Obama meets 100 tribal leaders

Sen. Obama meets tribal leaders in New MexicoDemocratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama met with about 100 tribal leaders during a campaign stop in New Mexico.

Obama met with tribal leaders at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The center is operated by the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico.

After the meeting, Obama spoke at a rally in Espanola, a city next to Ohkay Owingeh and Santa Clara Pueblo. The tribes' reservations stretch into Espanola, where Santa Clara operates a gaming facility.

Obama's speech focused on the Hispanic crowd, though, according to news reports.Navajo Nation president endorses Barack ObamaThe leader of the nation’s largest Native American tribe endorsed Senator Barack Obama Thursday.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. addressed tribal leaders from across the country saying, "I am honored today to stand before you, as the elected leader of the Navajo people, to introduce the next president of the United States--Barack Obama”.

Among the group of tribal leaders who gathered at the Indian Pueblo Culture Center included New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Governor Richardson has been a strong supporter of Senator Obama's bid for the presidency and a friend and advocate for the Navajo people.

Senator Obama met with tribal leaders in June and August this year in Albuquerque.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Why Indians Are Democrats.