WASHINGTON—November 5, 2009—National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel attended the first annual White House Tribal Nations Conference and issued the following statement:

“It is an understatement to say that this was an historic day for Indian Country. I want to thank President Barack Obama for living up to his campaign promise to hold this meeting and thank members of his Administration for their commitment to addressing our most pressing issues. Now it is time for action.

President Obama’s directive to every Cabinet agency to provide him with a detailed plan—within 90 days-- on how to implement Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” and improve tribal consultation is the first of many action steps that need to be taken.

On behalf of tribal leaders from across the country who are depending on these directives to be fruitful, I commit all of us to play an active and productive role in the process. Over the next three months we look forward to working with all of the federal agencies to develop plans for meaningfully implementing the Presidential Memorandum and strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship.”