Barack Obama and the late Carl Venne, left, who was chairman of the Crow Tribe of Montana. File Photo Native Voice Media, Inc.

President Barack Obama offered the following statement in response to the loss of Chairman Carl Venne. President Obama was adopted as a member of the Black Eagle family last year, and is honored to have known Chairman Venne.

"It is with deep sorrow that Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the people of the Crow Nation and of Montana, who lost a leader and a friend in Chairman Carl Venne. I was honored to have worked with Chairman Venne, a strong tribal leader, who implored us to uphold treaties and honor Native ancestors. Carl's leadership of his tribe and his fervent quest for a better life for his people is inspiring, and his passing serves as a reminder of the work that lies ahead. It was only a few short weeks ago that I last saw Carl, leading the spectacular delegation of Crow Nation horsemen in the Inaugural Parade. We join the Crow Nation and fellow citizens everywhere in observing the loss of Chairman Venne."

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