1.2% Indian representation on Obama’s transition team ... Where is the cabinet-level appointment?

[bigtree]

. . . the one he promised?


Six Native Americans have been officially named to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team.

The majority of the group is working on Interior Department-related matters, with three current and former lawyers with the Native American Rights Fund, including John Echohawk, Keith Harper and Robert Anderson, advising the former senator from Illinois on proposed changes within the department that encompasses the BIA.

Echohawk has served as NARF’s executive director for more than 30 years, and worked as a transition adviser to former President Bill Clinton.

Harper, who has been named as a “team lead” for the Interior Department transition, has long been the head NARF lawyer in the infamous Cobell v. Kempthorne case. Through his work on the lawsuit, he has helped represent a half-million Native landowners who claim the agency mismanaged billions of dollars of their income earned from sales of timber, oil and gas, and grazing leases.

Anderson, meanwhile, previously worked for a dozen years as a senior staff attorney for NARF, where he litigated tribal, state and federal cases, including water, hunting and fishing rights lawsuits.

In addition to the Interior transition developments, Mary Smith, Mary McNeil and Yvette Robideaux – all American Indians – have been assigned to work on justice, agriculture and health issues.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/politics/35562244.html


waiting for it . . .

[cali]

1. oh for pete's sake.

[bigtree]

2. fucking can't ask without your typical crap?

bug off

[cali]

3. tsk, tsk, tsk

got an anger problem? And sorry, I don't take orders from you.

[bigtree]

4. I'm tired of your scolding bullshit

I didn't ask for it with this question. I'm not the only one asking. Idiot.

[LynneSin]

7. She has a point

He's only has like 13 cabinet level positions - where are the pagans, the muslims, the vegans, the secularist, the humanists, the <<<< fill-in-the-blank >>>>>

How about we try 'Where are the qualified' which is what I want.

[bigtree]

10. He made a specific promise on this

want a quote?

[LynneSin]

5. First it's not Indian unless you're worried about appointments of those from India

It's Native Americans.

Second, there is no way that Obama can appoint every single group of people out there. Appointments were made and that's a good start.

[CrazyLate]

8. No, technically it's American Indian

I'm a "native American", but I'm not an American Indian.

[LynneSin]

12. Well, I know when I saw the post my assumption was that someone was complaining Surgeon General...

....was enough for those born of Indian (the country) heritage.

[CrazyLate]

18. Tricky problem

with the rise of India and the arrival of significant numbers of Indian immigrants and the integration of 2nd generation children of immigrants into mainstream society. Coming from the Southwest, 15 years ago there wasn't any confusion when talking about Indians...everyone meant "Native Americans" or American Indians. Fun times.

[MADem]

22. You wanna get more confused?

Indians, along with Pakistanis, Iranians, Bangladeshis, Afghans, all fall into a category known as

Southwest

asians!!!

Indians, man!! You know, the guys from the SOUTHWEST!!!

It can get confusing, depending upon which "southwest" you mean!!!!

[bunnies]

24. Native American = American Indian.

http://www.nativeamericans.com/

[CrazyLate]

25. Yeah I know

they are synonymous, but American Indian = Federally protected, Native American = PC clause referring to the descents of immigrants who were here before other descendants of immigrants. Most of us are "native Americans".

[bunnies]

41. I have never heard Native American used in that way.

It doesnt even make sense. A descendant of an immigrant, by definition, isnt a Native American. Am I missing something? :shrug:

[NoPasaran]

42. You obviously know nothing of the Know Nothings

"Native American" was used in the Nineteenth Century to identify those citizens who were born in this country, in contrast with immigrants.

[CrazyLate]

43. Sorry to be obtuse

And no, I wasn't talking about the Know Nothings.

All people in the America's are the descendants of immigrants. Homo Sapiens isn't native to the Americas. The first wave came over about 20,000-30,000 (and maybe as far back as 40,000) years ago. The second wave came over starting about 500 years ago. How many generations do you have to be here to qualify as a native? What percentage of blood do you have to have to qualify (I'm 1/32 Cherokee, roundabouts)?

[bigtree]

9. I've used several identifiers

. . . as have my friends and family. I don't know one which hasn't offended someone.

[CrazyLate]

28. Hah. My dad used to work for the Mescalaro Apache tribe in NM

they got called whatever they wanted to get called. They grow some big hombres out there.

[mrs_p]

39. spending my summers on the res

i always heard "indian"

[LynneSin]

44. I've come to realize it's got different meanings across the country

I work with many Indians at my job but these are Indians from India. So if someone says 'Indian' my assumption and many who live in this this part of the country think you're talking about people from India.

[ogneopasno]

6. This is interesting to me -- did he promise?

[cali]

11. not that I can find.

[mrs_p]

14. correction: it was a senior white house staff position

he talked about when he was on the crow rez

http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-adopted-into-crow-nation.html (youtube video)

[bigtree]

16. he spoke of establishing a Cabinet-level position to deal with tribal issues

from his campaign blog: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/zachedwards/gGB7CR

Barack has spoken at great length about the importance of having a senior Native American policy advisor in a cabinet level position in his White House. He is committed to hosting an annual summit, held at the White House, for tribal leaders to help come up with an agenda that works for them.

In the clip, Barack talks about how when he is president, he will ensure that Native Americans have a seat at the table and an advocate in Washington.

read and view comments: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/zachedwards/gGB7CR

[leftstreet]

19. I didn't know this

Thanks for posting the links

[cali]

20. so you don't have any evidence that he made a promise.

a post (not by Obama, but by someone posting on the Obama site) and a clip in which he says that Native Americans will have a seat at the table and an advocate in D.C. is most certainly NOT a promise to have a Native American in the cabinet.

[MADem]

26. There is a comment in the original citation about it.

I think he intends to honor it, too--he's spoken of a position, and the position hasn't been filled yet. They're still collecting resumes...

He hasn't filled a LOT of jobs yet. And any job where the job holder can get an appointment to see the President (instead of sending his boss in, and going along to stand in the corner and correct the boss when he/she screws up) is pretty much "cabinet LEVEL." Hell, the Faith Based Buffoon is cabinet-level.

This appointee would not, however, be in the line of succession.

I don't understand the anger, though. Give the guy time. Sheesh. You always run into trouble when you vet too rapidly. One thing Obama did that was probably smart, was to pick people for a lot of jobs who have been vetted before and aren't strangers in the public eye. They're also used to the glare, and can handle the strain. They aren't Kimbers or Zoes with Nanny Problems, or people with excessive business entanglements. The Native American he picks for a cabinet LEVEL post has got to not have hands that are too dirtied by, oh, gaming, or mining rights or other business ventures that could make the selectee be a less-than-optimal representative to his or her community.

For many tribal leaders, Obama’s choice for a Native White House advisor is one of the most anticipated moves that he has yet to make. He made the promise to create and fill this new position several times throughout the course of his campaign.

NCAI noted in a transition document dated Nov. 17 that the White House Senior Advisor to the President for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes would answer directly to the president’s chief of staff and would be the principal advisor to the president on all matters related to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and Native individuals.

[bigtree]

27. I could be wrong, but I thought I heard him say that

this blogger has that impression as well, so . . .

[bluestateguy]

13. There are only so many Cabinet posts

yet there are too many numerous groups (not just ethnic or racial, but gender, GLBT, disabled, etc) demanding one or more Cabinet spots. Inevitably, some of those groups are going to end up disappointed.

[MADem]

29. There was no promise of a cabinet post., just a "cabinet LEVEL" post.

Cabinet LEVEL is more about access. They aren't in the line of succession per the Constitution. He can create a "cabinet LEVEL" post with the wave of his hand. The Office of Faith Based Initiatives is "cabinet LEVEL" but that idiot will never become President if something terrible happens to everyone in the top tiers of government.

[bigtree]

that's a good point

I've obviously conflated the two.

[Ioo]

15. Maybe he can appoint a Gay Indian, then we will both be at the table (NT)

[MADem]

17. Wow. Touchy. The article says he hasn't made the appointment yet, not that he WON'T,

The article is more sanguine than you, too.

Cabinet LEVEL, also, is not "Cabinet." It implies direct access to the President, not a place in the line of succession per the Constitution.

Obama's not even CLOSE to being done making all his appointments. It's a big job.

From the article:

For many tribal leaders, Obama’s choice for a Native White House advisor is one of the most anticipated moves that he has yet to make. He made the promise to create and fill this new position several times throughout the course of his campaign.

NCAI noted in a transition document dated Nov. 17 that the White House Senior Advisor to the President for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes would answer directly to the president’s chief of staff and would be the principal advisor to the president on all matters related to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and Native individuals.

The person in this role would also be the primary contact for tribal governments and Native individuals and would coordinate policy across Congress and the federal departments and agencies. .... Johnson Pata said that NCAI continues to collect resumes of Native folks looking to be part of the Obama transition team and/or administration. ...

[bigtree]

23. I just provided the article to outline the transition's efforts so far

And I asked the question in as benign a fashion as I could manage. I haven't said he won't. I'm just anxious for them (it). I really don't think it's an untoward thing to wonder. We've seen the senior appointments come and go. Everyone has their own interests that they want to see out of this new government. I have my own.

[MADem]

33. "Where is the cabinet level appointment?" has an accusatory ring to it.

The article you cited, OTOH, is pretty cheerful about the prospects.

You probably didn't intend to come across that way, but my reading of it is that you were a bit pissed off.

Nothing wrong with having your interests out front--we all do. But you need to give the transition team time to VET a candidate. The vetting process takes a long time--it's like getting a TS SCI clearance on steroids.

There is nothing worse than a Zoe Baird or a Kimber Woods appointment straight out of the gate, even for a "cabinet level" (which is not a cabinet post--it's to do with access, not Constitutional succession) job.

They want to make sure the person they pick hasn't lunched with Abramoff, or rented mining, mineral or timber rights to Bush cronies, or whatever. That IS important. Better to go slowly and do it right, than go quickly, fuck up, and endure the harsh glare of bad publicity if not forever, then for a too-long time.

[Occam Bandage]

21. I'm still waiting for the Tongan appointment. This is a slap in the face to Tongan-Americans. nt

[mrs_p]

31. i know this is a funny response and all

but this was never a tongan nation... it belonged to the first americans (my ancestors) before columbus and his thugs came here to bash little baby heads against trees and the white euro government committed genocide via biological warfare

[Occam Bandage]

32. Cabinet posts aren't "I'm sorry" cards. nt

[mrs_p]

35. he did promise a senior white

house staff position for NA issues. he shouldn't have promised if he doesn't intend to keep it. i believe he will and am patiently waiting...

[Occam Bandage]

38. If he did, then it is reasonable to expect that one is coming.

Hopefully he creates the office within the first few days of his Presidency.

[mrs_p]

30. i'm anticipating his selection as well

but, i am not concerned he won't honor his promise

[bigtree]

34. he was effusive in his support during the campaign

As I think more deeply on this (you never know if a post will catch fire and go beyond your intentions), I do think he'll have to announce the creation of the Tribal Affairs office he spoke of.

I'll post this again as a measure of my confidence in Mr. Obama . . .


October 25, 2008
By Barack Obama

For 20 months now, I've traveled this country, often talking about how the needs of the American people are going unmet by Washington. And the truth is, few have been ignored by Washington for as long as American Indians. Too often, Washington pays lip service to working with tribes while taking a one-size-fits-all approach with tribal communities across the nation.

That will change if I am honored to serve as president of the United States.

My American Indian policy begins with creating a bond between an Obama administration and the tribal nations all across this country. We need more than just a government-to-government relationship; we need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure that tribal nations have a voice in the White House.

I'll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White House staff to work with tribes, and host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities. That's how we'll make sure you have a seat at the table when important decisions are being made about your lives, about your nations and about your people. That'll be a priority when I am president.

Here's what else we're going to do. We're going to end nearly a century of mismanagement of the Indian trusts. We're going to work together to settle unresolved cases, figure out how the trusts ought to operate and make sure that they're being managed responsibly — today, tomorrow and always

Tribes' Tragic History

Now, I understand the tragic history between the United States and tribal nations. Our government hasn't always been honest and truthful in our dealings. And we've got to acknowledge that if we're going to move forward in a fair and honest way.

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

That means working with tribal governments to ensure that all American Indians receive affordable, accessible health care services. That's why I've cosponsored the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in the U.S. Senate, and that's why I've fought to ensure full funding of the IHS so that it has the resources it needs.

It also means guaranteeing a world-class education for all our children. I'll work with tribal nations to reform No Child Left Behind and create opportunities for tribal citizens to become teachers so you can be free to educate your children the way you know best. We'll increase funding for tribal colleges. And I will make Native language preservation and education a priority.

To give families in our tribal communities every chance to succeed in a 21st century economy, I will cut taxes for 95 percent of all workers, invest in job training and small business development, and put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools and bridges.

Service and Sacrifice

And I will never forget the service and sacrifice that generations of American Indians have given to this country. We have to keep our sacred trust with Indian veterans by making sure that no veteran falls into homelessness, and that all our veterans get the benefits and support they have earned.

Let me just close by saying this. I was born to a teenage mother. My father left when I was 2 years old, so I never knew him well. I was raised in Hawaii by a single mother and my grandparents, and we didn't have a lot of money — we even turned to food stamps at one point just to get by.

Where I grew up, there weren't many black families. So I know what it feels like to be viewed as an outsider. I know what it's like to not always have been respected or to have been ignored. I know what it's like to struggle.

Every president is shaped by his own experience. These have been mine. And so I want you to know that I will never forget you. The American Indians I have met across this country will be on my mind each day that I am in the White House. You deserve a president who is committed to being a full partner with you; to respecting you, honoring you and working with you every day. That is the commitment I will make to you as president of the United States.


http://www.reznetnews.org/article/message-obama-tribes-will-have-voice-white-house-23490

[mrs_p]

37. and here when talking to the crow nation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU4WR_rcGUA

[WI_DEM]

36. I agree, it wouldn't hurt to have an Indian in the cabinet or some other top job in the

administration. Though, I'm sure at some point he will.

[Blaze Diem]

40. ND Senator Byron Dorgan will oversee Indian Affairs, last I read.

If this is the case, then the American Native Indian Tribe & Councils will be treated honorably & fairly. They will have a voice and they will be heard.
American Indians could have absolutely NO better f riend in this government than Senator Byron L Dorgan.
He has long fought for the betterment and dignity of the Affiliated Sioux Tribes of his home state, often against all odds throughout the Bush, Reagan, & Bush GOP years.

I am giving Pres Obama time to do his work, and have faith that this man will assemble a team who puts human dignity above personal greed.