JULY 15,2013
Smoke Signals 15
Obama White House establishes Council on Native American Affairs
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
President Barack Obama signed
an Executive Order on Sept. 26,
2012, establishing, at the cabinet
level, the White Mouse Council on
Native American Affairs.
In a press conference held on
June 27, Secretary of the Interior
Sally Jewell said that the council
was "another important step ad
vancing Tribal self-determination
and improving the quality of life
for Native Americans."
"With his executive order, the
president reaffirmed his commit
ment to Indian Country and set a
precedent for future administra
tions," said Tribal Council Chair
man Reyn Leno.
Tm pleased to see that President
Obama recognizes the unique sta
tus of our Tribal nations and values
our government-to-government
relationship. The order is a step in
the right direction and will help im
prove the coordination of programs
and resources directed to Indian
Country. While there is much to
be done, this commitment provides
an avenue for future engagement
that will continue to benefit Indian
Country for years to come."
Among the members of the coun
cil are secretaries from virtually
every major federal department,
including State, Treasury, Defense,
Justice, Agriculture, Commerce
and Veterans Affairs.
It aims "to honor treaties and
recognize Tribes' inherent sover
eignty and right to self-government,"
according to the Executive
Order.
It "establishes a national policy
to ensure that the federal govern
ment engages in a true and lasting
government-to-government rela
tionship with federally recognized
Tribes."
Since 2009, Jewell said, Tribes
and federal agencies have held an
nual government-to-government
meetings.
'This announcement is the next
step. It is an outgrowth of the
administration's very successful
work in many different cabinet
agencies," Jewell said. This execu
tive order will institutionalize this
relationship."
The group will meet a minimum
of three times a year to "improve
coordination of federal programs
and the use of resources available
to Tribal communities."
'The President is firmly commit
ted to building a nation-to-nation
relationship," said Jodi Gillette,
Obama's senior policy adviser for
Native American Affairs. "We want
to make sure all the things we've
done in the last four years keep."
Still, she said, "We need to do more
and we need to do it better."
She noted that the administra
tion is promoting self-governance
because it works.
In response to questions from the
press, Jewell said, "We won't be
able to do our work without Tribal
conversations.
"I envision, to begin with, intro
ducing the council itself. I want to
make sure people understand the
role. As it unfolds, to make it effec
tive, we'll have to narrow focus to
topical issues; bring in experts to
represent the interests of Tribes.
We'll find opportunities to engage
the Tribal press every step of the
way. We're going to be actively
involved with Tribes and Tribal
representatives. We want them to
outline their desires firsthand with
members of this council."
Funding shortfalls are being re
considered, she noted.
"The Office of Management and
Budget has a very important role
in pulling together the president's
budget. Tribal issues will be brought
to the fore. It is very important for
colleagues to know that this puts
these issues on the table," Jewell
said.
"We cannot ignore a history of
mistreatment and destructive
policies that have hurt Tribal
communities," said the Execu
tive Order. It recognizes that
self-determination "is necessary
for successful and prospering
communities," and that restoring
Tribal lands "helps foster Tribal
self-determination." B
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If you have any questions, contact
Brian Krehbiel at 503-879-4639
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June Sherer
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