Raina Thiele: President makes a historic visit to Indian Country

Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have worked closely with tribal leaders, and last year he created the White House Council on Native American Affairs to ensure cross-agency coordination and engagement with Indian Country. The President has also hosted five annual White House Tribal Nations Conferences, an event where he invites leaders from all federally recognized tribes to engage in direct talks with high-level Administration officials.

As the President said in North Dakota, “Today, honoring the nation-to-nation relationship with Indian Country isn’t the exception; it’s the rule. And we have a lot to show for it.”

During his remarks at the powwow, the President discussed his Administration’s nation-to-nation relationship with tribes and promised to work with tribal leaders to expand economic and educational opportunity for Native Americans.

“My Administration is determined to partner with tribes, and it’s not something that just happens once in a while," the President said. "It takes place every day, on just about every issue that touches your lives. And that’s what real nation-to-nation partnerships look like.”