Alaskans say Obama, cabinet taking serious look at Native issues

Published on November 6th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Here's what some Alaska Natives who attended the Tribal Nations Conference on Thursday had to say about why Natives would benefit from the meeting --

Donne Fleagle, McGrath, president and CEO of MTNT, a regional tribal organization in McGrath --

It gives tribes hope. That we have a president who's not just going to make promises, but who is really serious about it, and he's starting the dialogue, it wasn't the end. He had his top cabinet members there and they were taking notes.

He said this wasn't pomp and circumstance. He made mention that he's an adopted Croix, and he really felt that the United States should start keeping their promises.

He added funds, especially to Indian Health Service programs. It's a start.

Some of those funds ... won't go very far, but it's a beginning. If his administration keeps this up annually, we might get to be where we should be with inflation, by the time his term ends.

It was an incredible reception, that he took the time to come and see and us, and say goodbye. Such a busy man with a lot of pressure, he struck me as an ordinary person who's very approachable, isn't arrogant and seems to have developed over the years in his experience and understanding of all people of color.

Matthew Nicolai, president and CEO of Calista Corp. --

It's the access to the administration. It's that they promise to address our issues in Alaska. Now it's up to us to follow through with some of the items that were addressed by the administration.

We'd like to see a commission addressing whether Indian issues should be placed on a higher priority instead of a second priority (with the possibility that a new cabinet position would be created dealing with Indian issues).

Every federal department you go to, it's a secondary issue. It's always under an under secretary or below. Native American issues in health, education, no matter where they are, they're always secondary.

So we asked that this president create a commission to see if this is the right time to address Indian affairs as a priority issue.

Caroline Cannon, who got a hug from the president

The recognition (was the most important part of the meeting).

Obama indicated that we had been recognized as second-class citizens, but he said he would end that. After being an advocate for the community, it seems like we've been repeating ourselves over and over. Just recognizing us for who we are was special.

Tom Tilden, president of the Curyung Traditional Council --

I was really encouraged by a couple things Obama said. His departing comments were very encouraging. That this is not the end but this is the beginning of a relationship between tribes and the nation.

And at the beginning of his speech he talked about change, and that was his whole campaign was change. I'm just really thrilled to be here.

On Nov. 7, when he was being elected, it was minus 40 below zero in Dillingham and I was out there was waving an Obama flag.

Never did I know that someday I'd be in the capital listening to him in person. It just blows my mind. I'm just really excited about being here.

(Regarding statements from the secretaries) I was encouraged and discouraged. I was encouraged to hear they were willing to listen to us, to find out that our problems are unique and that they're still in existence.

I was discouraged to find out that a lot of the funding (isn't enough). Like Indian Health Service. In Alaska, it's only funded at 44 percent of its need and we still need more. A $17 million increase is a lot of money but it doesn't cover all the needs.

We still have unmet needs that really need taken care of. Education, public safety, all of those issues.

Marie Greene, president and CEO of NANA, the Native regional corporation in Kotzebue --

The discussions have been very promising.

You can tell that the tribes that are present this afternoon want to come on board with the president and his cabinet.

We hear from this panel (on public safety in tribal communities) that they're committed, not only to making our needs aware but also to (committing) those funds. Now we to need lobby for our funds.