November 5th in Washington, D.C.

PALM SPRINGS, CA-October 12, 2009-In an announcement to the National Congress of American Indians' (NCAI) 66th Annual Convention, White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs Kimberly TeeHee announced today that President Obama will meet with tribal leaders in Washington, D.C. November 5th, 2009. President Obama committed to an annual meeting with tribal leaders during his 2008 campaign. NCAI President Joe A. Garcia released the following statement on the historic meeting:

"Indian Country has been waiting for well over a decade for a meeting of this caliber with the President of the United States. I commend President Obama for setting this precedent for his Administration's Nation to Nation working relationship with tribes. We have an ambitious agenda to strengthen economic development and improve tribal government services. Tribal leaders are very satisfied that President Obama is fulfilling his promise to meet with tribal leaders on a regular basis during his term in office. This historic meeting will coincide with NCAI's Grand Opening of the Embassy of Tribal Nations on November 3rd and a tribal leaders meeting on November 4th. I encourage tribal leaders to come to Washington as a united Indian Country so we can begin the consultation process with the President and his Administration."