Oklahoma tribal officials to attend conference
BY CHRIS CASTEEL
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Published: October 13, 2009
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will host a conference Nov. 5 with American Indian tribes at the White House, and some Oklahoma tribal leaders plan to attend.
Each of the 564 federally recognized tribes can send one representative to the conference.
There are 37 recognized tribes in Oklahoma.
"I look forward to hearing directly from the leaders in
Indian Country about what my administration can do to not only meet their needs, but help improve their lives and the lives of their peoples,” Obama said Monday. "This conference will serve as part of the ongoing and important consultation process that I value, and further strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship.”
Chad Smith, principal of the
Cherokee Nation, said, "When I talked with President Obama four to five months ago, I asked him about his campaign promise to have a Native American summit, and I’m glad to see that he is doing it. I look forward to being there with other tribal leaders at this historic event.”
Judy Allen, spokeswoman for the
Choctaw Nation, said
Chief Greg Pyle is plans to attend.
Allen said stimulus funding provided by the administration has allowed the tribe to offer more housing, improve roads and increase employment.
"All of this is good for the nontribal community as well as the Choctaw Nation,” she said.
Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, said the White House conference will coincide with the opening of the Embassy of Tribal Nations on Nov. 3.
The administration has yet to come up with a solution to the long-running legal battle over individual Indian trust accounts.
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There are those that say this is just a picture opt and drinking party, but I see more to this meeting that sterotyping, and I know our Comanche Chairman Michael Burgess does not Drink. A Change is here, it takes a while for President Obama and newly elected Chairpeople, but it is happening, my heart is beating!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5xVRXLgLxw