Tulsa World: Tribal leaders are hopeful after Obama's victory

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Tribal leaders are hopeful after Obama's victory

Principal Chief Chad Smith

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
Published: 11/6/2008 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/6/2008 3:03 AM

President-elect Barack Obama, who mentioned American Indians in his victory speech Tuesday night, likely will bring positive changes to the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, tribal leaders said Wednesday.

The election of the nation's first African American president, the mantra of change he brings to office and a fresh set of eyes looking at problems facing Indian Country have excited many tribal leaders, said Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray.

"There's every issue under the sun that I think is open for discussion at this point," Gray said. "It's rare to be able to see such a sea change like what we saw last night happen."

Obama's election will affect the understanding of what the federal government can and should do to address problems in Indian Country and beyond, such as energy, the environment, health care, education, trust reform and economic development, Gray said.

"I think this is an exciting time for tribal leaders around the country," he said. "They may have gotten cynical or lost interest in the hope that the United States government could be a force for change in a way that can really help people in a more healthy way. Obama represents the possibilities."

Muscogee (Creek) Nation spokesman Thompson Gouge said his tribe is hoping that American Indians will have a voice in the Obama administration.

While Obama had not named members of his Cabinet and aides Wednesday, some names have been floated about as the possible head of the Department

of Interior, which encompasses the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Politico, a political news outlet, reported that Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., and environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might be considered for secretary of the interior, while former Democratic South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle, physician and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, and former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber could be tapped to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes Indian Health Services.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith said appointments to the posts are extremely important for Indian Country and that he hopes to see Obama issue a policy statement that would reflect his campaign statements to guide the people he appoints.

"Regardless of which party won, it was historic," Smith said. "It gives us a chance to grow as a nation and focus on issues that are in common rather than issues that divide."

In May, Obama broke with members of the Congression- al Black Caucus when he stated that courts should decide the Cherokee Nation's freedmen issue, rather than have Congress write legislation that would penalize the tribe for not accepting the descendents of freedmen — former slaves of the Cherokees — into the tribe. His position was almost identical to arguments the tribe was making on the issue.

"For us, the principle we believe that Sen. Obama adheres to is to respect tribal sovereignty and let us exercise self-governance," Smith said. "If his appointments adhere to the same principles, we should be in pretty good shape."

Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment tulsandn, (11/6/2008 3:03:34 PM) I don't understand.....Do you want the blacks in or out ??? Brevity is the key to communication - unless you are a politician.... I'm not attacking you, I just don't understand....I am Choctaw-Seminole-Euchee and I get confused with all these long-winded explanations that so many people are enthralled with....so please....blacks - in or out - much like a belly button, innie-outtie....
	Report Comment Biker Patriot, Broken Arrow (11/6/2008 5:06:53 PM) Any ethnic group "hopeful" about the Obama administration is probably hopeful that the free handouts or government favoritism will increase.
	Report Comment Cherokee Born, (11/8/2008 12:10:35 PM) If you would not post your web site or any googling sites, your post would not be deleted. It's just that simple, JC.
	Report Comment Ed 8 R, Non (11/8/2008 12:20:23 PM) To the uninformed, I’m sure Smith’s statement read very positive and appropriate. For those who know a little more about the 33-year history of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and are able to rise above the fray far enough to see the big picture may have a different assessment. One who knows Smith might see that his interest in Obama’s appointments is actually real concern about the appointment of Robert Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Interior. Republican Chad Smith and his mentor Republican Ross Swimmer have scars on their derrière where severely bitten by Robert Kennedy Sr.
	Report Comment Cherokee Born, (11/8/2008 12:45:06 PM) Ed: Well stated.
	Report Comment Cherokee Born, (11/9/2008 7:09:21 PM) If one knows anything about the internet, one can get to the web site by putting in just such, so not true JC. Get a life and move on. This is old news now.
	Report Comment Buttercup, (11/10/2008 12:02:57 PM) Yo, Joe-Allen... you didn't have to live in the boudaries to vote in that election. At large registered voters also had a say. Maybe you should get more involved in your Cherokee government, then you would get more out of it than a card.
	Report Comment Taxed-2-Death, (11/11/2008 6:50:49 AM) P-Bo has no problem showing his true colors, and it is doubtfull that the recent issue about the freedmen will go unpunished. Add to that the fact that nearly all treaties, with the exception of parts of the Indian Removal Act, have been consistently violated. The ONLY thing keeping the Cherokee Nation soverign is a very close decision by the Supreme Court, an institution who's complexion is about to undergo a radical change -- and one that will not bode well for the Cherokees. It will take a lot to convince me that P-Bo's idea of everyone coming together will be done at the loss of what defines us as individuals, including our heritage.

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