Remarks by the President at the 3rd Annual 2011 Tribal Nations Conference (and Pics)

[ellisonz]

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 02, 2011
Remarks by the President at the 2011 Tribal Nations Conference

Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.

2:20 P.M. EST

Excerpts:

Now, today, I’m here not only as President. As I’ve mentioned before, I am also here as an adopted member of the Crow Nation. (Applause.) So I’d like to recognize my adoptive Mom and Dad, Sonny and Mary Black Eagle, who are backstage. They’re going to be coming out here in a little bit. I’m so grateful they took me into their family. I bet they’re grateful that I never went through the “terrible twos” -- (laughter) -- or “terrible teens.” They got me after I was a little more polished. (Laughter.)

------

We’re working to make our government-to-government relationship even stronger. We asked Congress to recognize the power of tribes to prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence, whether they’re Indian or non-Indian. (Applause.) And in the wake of the Carcieri decision, we've asked Congress to restore the Secretary of the Interior’s authority to take land into trust for federally recognized Indian tribes. (Applause.)

So this new relationship represents a major step forward. It is change. But I promised even more than that. I told you that as President, I would work with you to tackle the most difficult problems facing Native American families. And that’s exactly what we’ve done. We passed the Tribal Law and Order Act, and began making Indian Country a safer place to live. We permanently authorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and made quality health care accessible to more Native Americans.

Just this week, we streamlined leasing regulations, which will lead to more homes, more businesses, more renewable energy on the reservation. That’s what change is. (Applause.)

And finally, we said that even as we include Indian tribes in the broader promise of America, we're going to keep native traditions alive. So when Michelle launched Let’s Move! in Indian Country, she brought lacrosse players to the White House, and invited Native American children to plant the “three sisters” crops in the White House vegetable garden.

While our work together is far from over, today we can see what change looks like. It's the Native American-owned small business that's opening its doors, or a worker helping a school renovate. It’s new roads and houses. It’s wind turbines going up on tribal lands, and crime going down in tribal communities. That’s what change looks like.

So we should be proud of what we’ve done -- together. But of course, that should sharpen our resolve to do even more. Because as long as Native Americans face unemployment and poverty rates that are far higher than the national average, we’re going to have more work to do. And I wake up every day focused on how to get this economy growing and create jobs for every American, faster. We’re working to rebuild an economy where no matter who you are, no matter what you look like -– black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American –- you can make it if you try.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/02/remarks-president-2011-tribal-nations-conference

And your pics:



President Barack Obama stands with Hartford “Sonny” and Mary Black Eagle, right, after speaking at the the White House Tribal Nations Conference, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Interior Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) - Note: These are his adoptive Crow parents.



President Barack Obama,Hartford “Sonny” and Mary Black Eagle, center, bows their heads in prayer during the White House Tribal Nations Conference, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Interior Department inWashington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)



President Barack Obama smiles for a photo with a group Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers after delivering remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Interior Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)



U.S. President Barack Obama poses for a photo during the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of the Interior in Washington December 2, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[Tx4obama]

1. I remember when Obama became an adopted member of the Crow Nation

it was during the 2008 campaign and folks there were in tradition tribal costume, they gave Obama a Native Indian name (Barack Black Eagle), and they gave Obama and Michelle gifts. That's about all I can recall at the moment.


Edited to add...

Here's a few links with info some with photos/video

http://www.crowtribe.com/obama.htm

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/19/obama-adopted-by-native-americans/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-05-20/crow-nation-welcomes-barack-black-eagle/2441766

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/05/obama-adopted-into-crow-nation.html

[ellisonz]

2. Black Eagle is actually a real bird...

The Black Eagle breeds in tropical Asia. Race perniger (Hodgson, 1836) is found in the Himalayan foothills west through Nepal into northeastern Murree in the forests of the Eastern and Western Ghats in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.<2><3><4> The species also extends into the Aravalli range of northwestern India.<5> The nominate race malayensis (Temminck, 1822) is found in Burma, southern China (Yunnan, Fujian) and Taiwan, into the Malay Peninsula. They are generally residents and no migrations have been observed.<6>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Eagle

;)

[Tx4obama]

3. Here's more info regarding Obama's new name ...

SNIP

... His name pronounced in Crow is Awe Kooda bilaxpak Kuuxshish, which means "one who helps people throughout the land." Barack's Clan is of the Whistling Water and child of the Newly Made Lodge. He was also presented with several gifts from the wives of the Executive Officials. The gifts included a beaded medallion for his wife and miniature beaded buckskin cradle boards and purses for his two daughters.

SNIP

p.s. Pretty cool :)

[ellisonz]

4. Republicans! Fear Black Eagle!

For his spirit is strong, and his claws mighty!

:fistbump:

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. K & R. Thanks for posting.

:kick:

[ellisonz]

6. You're welcome!

:fistbump:

[ellisonz]

7. Kick for topics less covered.