Published on Jun 26, 2013
For Immediate Release
June 26, 2013
NCAI Statement on President Obama’s Executive Order
Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs
Secretary Jewell to Meet with Tribal Leaders on Thursday Morning
Reno, NV- In Washington today, President Obama signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Native American Affairs. The Executive Order establishes “a national policy to ensure that the federal government engages in a true and lasting government-to-government relationship” with tribal nations. In advance of tomorrow’s address by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to the General Assembly of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid Year Conference in Reno, Nevada, NCAI President Jefferson Keel released the following statement:
“President Obama’s Executive Order represents a very strong step forward to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship. The Council has been a top priority of tribal leaders from the earliest days of the Obama Administration. It will increase respect for the trust responsibility and facilitate the efficient delivery of government services.
The Executive Order represents an important commitment to:
- Effective tribal policy development coordinated with the White House Domestic Policy Council;
- Increased engagement with tribal nations and Native peoples through the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs;
- Effective and efficient consultation under Executive Order 13175; and
- The ongoing success of the annual White House Tribal Nations Summit.
We look forward to working with President Obama, Secretary Jewell, and other members of the Cabinet to ensure that the Council advances our nation-to-nation relationship and builds a prosperous future for generations to come. “
Background
The Council has been a top priority of tribal leaders from the very earliest days of the Obama Administration. At the NCAI Annual Convention in 2009, anticipating the first annual White House Tribal Nations Summit, the membership of NCAI passed resolution PSP-09-008 “Reaffirmation of the Nation-to-Nation Relationship.” The resolution called upon the President to establish an Executive Branch Nation-to-Nation Council chaired by the Secretary of the Interior.
In 2012, following the President’s successful reelection campaign, NCAI urged the President to “Create an Interagency Native Policy Council” as one of nine transformative actions that would strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship.
About The National Congress of American Indians:
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org
Subscribe to our News RSS