lumbee tribe in particular has generated significant support for their cause and passage of this legislation;

The Lumbees are recognized by the state and were partially recognized by the federal government in 1956, but at the same time Congress denied the Lumbee benefits given to other American Indians.

"What Congress started Congress should finish, that's why we are back here today," said Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., the bill's sponsor. "It's time for discrimination to end and for recognition to begin."

American Indian Tribes to Receive Stimulus Funding

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was in North Dakota recently to announce funding that will go to tribes. via the Pretty Bird Woman House blog;

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Saturday that $500 million in federal stimulus money would go to American Indian tribes across the nation for schools, housing, infrastructure improvements and job programs on reservations.

President Obama Signs SCHIP

February 4, 2009

President Barack Obama delivered remarks before signing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation that will cover an additional four million children of low income families and include the children of legal immigrants as well.

Full remarks below.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Children’s Health Insurance Program Bill Signing Washington, D.C. February 4, 2009

Today, with one of the first bills I sign – reauthorizing the Children’s Health Insurance Program – we fulfill one of the highest responsibilities we have: to ensure the health and well-being of our nation’s children.

It is a responsibility that has only grown more urgent as our economic crisis has deepened, health care costs have exploded, and millions of working families are unable to afford health insurance. Today in America, eight million children are still uninsured – more than 45 million Americans altogether.

It’s hard to overstate the toll this takes on our families: the sleepless nights worrying that someone’s going to get hurt, or praying that a sick child gets better on her own. The decisions that no parent should ever have to make – how long to put off that doctor’s appointment, whether to fill that prescription, whether to let a child play outside, knowing that all it takes is one accident, one injury, to send your family into financial ruin.

The families joining us today know these realities firsthand. When Gregory Secrest, from Martinsville, Virginia lost his job back in August, his kids lost their health care. When he broke the news to his family, his nine year-old son handed over his piggy bank with $4 in it, and told him, “Daddy, if you need it, you take it.”

This is not who we are. We are not a nation that leaves struggling families to fend for themselves. No child in America should be receiving her primary care in the emergency room in the middle of the night. No child should be falling behind at school because he can’t hear the teacher or see the blackboard. I refuse to accept that millions of our kids fail to reach their full potential because we fail to meet their basic needs. In a decent society, there are certain obligations that are not subject to tradeoffs or negotiation – health care for our children is one of those obligations.

That is why we have passed this legislation to continue coverage for seven million children, cover an additional four million children in need, and finally lift the ban on states providing insurance to legal immigrant children if they choose to do so. Since it was created more than ten years ago, the Children’s Health Insurance Program has been a lifeline for millions of kids whose parents work full time, and don’t qualify for Medicaid, but through no fault of their own don’t have – and can’t afford – private insurance. For millions of kids who fall into that gap, CHIP has provided care when they’re sick and preventative services to help them stay well. This legislation will allow us to continue and build on these successes.

But this bill is only a first step. The way I see it, providing coverage to 11 million children through CHIP is a down payment on my commitment to cover every single American. And it is just one component of a much broader effort to finally bring our health care system into the twenty-first century. That’s where the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that is now before Congress comes in.

Think about this – if Congress passes this recovery plan, in just one month, we’ll have done more to modernize our health care system than we’ve done in the past decade.

We’ll be on our way to computerizing all of America’s medical records, which won’t just eliminate inefficiencies, save billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs – but will save lives by reducing deadly medical errors. We’ll have made the single largest investment in prevention and wellness in history – tackling problems like smoking and obesity, and helping people live longer, healthier lives. And we’ll have extended health insurance for the unemployed, so that workers who lose their jobs don’t lose their health care too.

Now, in the past few days I’ve heard criticisms of this plan that echo the very same failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis – the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can address this enormous crisis with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges like the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.

I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. So I urge members of Congress to act without delay. No plan is perfect, and we should work to make it stronger. But let’s not make the perfect the enemy of the essential. Let’s show people all over our country who are looking for leadership in this difficult time that we are equal to the task. Let’s give America’s families the support they need to weather this crisis.

In the end, that’s really all that folks like the Secrests are looking for – the chance to work hard, and to have that hard work translate into a good life for their kids. I’m pleased to report that their story had a happy ending – it turned out that Gregory’s two sons were eligible for CHIP, and they are now fully covered, much to his relief. I think Gregory put it best when he said: “Kids look at us and think ‘they’ll take care of us.’ That is our job – to keep them safe and healthy.”

That’s what I think about when I tuck my own girls into bed each night. That is what I want for every child – and every family – in this nation. That’s why it is so important that Congress passes our recovery plan – so we can get to work rebuilding America’s health care system.

It won’t be easy – and it won’t happen all at once. But the bill I sign today is a critical first step. So I want to thank all the state and local officials, advocates and ordinary citizens across America who’ve fought so hard to pass it. I want to thank all the members of Congress who have worked so tirelessly, for so long, so that we could see this day. And I want you all to know that I am confident that if we come together, and work together, we can finally achieve what generations of Americans have fought for and fulfill the promise of health care in our time.

Thank you.

DNC Native American Chair: Obama Stood With Us, Stand With Him

Stating that "Barack Obama has stood with us and it is now time that we stand with him" Frank LaMere of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska urged Native voters this week to come out in record numbers on Tuesday "to restore the country and the First Nations, and to acknowledge that we must give voice to the generations to come."

LaMere, the Chairman of the Native American Caucus of the Democratic National Committee who guided the Native American delegation at the national convention, is optimistic about the expected turnout and impact of the Indian vote. "Indian country has responded to the Democratic message of change and the need for urgency. From Maine to California and from Washington to Florida the Native focus on the political process is unprecedented. This attention can manifest itself with the election of Barack Obama and countless Democratic state and local candidates who will enjoy Native support but there is much work to be done. We must ignore the negativity of the Republicans that is designed to raise doubts in our minds and to intimidate voters like us. We know the truth about what the Republicans have brought us because we see how it affects our children and grandchildren every day. Let us remain mindful of this through our every action and through our participation in this political process till Tuesday."

"Let there be no mistake about this my relatives", LaMere added. "Every vote will count and will decide much about your future. Cast it proudly and carefully. We have young relatives in harm's way right now who have paid our way to enter the election booth."

"We have many who go without because our leaders have failed us. This election means much to them. Barack Obama understands this while others remain oblivious. Let us, as Native people, help him."

Dr. David Gipp

Hau, anpetu waste yelo.

My name is Dave Gipp. I’m Hunkpapa /Lakota from the Standing Rock Lakota-Dakota Nation. I am president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota.

I’m one of thousands of tribal citizens who support Senator Barack Obama for accepting tribal nations and their citizens into the future he sees for America. We’re not another special interest group trying to claim a share of the American pie. We are, after all, the first Americans. We paid for our place with land and blood. Our status as sovereign tribal nations is specially recognized in the U.S. Constitution. Our rights as tribal nations to determine our destiny within our great United States should be protected and honored by our government. Our treaties with the U.S. are the “supreme law of the land.”

Every step you take across this great nation, every vista you admire, every city you call by its tribal name, was once Indian country. The places many of our tribal nations occupy have long been pockets of poverty where the words, “liberty and justice for all” have become empty words on a piece of paper. Our health care is a disaster. Our public schools need repair. Our law enforcement officers lack the resources to guarantee safety. People in the Green Zone in Baghdad may indeed be safer than citizens in Indian country.

Yet we have never turned our back on America. Our tribal veterans have served in every one of this nation’s wars and conflicts in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnic group. We recently honored the late Woodrow Keeble of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, a hero of the Korean War who received the Medal of Honor. We never forget the sacrifices of our veterans and elders.

We can only renew America’s promise when the first Americans are legitimate participants in framing the future of this country. I urge you to look to the nation’s 37 tribal colleges and universities to lead the way in renewing the promise for American Indians. These institutions provide tribal citizens with the skills they need to be vital contributors to society and to our culture. Tribal colleges are a key to the renaissance in American Indian life as we save our languages and rebuild over 550 tribal nations.

American Indians are still here and we’re seeking justice for our people. We offer the strengths of our spirituality and our connection with Mother Earth in renewing America’s promise for all. Let us remember the words of the great Lakota patriot Sitting Bull: “let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.”

Pilamaya yelo! Thank you.

Mitakuye oyasin! We are all related. In every race, creed, and color... We are all related.

Scheunemann Link Highlights McCain's Abramoff Problem

Following reports that scandal-plagued Republican activist Ralph Reed is raising money for John McCain's campaign, a new report reveals yet another connection between McCain and the scandal surrounding criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff. According to the report, Abramoff's law firm hired one of McCain's closest campaign advisors to work on their behalf during McCain's investigation into the scandal. After they "turned to a former McCain campaign adviser for help," McCain issued a public statement praising the firm. According to public watchdog groups, Scheunemann's "dual role -- sometimes advising Mr. McCain as a candidate, and sometimes advising private clients on their interactions with him as a senator" raises serious conflict of interest questions.

Earlier this week, reports revealed that Reed--one of Abramoff's closest business associates--sent an email solicitation claiming to be a member of McCain's Victory 2008 team and asking people to "join me and Jo Anne at the August 18 event in" Atlanta. This makes Reed the second Abramoff-linked fundraiser to raise campaign cash for McCain. Last month, reports revealed that Juan Carlos Benitez, a lawyer and lobbyist who was appointed to a Department of Justice post responsible for overseeing Abramoff clients after a recommendation from Abramoff himself, is a bundler for McCain's campaign.

JOHN MCCAIN'S ABRAMOFF CONNECTION

Abramoff Associate Ralph Reed Raising Money for McCain. "The McCain campaign has long been concerned about whether conservative Christian voters would fall in line this fall. But last week Ralph Reed, the first executive editor of the Christian Coalition and an unsuccessful 2006 candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor, invited well-heeled folks to a "very special event" - that means a fundraiser - for McCain in downtown Atlanta on August 18. Reed, whose campaign was torpedoed by his affiliation with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, noted he's also agreed to serve as a member of the McCain Victory 2008 Team, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported." [Washington Post, 8/12/08]

Abramoff's Law Firm Won Praise from McCain After Hiring McCain Advisor to Lobby on Its Behalf. "When Senator John McCain led a Senate investigation three years ago of Jack Abramoff, the disgraced lobbyist who later pleaded guilty to fraud charges, Mr. Abramoff's old firm turned to a former McCain campaign adviser for help. The firm, Greenberg Traurig, which had quickly cut its ties to Mr. Abramoff, hired Randy Scheunemann, who had been the McCain campaign's foreign policy adviser in 2000 -- and is again this year -- for advice on handling the Senate investigation… Mr. McCain praised Greenberg Traurig's cooperation, saying in prepared remarks at the time that 'consistent with their professional obligations, Greenberg Traurig and its counsel have always been responsive to the committee's requests, always made themselves available to answer questions, and have always conducted themselves with dignity and professionalism in these trying circumstances.'" [New York Times, 8/14/08:]

Watchdog Group: Scheunemann's Dual Role Raises Questions. "Craig Holman, the governmental affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, said Mr. Scheunemann's dual role -- sometimes advising Mr. McCain as a candidate, and sometimes advising private clients on their interactions with him as a senator -- raised potential red flags. 'This is a serious revolving door problem: a person who keeps fluctuating between being a lobbyist, and advising candidates,' Mr. Holman said." [New York Times, 8/14/08:]

Abramoff Helped McCain Bundler Obtain DOJ Post Overseeing Abramoff's Clients. "As Mr. McCain releases the names of hundreds of 'bundlers' -- his top money collectors -- one person who popped up is Juan Carlos Benitez, a lawyer and lobbyist whom Mr. Abramoff had championed for a Bush administration post. According to a 2006 report of the House Committee on Government Reform, Mr. Abramoff had urged the appointment of Mr. Benitez as special counsel for immigration-related unfair employment practices. He was named to the position in 2001. The committee's report said Mr. Benitez's job at the Justice Department 'gave Benitez authority' to conduct investigations into unfair labor practices that were 'issues of importance to Abramoff clients.' For Mr. McCain, Mr. Benitez raised $50,000 to $100,000, according to the McCain Web site." [New York Times The Caucus Blog, 7/16/08]

McCain Takes Low Road at Urban League

John McCain capped off a week in which he was criticized for abandoning his promise to run a respectful campaign in favor of deceptive attacks by loading his remarks to the National Urban League meeting in Orlando with even more misleading rhetoric. Instead of offering real proposals for addressing the big challenges facing African American families, McCain attempted to distort the record on key issues.

On health care, he said he believes every American should have the opportunity to have affordable and available health care, yet his promise of four more years of President Bush's failed agenda won't do anything to reduce the ranks of the uninsured. While McCain said we need to help the COPS program, he failed to explain why he has repeatedly opposed the COPS program and voted against both the 1994 and 1992 crime bills. Nor did McCain offer any plan to address the economic crisis facing African American families after seven years of the Bush-McCain agenda.

The following are the facts on John McCain's record on:

On Health Care:

McCain Today: "I believe every American should have the opportunity to have affordable and available health care"

McCain Facts: His Promise of More Bush Policies Won't Reduce the Ranks of the Uninsured.

McCain Health Plan Just Like Bush Plan. "President Bush proposed a similar idea" to the tax credits in McCain's plan, which was dead-on-arrival in Congress in early 2007, because the plan only awarded those who purchased insurance in the private market. [Wall Street Journal, 10/11/2007; Washington Post, 1/25/2007]

Mark Mellman: McCain's Health Care Plan Mirrors Bush's Proposals. In a column for The Hill, Mark Mellman notes that "by adopting President Bush's plan," McCain "offers incontrovertible evidence that he represents a third Bush term here at home, as well as in Iraq…Asking up to two-thirds of the American public to relinquish health insurance they like, provided through their employer, puts the McCain-Bush plan on life support." [Mark Mellman Column, The Hill, 5/7/2008]

McCain Plan Resembles Bush Proposal. According to the Washington Post, "McCain's proposal is similar to one that Bush put forth in his 2007 State of the Union address. That plan, which would have replaced employer tax breaks for health insurance with a $15,000 tax deduction for married couples, flopped in Congress, failing to get even a committee hearing." [Washington Post, 4/30/2008]

McCain: I Believe We Should Grant Tax Credits to Individuals and Families for Health Insurance. McCain said: "I believe that everyone should get a tax credit of $2500, $5000 for families, if they have health insurance. It is good tax policy to take away the bias toward giving workers benefits instead of wages. It is good health policy to reward having insurance no matter where your policy comes from." ["John McCain on Health Care," Des Moines Rotary Lunch, 10/11/2007]

Bush: We Should Give Tax Credits to Individuals and Families Buying Health Care. During a speech in Madison Wisconsin, Bush outlined his proposal of the tax credits for the uninsured. "For those with limited means, my budget will provide new credits to afford health coverage -- up to a thousand dollars for an individual, or $3,000 for a family," Bush said. [Bush Remarks on Health Care Reform, 2/11/02; White House Fact Sheet, 2/11/2002]

On Police Funding:

McCain Today: "We need to help the COPS program. We need to provide them with the technology."

McCain Facts: McCain Repeatedly Voted Against the COPS Program, the 1994 and 1992 Crime Bills.

1994: McCain Voted Against the Landmark $30.2 Billion 1994 Crime Bill. In 1994, McCain voted against the Crime Bill which has authorized $30.2 billion over six years for crime related programs, including the hiring of additional police officers, prison building, helping communities prevent crime, and an assault weapons ban. [1994 Senate Vote #295, 8/25/1994]

1992: McCain Twice Voted Against 1992 Crime Bill Which Expanded Handgun Control Measures. In 1992, McCain voted twice against invoking cloture on the 1992 Crime Bill, which mandated a five day waiting period and background check for handgun purchases. The bill also provided additional grants to state and local law enforcement. [1992 Senate vote #53, 3/19/1992; 1992 Senate vote #262, 10/2/1992]

2005: McCain Voted For Corporate Tax Breaks Instead of $1 Billion for COPS. In 2005, McCain voted against providing $1 billion for the COPS program, offset by closing corporate tax loopholes. [2005 Senate Vote #70, 3/17/2005]

2004: McCain Voted To Keep Tax Breaks For Millionaires Instead of $1.1 Billion for Law Enforcement Programs. In 2004, McCain voted against increasing funding for COPS and other local law enforcement programs by $1.1 billion, offset by reducing tax breaks for taxpayers with incomes over $1 million. [2004 Senate Vote #44, 3/11/2004]

2003: McCain Prioritized Bush Tax Cuts Over Funding For $1 Billion for Police Programs. McCain voted against increasing spending on Community Oriented Policing programs by $1 billion, offset by a reduction in non-reconciled tax cuts. [2003 Senate Vote #78, 3/21/2003]

2003: McCain Voted Against $500 Million For Local Law Enforcement To Help Fight Drug-Related Crime. McCain voted against providing $500 million for local law enforcement grants that provide money to rural law enforcement agencies to fight violent and drug-related crime. [2003 Senate Vote #6, 1/17/2003]

1999: McCain Missed A Vote On Reauthorizing the COPS Program. In 1999, McCain missed a vote on an amendment to extend the COPS program to 2005 an authorize $1.5 billion for the program. [1999 Senate Vote #139, 5/20/1999]

1996: McCain Voted Against $1.8 Billion for COPS Program. In 1996, McCain voted against providing an additional $1.8 billion in funding for the COPS program. [1996 Senate Vote #31, 3/13/1996]

1995: McCain Voted To Eliminate the Successful COPS Program. In 1995, McCain voted for the Republican Commerce-Justice spending bill which included a plan "to dismantle [the] cops-on-the-beat program" [COPS] and replace it with a "block grant program giving local governments control over how to spend crime-fighting money." [1995 Senate Vote #591, 12/7/1995, McCain: N; Chicago Tribune, 12/8/1995]

On the Economy:

McCain Today: "Under my plan, we will preserve the current low rates as they are, so businesses large and small can hire more people. We will double the personal exemption from $3,500 to $7,000 for every dependent, in every family in America. We will offer every individual and family a large tax credit to buy their health care, so employers can spend more on wages, and workers don't lose their coverage when they change jobs. We will lower the business tax rate, so American companies open new plants and create more jobs in this country."

McCain Facts: The Bush-McCain Economy Has Been Detrimental To The African-American Community…

July 2008: Nearly 10% of African Americans Without A Job. In June 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate was 9.7%, up from 9.2% just one month prior, in June 2008. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation Summary, 8/1/2008]

FLASHBACK to January 2001: 8.4% Unemployment Rate Among African Americans. In January 2001, the unemployment rate for African Americans was 8.4%. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation Summary, 2/2/2001]

2006: Nearly One Quarter of African Americans Living In Poverty. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Data, 24% of African Americans in the United States were living in poverty in 2006, representing almost 9.5 million people. [U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Poverty Tables, Accessed 4/23/2008]

FLASHBACK to 2000: One Million Less African Americans Living In Poverty. In 2000, 22% of African Americans or 7.9 million were living in poverty. [U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Poverty Tables, Accessed 4/23/2008]

McCain and Gramm: It's All In Your Head

July 14, 2008

John McCain, who doesn't know what he is talking about when it comes to the economy, often pivoted to his "dear friend" and "respected economist," Phil Gramm. He even claimed there was "no one more respected on the issue of economics," and many called Gramm the "econ brain" for McCain.

Gramm told the Washington Times an interview published last week that the economy has "never been more dominant" and said we have become a "nation of whiners" constantly "whining and complaining." The McCain campaign may be quick to throw a top economic adviser under the bus but that does not hide the fact that John McCain offers four more years of George W. Bush on the economy.

We released this web video highlighting the shared belief of John McCain and Phil Gramm that these troubling economic times are "psychological" and a figment of your imagination.

TEXT: John McCain on Advisor Phil Gramm (Before)

McCain: "A person I've had the honor and pleasure of knowing as a friend and a great economist... my dear friend and comrade, Senator Phil Gramm." [McCain Town Hall, CNN Live Feed, (Waco, TX ), 3/3/08]

McCain: "There is no one in America that is more respected on the issue of economics than Senator Phil Gramm. So I'm honored that you are here, Phil. Thank you for your great service." [Speech at Dell Headquarters, Round Rock, TX, 2/29/08]

McCain: "A lot of the people that I respect that are advising me, like Phil Gramm and Jack Kemp..." [ABC This Week, 2/17/08]

TEXT: ...But Then.

PHIL GRAMM: "You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession... You just hear this constant whining, complaining... We've sort of become a nation of whiners."
[Washington Times, 7/9/08]

MCCAIN: "Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me." [Media Availability, Belleville, MI, 07/10/08]

GERSH: "Is Senator Gramm still giving advice to Senator McCain?"

HOLTZ-EAKIN: "No."

GERSH: "No."

HOLTZ-EAKIN: "At -- I haven't spoken to Senator Gramm since the comments took place, and I'm not expecting to." [PBS Nightly Business Report, 7/11/08]

Carl Cameron; While McCain was saying Gramm doesn't speak for him today, Gramm was in fact speaking for him to the WSJ editorial board and saying that he's not going to retract anything he said and that every word is true. [Fox News, 7/10/08]

TEXT: The John McCain-Phil Gramm Economic Plan: It's All In Your Head

MCCAIN: "I think, psychologically -- and a lot of our problems today, as you know, are psychological ...A little psychological boost. Lets have some straight talk. Its not a huge amount of money... a little psychological boost, that's what I think it would help." [Your World with Neil Cavuto, 4/16/08]

McCain: "Now, as far as putting additional money in American taxpayers' pocket, that's fine, because a lot of this is psychological, a lot of it is psychological." [McCain Town Hall, (West Palm Beach, FL) 1/24/08]

McCain: "Even though it would take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial." [McCain Town Hall, (Fresno, CA), 6/23/08]

McCain: "And finally, could I just mention on the issue of rebates, fine, because part of this is psychological. Part of the problem we have in any recession is psychological." [CNN Debate, 1/30/08]

AUDIO: "You just hear this constant whining, complaining... We've sort of become a nation of whiners."

TEXT: John McCain: The Wrong Choice on the Economy

Barack Obama's Commitment to Native Americans

Senator Barack Obama visited the Crow Nation in Montana to tout his plans as President and the kind of relationship he would maintain with the American Indian community, stating: "You will be on my mind every day I am in the White House."

My Indian policy starts with honoring the unique government to government relationship between tribes and the federal government and ensuring that our treaty obligations are met and ensuring that Native Americans have a voice in the White House.

Indian nations have never asked much of the United States, only for what was promised by the treaty obligations made by their forebears. So let me be clear: I believe that treaty commitments are paramount law, I’ll fulfill those commitments as president of the United States.

Read more about Senator Obama and his strong commitment to the American Indian community, and Obamamania in the Crow Nation.