This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8344449.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Obama pledge to Native Americans | Obama pledge to Native Americans |
| (1 day later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has vowed not to forget American Indian tribes, as representatives gathered for a White House conference on native issues. | US President Barack Obama has vowed not to forget American Indian tribes, as representatives gathered for a White House conference on native issues. |
| The first annual White House Tribal Nations Conference brings together one delegate from each of the 564 federally recognised American Indian tribes. | The first annual White House Tribal Nations Conference brings together one delegate from each of the 564 federally recognised American Indian tribes. |
| It is the first time in US history that they will all meet a sitting president. | It is the first time in US history that they will all meet a sitting president. |
| The event is part of Mr Obama's efforts to build bridges with American Indian and Alaska Native communities. | The event is part of Mr Obama's efforts to build bridges with American Indian and Alaska Native communities. |
| In opening remarks, which received a standing ovation, Mr Obama said: "You will not be forgotten as long as I'm in this White House." | In opening remarks, which received a standing ovation, Mr Obama said: "You will not be forgotten as long as I'm in this White House." |
| The event's agenda covers a variety of issues, from centuries old broken treaty promises to more modern issues such as healthcare, crime and poverty. | The event's agenda covers a variety of issues, from centuries old broken treaty promises to more modern issues such as healthcare, crime and poverty. |
| Mr Obama said he had asked every cabinet agency to provide him with a plan on how to improve relations between the government and tribes. | Mr Obama said he had asked every cabinet agency to provide him with a plan on how to improve relations between the government and tribes. |
| "We're not going to go through the motions and pay tribute to each other, then furl up the flags and go our separate ways," he was quoted as saying by Associated Press. | "We're not going to go through the motions and pay tribute to each other, then furl up the flags and go our separate ways," he was quoted as saying by Associated Press. |
| The president acknowledged the US federal government's history of ignoring the needs and rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives. | The president acknowledged the US federal government's history of ignoring the needs and rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives. |
| Election pledges | Election pledges |
| Mr Obama also said the widespread social and economic struggles faced by the communities were not acceptable and would change while he remained in office. | Mr Obama also said the widespread social and economic struggles faced by the communities were not acceptable and would change while he remained in office. |
| The historic summit is the first time such a large number of tribal leaders have attended a single gathering with the federal government. | The historic summit is the first time such a large number of tribal leaders have attended a single gathering with the federal government. |
| Since taking office a year ago, the Obama administration has allocated $3bn (£1.8bn) in stimulus funding to American Indian programmes. | Since taking office a year ago, the Obama administration has allocated $3bn (£1.8bn) in stimulus funding to American Indian programmes. |
| The president also appointed a member of the Cherokee Nation to his White House team as senior policy adviser for Native American affairs - fulfilling an election campaign pledge. | The president also appointed a member of the Cherokee Nation to his White House team as senior policy adviser for Native American affairs - fulfilling an election campaign pledge. |
| He also appointed an American Indian as director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services - the first such appointment. | He also appointed an American Indian as director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services - the first such appointment. |
| There are about two million Native Americans in the United States and one million in Canada. | There are about two million Native Americans in the United States and one million in Canada. |
| The map above does not show Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska has one Native American reservation - Annette Island. There are no reservations for Native Hawaiians (aka Kanaka Maoli) in Hawaii. There are 564 federally recognised Native American tribes, the largest being the Cherokee with a population of nearly 730,000Other major tribes include the Navajo, Choctaw, Sioux, Chippewa and ApacheThere are about 150 different Native American languagesThose living on reservations must obey federal laws, can vote in national elections and can serve in the armed forces, but they are also subject to tribal laws and elect tribal leadersSynonyms: American Indians, First Nations people | |
| Are you or your relatives Native American? Has the stimulus funding to American Indian programmes led to improvements where you are? What do you want this conference to achieve? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. | Are you or your relatives Native American? Has the stimulus funding to American Indian programmes led to improvements where you are? What do you want this conference to achieve? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |