Obama at the Crow Nation
I’m a few days late with this (summer school, ugh). I did show it in my class though.
Obama’s speech is pretty impressive in terms of his recognition of treaty rights and his commitment to a partnership with tribal leaders–including them in planning at an annual White House summit, etc. He says in the speech:
My Indian policy starts with honoring the unique government to government relationship between tribes and the federal government and ensuring that our treaty obligations are met and ensuring that Native Americans have a voice in the White House.
I don’t think GWB ever uttered the words “my Indian policy.” Indian Country Today has a good write up. Most of the mainstream press ignored the visit, only mentioning that Obama was adopted into a family and given a Crow name. But Obama has been one of the only presidential candidates (let alone actual presidents) in recent memory who has confronted Native American issues. There is no comparison to the visibility of Aboriginal politics in Australia and Native issues in the US.Speaking of the history of Native-non-Native relations (broken treaties, boarding schools, etc, etc) Obama said:
And that’s history we have to acknowledge if we are going to move forward in a fair and honest way. Indian nations have never asked much of the United States, only for what was promised by the treaty obligations made by their forebears. So let me be clear: I believe that treaty commitments are paramount law, I’ll fulfill those commitments as president of the United States.
I wonder if a national apology would be in the cards if Obama were to be elected? If he truly follows through on this set of promises it would be a shift in policy and possibly increase the visibility of these issues in the US in general.
About The Author
Kim Christen
I am an Assistant Professor at Washington State University. I use this blog to keep myself writing. I blog about Australian Aboriginal politics, Indigenous issues, Indigenous new media, cultural politics, and other issues that come up. I made the icon above at Portrait Icon Maker
Other posts byKim Christen
Author his web sitehttp://www.kimberlychristen.com
Here’s a look at Obama’s "Tribal Leaders Steering Committee." Samuel Kohn is one of the state advisors for the Obama campaign on Native American issues in Montana. He and others should be applauded for this remarkable effort. He’s a member of the Crow Tribe, and also a student at Dartmouth who organized faculty, administration and students to speak out against racial stereotypes some years ago: "The Natives are Getting Restless." Wizipan Garriot (from Rosebud), and Keith Harper (from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma) I’ve also seen mentioned … among others (who often go unnamed in grassroots efforts).
The campaign has a section of its website devoted to Native American issues:
First Americans for Obama
It’s refreshing to see a presidential candidate acknowledge the abysmal treatment of Indians..I seriously hope that he survive the Republican hate machine. We need someone like him.
native people of usa require more care and helping hand. omaba looks honest and promissing. hope for good.
I’m a journalist in Canada interested making contact with President Obama’s Group fo Seven.
I agree First Nation issues are going to come up with your country’s new president. I’m interested in finding sources who can filter the hype from substance.
I am a Canadian journalist!
Appreciate any constructive suggestions,
thanks
Alex