J.C. Seneca, a council member for the Seneca Nation of New York urged the Obama administration to live up to President Barack Obama's campaign promise to engage in nation-to-nation consultation during a listening session at the White House on Monday.

Seneca was among dozens of tribal leaders who attended the sessions in Washington, D.C. He presented administration officials with a briefing paper that outlines ways to improve the government-to-government consultation process.

"This was the first in what we hope will be an ongoing series of listening sessions and meetings with the White House throughout the Obama administration to further communications and provide better understanding of the most pressing issues facing Native communities and Indian people,” said Seneca. “I think this meeting is a testament to President Obama’s commitment to engaging Indian country, tapping Native leadership to identify needs and priorities and empowering Indian communities to better address the issues."

"For the Seneca Nation, this was an important opportunity to underscore our treaty rights and emphasize the need to protect and maintain our economic sovereignty and efforts toward greater self-sufficiency," he added.

The briefing paper recommended that the federal government allow tribes to veto particular regulations and to require government officials who make decisions to be present at consultation sessions.

The paper also said the Seneca Nation would not comply or implement regulations that were not developed without proper notice and adequate consultation.

Related Stor-ies:
Grand Traverse chair inspired by White House talks (9/1)
White House hosting tribes for listening sessions (8/31)
White House to host tribal listening sessions (08/19)