Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Pres. Obama and FLOTUS to visit Standing Rock Sioux reservation June 13, 2014 (North Dakota)
from Obama Food-o-rama Google Blog -- www.obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/ :
President Barack Obama today announced he will travel to Cannonball, North Dakota to visit the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on Friday, June 13, making his first visit to Indian County since taking office. Mr. Obama made his announcement in an op-ed published in the online Indian Country Today, and said that First Lady Michelle Obama will join him for the trip.
"We’re eager to visit this reservation, which holds a special place in American history as the home of Chief Sitting Bull," Mr. Obama said.
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is located on both sides of the border between North and South Dakota, and covers about one million acres. The residents are members of the Dakota and Lakota nations, referred to as Sioux.
Mr. Obama said he wants to "hear first hand" from Native Americans about the challenges they face, and that he will meet with everyone from youth to tribal leaders. He will announce plans to support jobs, education, and self-determination.
The President made his first visit to Indian Country in 2008 as a Senator running for national office when he visited the Crow Nation in Montana. He noted in his op ed that he was adopted by Native American parents, Hartford "Sonny" Black Eagle and Mary Black Eagle. The couple later visited Mr. Obama in Washington when he hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference in 2011, which he noted in his op ed has been an annual event.
Mr. Obama also said he has created the White House Council on Native American Affairs, and has worked to improve health care, boost infrastructure for Native Americans, and settle longstanding disputes between the federal government and Indian Country, including the $3.4 billion Cobell vs. Salazar suit. . .
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from Coverage at http://bismarcktribune.com -- June 14, 2014 edition:
President Barack Obama told a crowd of Standing Rock Sioux members Friday his visit to North Dakota was just one part of his administration's long-standing commitment to turn the corner on improving federal and tribal relations after decades of shortcomings.
Obama's focus during his visit, the first ever to a North Dakota reservation by a sitting president, was on improving education and economic development. He addressed an estimated 1,800 people inside the Cannon Ball Community Pow Wow Arbor prior to the start of the tribe's annual powwow.
Obama's visit was the first by a sitting president to any reservation since 1999 and the third presidential visit overall in the nation's history.
After Obama's arrival in the arbor, dozens of dancers decked out in colorful tribal regalia greeted him with a series of short traditional dances meant to honor esteemed guests.
Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault praised Obama for his work to improve federal-tribal relations during his time in office. He said he was humbled by the visit, which he said is just one example of the sincere efforts being made by the Obama administration.
"In his remaining two years he will work ... hard to come up with even more solutions," Archambault said.
Before turning the podium over to Obama, Archambault and tribal leaders presented Obama with a star quilt and first lady Michelle Obama with a Standing Rock Sioux tribal flag. He said their gifts symbolize love and appreciation of great leaders.
Obama responded to their warm welcome with one of his own.
"Michelle and I are honored to be in this sacred and beautiful place. It's easy to see why it’s called God's country," Obama said. "We're a little early, but thank you for giving us a sneak peek of your celebration."
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