"Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, delivered a State of the Indian Nations address on Tuesday at the nation's capital, a speech that called for tribal inclusion as the Obama administration hopes to lift a nation.

During his campaign, President Barack Obama said he would invite tribal leaders to meet with him in the nation's capital.

“I look forward to Indian Country's greater inclusion and greater respect in this new vision for America and there is still much work to be done,” said NCAI president Garcia, who represents the largest Native advocacy organization in the country.

Garcia, who delivered his speech in the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., before some 200 people, said tribal leaders are in a rare situation, one in which they will be working with a U.S. president who understands U.S. constitutional treaty obligations.

In a news release, the NCAI president presented four specific agenda items that tribes plan to discuss with Obama, including economic recovery, overhaul of health care, commitment to public safety and improved education for Native children.

“We embrace the promised White House summit between tribal leaders and the Obama administration,” said Garcia. “The president has given us good reason to believe he will include Indian nations as he talks about a new spirit of hope and change.”"

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: President of Native group calls for inclusion (The Missoulian 2/11)

Relevant Documents:
State of Indian Nations | Indian Country Budget Request

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