Tribal Nations Conference Today at White House

Kate Fort

From the White House press release:
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, November 5th, 2009, President Obama will host the White House Tribal Nations Conference. As part of President Obama’s sustained outreach to the American people, this conference will provide leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration.  Each federally recognized tribe will be invited to send one representative to the conference.

President Obama said, “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. This conference will serve as part of the ongoing and important consultation process that I value, and further strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship. “

NPR’s Morning Edition:

“November 5, 2009 from WPR
President Obama meets with hundreds of Native American leaders when he hosts the White House Tribal Nations Conference Thursday. The event is for federally-recognized tribes. With that recognition, tribes are eligible for economic assistance, land, housing grants and other government benefits. The Brothertown Indians of Wisconsin had their application for formal recognition rejected, but they are appealing.”

From Indianz.com:

Other administration officials expected to attend are: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Deputy Attorney General David Ogden, HUD Deputy Secretary Ronald Sims, DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Lute, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli, and Indian Health Service Director Dr. Yvette Robideaux The tentative schedule follows:

9:00–9:30 – Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:30–10:40 – Interactive Discussion with President Obama
10:45-12:15 – Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
12:15–1:45 – Lunch
1:45-3:00 – Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
3:15-4:45 – Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
4:45-5:20 – Closing Remarks