Obama at the tribal summit

Obama:  US must reverse course with Indians

By Ben FellerPresident Barack Obama assured American Indians on Thursday that they have a place in his White House and on his agenda, telling tribal leaders their marginalized community deserves more from its government.

"I get it. I'm on your side," Obama told the largest gathering of tribal leaders in U.S. history.

Obama devoted part of his own time Thursday and even more of his administration's attention toward renewing relations with American Indians. He opened a conference that drew leaders from 386 tribal nations—the first meeting of its kind in 15 years—and he ordered every Cabinet agency to take more steps toward more cooperation.

The president returned to the event at the Interior Department late in the day for closing remarks, as scheduled, but he altered his message to address a deadly shooting rampage at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. He said his administration would get answers to every question about the incident.Obama's one concrete pledge:

Obama ushers in a new era for Indian country

By Rob Capriccioso[T]he president said he didn’t just want to pay “lip service” to tribal issues. He wanted to take action. Thus, he used the day to highlight his signature of a presidential memorandum establishing “regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration” between tribal nations and the federal government.

Significantly, Obama imposed a time limit as part of the executive order, which he signed in front of the tribal attendees. The memorandum directs every Cabinet agency head to provide the president a detailed plan within 90 days of how they will implement and improve tribal consultation.

During a break after the signing, several tribal leaders heralded the move.

Derek Bailey, chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, said he was especially impressed that the president imposed a tight deadline for agencies to begin complying.

“Too many times these kinds of orders just sit there. This is a strong call for rather immediate action.”The full text of Obama's morning appearance:

Remarks by President Obama during the Opening of the Tribal Nations Conference

Rob's reactions

Reading Obama's opening Q&A at the tribal summit, it seems about what you'd expect. Tribal leaders: We need more homes, health care, and cultural programs. Obama: My administration promises to do more to get you homes, health care, and cultural programs.

Yes, Obama said great things. But you don't need a 564-nation summit to hear the president reiterate his campaign promises.

In my mind, a government-to-government meeting should be like the UN General Assembly or the Camp David/Geneva/Oslo peace talks. You know, where the parties have a concrete agenda and hammer out specific agreements.

If nothing comes out of the summit except renewed hope and optimism, I can't be too impressed. To me "government to government" means negotiating new policies as equals, not asking for help and hoping (once again) that the feds come through.

Tough questions needed

I kind of wish someone had asked Obama a tough question. Will you sign the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights? Will you fund Indian healthcare at $xxx (the full amount tribes are seeking)? Will you settle the Cobell trust fund lawsuit? Etc.

Someone on Facebook responded:To a degree, one must be diplomatic and ceremonial at these occasions. It's like appearances before Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and House Resources: oral presentations are brief, perfunctory, while written presentations more detailed. Sessions with Capitol Hill departments, aides will key.A head of state shouldn't have be excessively diplomatic and ceremonial. What's Obama going to do...fire a tribal chairman?

Contact with aides and departments should be routine and ongoing. This was a chance for a one-on-one with the president. If people were just going to talk in generalities ("We need stuff," "We'll try to give you stuff"), I don't quite see the point.

I gather most tribal leaders felt inspired and optimistic after meeting Obama face-to-face. Well, not meeting him, exactly, but seeing him across the room. But did the summit achieve anything tangible? Did we need all the raised hopes and transcontinental travel to hear Obama pledge to keep his promises?

Too much happy talk

We've had centuries of feel-good promises, speeches, and meetings. We don't need more of these symbolic gestures. What we need are specific questions asked and answers given.

I guess the summit needed a pre-summit where tribal leaders could express their thanks, accolades, and hopes for the "One Who Helps." Then at the actual summit, they could've got down to the brass tacks of discussing and negotiating policy changes.

Apparently the tribes themselves realized they were lobbing too many softballs at the morning Q&A. They had an impromptu strategy session at lunch and decided to get more specific in the afternoon.

Basically Obama has promised to do great things for Indian country. At the summit he and his administration continued to promise to do great things. Well, that sounds great. If it actually happens, it'll be great. Until then, it's just talk, not action.

For more on the subject, see Negative Nellies at the Tribal Summit and Pix of the Tribal Summit.