College Football Star Rolls Out Health Program to Native American Kids

College football star Myron Rolle, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, is rolling out a program to DOI-funded schools that will educate Native American students on important health issues as well as engage them in outdoor physical fitness activities.

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White House Tribal Nations Conference

President Barack Obama, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Cabinet Members hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference to ensure that American Indians and Alaska Natives have a hand in the development of the policies that affect Indian Country. The Conference was held today in the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.

More than 400 tribal leaders of the 564 federally recognized tribes attended the event, each looking forward to voicing concerns and also their thanks to the Conference hosts.

Secretary Salazar welcomed Conference attendees. Salazar stated:

We recognize that the federal government's history with Indian nations is long and troubled. We live with a legacy of injustice. But today, we also live in a moment of great opportunity." This historic gathering was meant to be the beginning of an ongoing discussion so that the "First Americans" can "decide the future" that they will build toward.

Introduced by the President of the National Congress of American Indians, Jefferson Keel, President Obama approached the podium to great applause. His speech in its entirety can be read here.

President Obama signed a memorandum that requires each Cabinet agency to compose a detailed plan within the next 90 days. Each plan will outline how the agency will implement President Clinton's executive order, issued many years ago, to establish collaboration between the federal government and the tribal nations. President Obama told attendees that as long as he is in the White House, "you will not be forgotten."

Following President Obama's speech, a Q&A session followed, during which Wilfred Cleveland of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin referred to the President as "he who cares."

During three panel discussions (Economic Development, Natural Resources, Energy, Environment and Agriculture; Public Safety and Housing; Education, Health Care and Labor), all moderated by Secretary Salazar, attendees shared concerns and asked questions.

AIR spoke with Vice Chairperson of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, Shirley Laos. Trinidad Rancheria has concerns about Health Care as their tribal members are once again without insurance. Vice Chair Laos expressed that the Conference is a "great opportunity" as the Trinidad Rancheria met with Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Larry EchoHawk a total of four times, but after today, has been able to meet with Secretary Salazar and others.

In his closing remarks, President Obama reaffirmed that this is the "beginning of a process" with which he and his team will follow up. He stated:

I want you to know that, as I said this morning, this is not something that we just give lip service to. And we are going to keep on working with you to make sure that the first Americans get the best possible chances in life in a way that's consistent with your extraordinary traditions and culture and values.

To view additional photos, please visit American Indian Report on Facebook.

Photos and blog post by Cerissa Hontiveros