Smoke Signals 7
DECEMBER 15, 2012
Keniroedly attends Tribal Nattioms CoinilFeireinice
Obama says administration
will continue working on
Native issues in second term
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. Tribal
Council member Cheryle A. Ken
nedy attended her fourth consecu
tive Tribal Nations Conference held
Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Depart
ment of the Interior in Washington,
D.C.
The Obama administration said
the continuing conferences, which
started in 2009, fulfill its com
mitment to improve and expand
dialogue with Indian Country and
to facilitate a lasting discussion
between Tribal leaders and senior
federal officials.
The conference opened with a
morning session that featured
speeches by Interior Secretary Ken
Salazar, Education Secretary Arne
Duncan, Treasury Deputy Secre
tary Neal Wolin, Acting Commerce
Secretary Rebecca Blank, Health &
Human Services Secretary Kath
leen Sebelius and Agriculture Sec
retary Tom Vilsack.
In the afternoon, conference at
tendees listened to reports from five
breakout sessions held with Tribal
leaders. The reports were followed
by speeches from Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood, Environ
mental Protection Agency Director
Lisa Jackson and Labor Secretary
Hilda Solis.
Wrapping up the conference was
a 12-minute speech from President
Barack Obama, who was re-elected
to a second term during the Nov. 6
election.
"It's good to be back," Obama
said. "Every year, I look forward to
if
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Submitted photo
Tribal Council member Cheryl A. Kennedy poses with
new Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Kevin Washburn
during the fourth annual Tribal Nations Conference
held Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Department of the
Interior in Washington, D.C. Kennedy has represented
the Grand Ronde Tribe at all four conferences, which
were started by the Obama administration has a way
to improve and expand dialog with Indian Country.
this event. It is especially wonder
ful to see so many friends that I
have gotten to know from various
nations all across the country. You
guys inspire me every single day."
After honoring the late Sonny
Black Eagle, who adopted Obama
into the Crow Nation during his
2008 presidential campaign and
recently walked on, Obama listed
his priorities for his second term as
president regarding Native Ameri
can issues.
"We've got more work to do,"
Bernando teaches Wawa
Tribal member Eric Bernando teaches Chinuk Wawa language classes
from 5:30 to 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Portland office, 4445 S.W. Barbur
Blvd., Suite 101. For more information, contact Bernando at Chinuk
Wawagmail.com or at 503-709-3017. B
Obama said. "With
domestic violence
so prevalent on
reservations,
we're pushing
Congress to re
store your power
to bring to justice
anyone, Indian or
nonlndian, who
hurts a woman.
With some Tribal
nations unable to
put their land into
federal trust, we're
pushing Congress
to pass a Carcieri
fix right away.
The other focus
that a lot of you
have spoken to me
about that we're
now really try
ing to drill down
on is expanding
economic oppor
tunity for Native
Americans."
Obama touted
his administra
tion's increased
support for Tribal
colleges and uni
versities so that
Tribal young people can obtain the
skills and knowledge they need
to have a career. He also stressed
strengthening Tribal health care
and giving more sovereignty to
Tribes to make decisions affecting
their land.
"But we've got more work to do,"
he said, adding that Congress needs
to increase support for Native busi
nesses which, in turn, will improve
Tribal economies that are located
mostly in rural areas.
"That's where we need to go ...
that's the future we need to build,"
Obama said. "And I've never been
more hopeful about our chances.
Part of that hopefulness is because
I've gotten to know so many of you
and I know the skills, talent and
dedication, and the values and the
wisdom that you all represent.
"Over the next four years, as long
as I have the privilege to be your
president, we're going to keep work
ing together so that the promise of
America is fully realized for every
Native American."
Swinomish (Wash.) Tribal Chair
Brian Cladoosby introduced Obama
to conference attendees, saying that
the last four years have been the
best for Native Americans in the
country's history.
During the Dec. 11 Legislative
Action Committee, Kennedy said
that she participated in the government-to-government
breakout
session, which discussed the Office
of Management and Budget and the
authority it has over Tribes. She
suggested seeking a way to exempt
sovereign Tribal nations from that
office.
Kennedy said she also asked that
programs for Tribes also be exempt
from possible sequestration - forced
budgetary reductions starting on
Jan. 1 should Congress and
President Obama not reach a deal
on the so-called "fiscal cliff."
Kennedy also asked that all fed
eral agencies be examined to ensure
they all have instituted Tribal
consultation policies in keeping
with an executive order issued by
Obama early in his first term.
Lastly, Kennedy asked that Trib
al historic land bases be compiled
and that the Bureau of Indian
Affairs examine what land Tribes
currently have, what their ceded
lands are and to look at the treaties
"with attention paid to Terminated
Tribes."
The annual Tribal Nations Con
ference invited representatives
from the 566 federally recognized
American Indian Tribes and Alaska
Native villages. H
"
Tanas"
Intervention T
Services to be provided to babies &
moms-to-be:
Checkups
Cleanings, if applicable
Injection-free fillings, if needed and
appropriate
Cavity prevention treatment
Age-appropriate goodie bags
Raffle ticket for one of two blankets
to be raffled every six months
Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde
Dental Clinic
Pregnant women
and babies under 2
Tribal members: pregnant women or
0-2 year olds (teeth or no teeth!)
who come in for a scheduled dental
checkup or other appointment will
be entered in a
raffle for a baby
Pendleton C2
Blanket!
To schedule call:
503-879-2020
Adult Foster Program
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The Tribe's Adult Foster Care lodges are committed to offering quality
care to our Elders and helping them remain as independent as possible, while
providing the personalized assistance they need. At our lodges, a wide range
of services is available in a comfortable setting where privacy is respected
and maximum independence is supported. For information, contact the Adult
Foster Program Director Kari Culp at 503-879-1694. H