Facebook Twitter Email
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2002

President Bush is committed to maintaining a government-to-government relationship with tribal nations although his administration still hasn't developed an Indian policy, a senior White House official said this week.

Ruben Barrales, Bush's adviser on intergovernmental affairs, told tribal leaders that the White House is "rolling out the red carpet" for Indian Country. Offering to help tribes navigate an often complex and daunting federal bureaucracy, he urged attendees of the National Congress of American Indians to make use of his office.

"We can't always guarantee the results," he said on Wednesday, "but we can guarantee the access."

Barrales, who also works with state and local governments, said the Bush administration is committed to advancing self-determination, energy, health and other issues affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives. He singled out economic development and education as being among the highest priorities of the president.

But tribal leaders pushed Barrales to formalize the Bush administration's Indian Country policies. Already in its second year, they criticized the failure to move on affirming its government-to-government relationship with tribes.

Eddie Tullis, chairman of the Poarch Creek Band of Indians in Alabama, said Bush officials have been paying "lip service" when they make appearances at tribal events. "You have here in this room the leaders of this country," he said.

"There's a lot of work to be done," he added, imploring Barrales to act.

Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington, tried to pin down Barrales on the issue. He said Bush officials have offered only "rhetoric" when they could have, at the very least, reaffirmed the Clinton administration's policy, which was developed in consultation with tribal leaders.

"Indian policy in the administration has to be consistent," he said. "This should be a high priority."

Barrales agreed that something needed to be done. "It's long overdue for us to have a policy on Indian Country," he said.

But he tried to explain the delay seen by tribal leaders. Bush could have affirmed the Clinton policy, said Barrales, but "he just doesn't do things just because it sounds good."

"Unless there's some teeth to it, it's just a piece of paper," he said.

Allen also criticized the Bush administration for trying to strip failed tribal schools and trust asset management from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "We shouldn't pay the price" for the federal government's past mistakes, he said.

"Indians have never got their just due," he added.

Tribal leaders have been trying to set up a meeting with Bush, who hasn't met with tribes since his fall 2000 campaign. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, and others have been trying to arrange a gathering with a small number of tribal leaders in contrast to the large media event President Clinton held while he was in office.

Barrales didn't offer a timetable on either the policy or a meeting. He said he hoped to get out to a reservation soon but didn't say if Bush would try and do so.

Related Stories:
IHS pressed to include tribes in reform (2/28)
Bush concerned about tribal 'loophole' (2/28)
Senate takes shot at trust fund (2/27)
Inouye: 'This Is Your Day' (2/26)