- Details
The Biden-Harris Campaign had an unprecedented outreach to Indian Country which made the difference in key battle ground states to retain Minnesota and turn Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada blue. Today, President Biden released his Presidential Memorandum reaffirming President Bill Clinton’s E.O.13175 which established Government to Government relations with tribes.
Over the years, Presidents have further articulated E.O. 13175 through Presidential Memorandum. The Obama-Biden Administration extended and added the requirement for Consultation for all federal agencies and departments to produce Consultation Policies in consultation with tribes. In 2019, a GAO report revealed a number of federal agencies simply had not yet complied. During the Biden transition period, based on unprecedented outreached to tribal governments, consistently tribes asked for a restatement and reaffirmation of both E.O. 13175 and strengthening of the Presidential Memorandum on Consultation.
This is huge as everything flows from this new beginning. Specifically, several tribal leaders and I indicated we would like established timelines for completing the consultation mandate. Today, President Biden fulfilled this ask. For that, I am extremely grateful and look forward to the next 90 days to help formulate consultation policies across agencies.
Next is the appointment of the Nation’s first American Indian to a cabinet level position. Tribal leaders are urged to contact their US Senators to urge them to help make history by voting to approved Rep Deb Haaland’s nomination as Secretary of Interior. In this role, Secretary Haaland will play a key and pivot role in ensuring all agencies work collaboratively through the White House Council on Tribal Affairs. The National Congress of American Indians have voted to endorse Rep Haaland’s nomination and has posted a draft letter on their webpage (link listed below).
CLICK HERE to read the Presidential Memorandum.
Aaron Payment serves as tribal chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. In addition to be serving as tribal chairperson for his tribe, Payment serves as the 1st vice president for the National Congress of Americans, acting president of the Mid-West Alliance of Sovereign Tribes; and president of the United Tribes of Michigan.
More Stories Like This
Rez Dogs Are A Real — and Sometimes Deadly — Problem on Indian ReservationsInvestments in Local Boys & Girls Clubs Can Help Shape Youth in Northeast Oklahoma
Learning a New Language Can Help Preserve Indigenous Cultures
Indian Boarding Schools Testimony a Step Towards Healing
Building Needed Infrastructure & Housing Across the Cherokee Nation Reservation
Do you appreciate a Native perspective on the news?
For the past decade-plus, we’ve covered the important Indigenous stories that are often overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the toppling of colonizer statues during the racial equity protests, to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW), the attacks on tribal sovereignty at the Supreme Court and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools, we have been there to provide a Native perspective and elevate Native voices.
Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation this month to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps us remain a force for change in Indian Country and continue telling the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked. Please consider a recurring monthly donation of $5 or $10 to help fund us throughout the year. Whatever you can do, it helps fund our Indigenous-led newsroom and our ability to cover Native news.
Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you.
