 [2] ALT.NEWS-MEDIA (1:375/48)  ALT.NEWS-MEDIA 
 Msg  : #5626 [102]                                                             
 From : The White House                     1:2613/335      Sat 30 Apr 94 17:16 
 To   : All                                                                     
 Subj : Pt 1/2: CLINTON: 1994-04-29 President in Meeting with Indian Tribal     

From: Publications-Admin@Whitehouse.Gov (The White House)
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab





                           THE WHITE HOUSE

                    Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                 April 29, 1994

                       REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
                      IN HISTORIC MEETING WITH
           AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL LEADERS

                            The South Lawn

4:40 P.M. EDT

       THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very, very much.  Chief Wilma
Mankiller and to all the other distinguished leaders here today.  Let
me first welcome you here on behalf of the First Lady and Vice
President and Mrs. Gore.  All of us are honored by your presence.

       I also wanted to especially thank those who have spoken
and participated to this point and those who will participate in the
remainder of this program.  I have listened carefully and learned a
lot.

       This is, as all of you know, a time of great challenge
and transition for our beloved country and for the world.  As I
travel across this country and talk to the people about the problems
that all Americans share, whether it's crime or health care or the
economy, I find a concern that goes deeper even in these specific
matters.

       There is a great yearning in this nation for people to
be able to reestablish a sense of community, a sense of oneness, a
sense of cooperation, of shared values and spirit.  Americans are
searching for the chance to come together in friendship, instead of
coming apart in anger and distrust.  There is a yearning for us to be
able to live together so that all of us can live up to our God-given
potential and be respected for who and what we are.

       It is in that spirit and with great humility I say to
the leaders of the first Americans, the American Indian and Alaska
Natives, welcome to the White House.  Welcome home.  (Applause.)

       So much of who we are today comes from who you have been
for a long time.  Long before others came to these shores there were
powerful and sophisticated cultures and societies here -- yours.
Because of your ancestors, democracy existed here long before the
Constitution was drafted and ratified.

       Just last week, people all around the world celebrated
the 24th annual Earth Day.  Yet for thousands of years, you have held
nature in awe; celebrating the bond between Earth and the Creator.
You have reminded people that all of us should make decisions not
just for our children and their grandchildren, but for generation
upon generation yet to come.

       I believe in your rich heritage and in our common
heritage.  What you have done to retain your identity, your dignity
and your faith in the face of often immeasurable obstacles is
profoundly moving -- an example of the enduring strength of the human
spirit.

       We desperately need this lesson now.   We must keep
faith with you and with that spirit and with the common heritage so
many of us cherish.  That is what you came to talk to me about, and
what I would like to respond to today.

       In every relationship between our people, our first
principle must be to respect your right to remain who you are, and to
live the way you wish to live.  And I believe the best way to do that
is to acknowledge the unique government-to-government relationship we
have enjoyed over time.   Today I reaffirm our commitment to self-
determination for tribal governments.  (Applause.)

       I pledge to fulfill the trust obligations of the federal
government.  I vow to honor and respect tribal sovereignty based upon
our unique historic relationship.  And I pledge to continue my
efforts to protect your right to fully exercise your faith as you
wish.  (Applause.)

       Let me speak for a moment about religious freedom,
something precious to you, something deeply enshrined in our
Constitution.  For many of you traditional religions and ceremonies
are the essence of your culture and your very existence.  Last year,
I was pleased to sign a law that restored certain constitutional
protections for those who want to express their faith in this
country.

       No agenda for religious freedom will be complete until
traditional Native American religious practices have received all the
protections they deserve.  Legislation is needed to protect Native
American religious practices threatened by federal action.  The
Native American free exercise of religion act is long overdue.  And I
will continue to work closely with you and members of Congress to
make sure the law is constitutional and strong.  I want it passed so
that I can invite you back here and sign it into law in your
presence.  (Applause.)

       And to make certain that you can obtain the ritual
symbols of your religious faith, in a moment I will sign a directive
to every executive department and agency of government, not just the
Department of Interior, instructing them to cooperate with tribal
governments to accommodate wherever possible the need for eagle
feathers in the practice of Native American religions.  (Applause.)

       This then is our first principle -- respecting your
values, your religions, your identity and your sovereignty.  This
brings us to the second principle that should guide our relationship.
We must dramatically improve the federal government's relationships
with the tribes and become full partners with the tribal nations.

       I don't want there to be any mistake about our
commitment to a stronger partnership between our people.  Therefore,
in a moment, I will also sign an historic government directive that
requires every executive department and agency of government to take
two simple steps:  first, to remove all barriers that prevent them
from working directly with tribal governments; and second, to make
certain that if they take action affecting tribal trust resources,
they consult with tribal governments prior to that decision.
(Applause.)  It is the entire government, not simply the Department
of the Interior, that has a trust responsibility with tribal
governments.  And it is time the entire government recognized and
honored that responsibility.

       Part of being better partners is also being better
listeners.  The Department of the Interior and the Department of
Justice have never before joined together to listen to the leaders of
the Indian nations.  It's time to change that.  Next week, in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, both Attorney General Reno and Secretary
Babbitt and many of their sub-Cabinet officials will meet with you
for two days at the first National American Indian Listening
Conference.  I'm looking forward to hearing their specific ideas from
the conference on ways to move our nations forward together.

       The same applies to the unprecedented series of 23
meetings that the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under
Secretary Cisneros, will have with tribal governments by September --
to improve housing and living conditions in tribal communities, and
to listen to you about how you can take the lead in doing it.

       All governments must work better.  We must simply be
more responsive to the people we serve and to each other.  It's the
only way we'll be able to do good things with the resources we have.
I know that you agree with that.   More and more of you are moving to
assume fuller control of your governments.  Many are moving
ams.
Each year the Bureau of Indian Affairs is providing more technical
services and fewer direct services.

       One avenue for greater tribal control is through self-
governance contracts.  There are about 30 self-compacting tribes
today.  We're working with Congress to raise that number by 20 tribes
every year.  We'd like self-governance to become a permanent program.
But we must ensure services will still be provided to the smaller
tribes that do not choose to participate.

       What is the goal of a better and more equal partnership,
and more empowered tribes and more efficient government?  Ultimately
it must be to improve the living conditions of those whom we serve.
And that must be our third and final principle.

       Together we must position American Indians and Alaska
Natives to compete economically as we move toward the 21st century.
I invited the leaders of every recognized tribe here today.  But I'll
be the first to acknowledge that not all have been able to join us
because they simply don't have the resources to come.  And I know
well that many of you have come here at great personal sacrifice to
yourselves and the members of your tribes.  That only underscores the
importance of our work.

       Let us dedicate ourselves to making certain that the
next time we all meet together, conditions will be different and
better and all of our brothers and sisters will be able to join us.
(Applause.)

       We must do more to create jobs, raise incomes and
develop capital for new businesses.  I know there are more success
stories in Indian country every year, but not nearly enough as the
people who bore witness to your conditions here today so eloquently
said.

       Strengthening tribal economies will require new thinking
and the courage to change.  It will require investing in the health,
the education and the skills of American Indians and Alaska Natives,
as we must do for all Americans.

       To the extent that some of the building blocks can be
put in place here in Washington, we are working to do that.  Our
empowerment zone legislation, for example, contains at your request
special new incentives for investing in reservations.  This is only
part of the solution.  We can continue to enforce the regulations of
the Community Reinvestment Act, to make sure local banks invest and
lend in Indian communities.  We've brought more tribal leaders than
ever together with bankers to improve mortgage loans, financial
services and to cut regulations.  We must make these efforts
permanent and more effective.  And we know a more comprehensive
approach is necessary.

       At my direction, the Vice President has established a
working group on Indian economic development as part of our Community
Enterprise Board.  I've asked them to study the recommendations from
last year's National Indian Economic Summit and to consult fully with
you every step of the way.  Our goal is clear -- to work with you to
enhance economic development in every tribe.

       I'd like to emphasize that what I have asked them to do
in this issue, I asked them to do on all issues.  This great,
historic meeting today must be the beginning of our new partnership,
not the end of it.  (Applause.)

       I'd like to make a point about economic development that
has to do with gaming.  As a former governor, I understand some of
the concerns that the governors have raised.  But as President, I
know that gaming gives you a competitive edge when you've had
precious few.  And the benefits often extend to surrounding
communities in full measure.   Some of you are now able to invest
more in housing and health care and child care and infrastructure in
taking care of your elders.  I know that gaming is controversial,
even among tribes.  As many of you has acknowledged, it's also
important that tribal governments continue to diversify their
economies.  Many of you are working with congressional leaders,
governors and Secretary Babbitt to resolve tough issues.

       My goal is this:  I want the tribes to continue to
benefit from gaming; and I want current disputes over the 1988 Gaming
Regulatory Act to be worked out.  I strongly support the process now
underway to achieve that goal.  But just as with the national
economy, we know we can't solve every problem overnight.  The
important thing is to create policies that give every tribe the
chance to have a strong economy in the long run; to develop the will
and the consistency to stick with those policies over time; and to
keep working and talking together.

       Last year, you were kind enough to invite the First Lady
to the Indian Health Summit.  You asked her to make certain your
treaty rights to health care and your rights under the Indian Health
Service be preserved and made a part of our health care proposal.
Because we work together, and because of you and your input, only one
of the health care plans now before the Congress addresses these
issues and ensures that tribal members will receive the same high-
quality health care as everyone else.  That is our plan, thanks to
you.  (Applause.)

       There has been a great deal of debate this year about
the budget of the Indian Health Service.  It was mentioned earlier.
The fact is that we are operating under the tightest spending limits
in memory.  In our efforts to bring the deficit down, I have
recommended the total elimination of 100 programs and cuts in 200
others.  And that is contributing to the country's economic revival.
But I believe the health needs of tribal communities and families and

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 [2] ALT.NEWS-MEDIA (1:375/48)  ALT.NEWS-MEDIA 
 Msg  : #5627 [102]                                                             
 From : The White House                     1:2613/335      Sat 30 Apr 94 17:16 
 To   : All                                                                     
 Subj : Pt 2/2: CLINTON: 1994-04-29 President in Meeting with Indian Tribal     

children clearly require special attention.  Therefore, I have
amended next year's budget to restore more than $120 million in
funding for the Indian Health Service.  (Applause.)

       Finally, as we heard so eloquently today, there is in
America, across the lines of race and class and region, a profound
concern for our children.  Too many are poor, or sick or
unsupervised.  Too many are likely to use violence or be the victims
of violence.  Too many are unprepared intellectually for life or
work.  Yet nothing is so striking in tribal communities as your love
of family and extended family and your devotion to your children.
Every segment of our society could well take a lesson from you.

       But in spite of your best efforts, too many of your
children also suffer from poor health and inadequate education.  And
we are trying hard to address these problems.  You mentioned Head
Start -- our budget calls for continued, substantial increases and
expansions of the Head Start program, as well as the Women and
Infants and Children program.

       Our education plan, called Goals 2000, for the first
time sets world-class education standards for every school and all
our children, and gives local communities the grass roots support
they need to achieve those goals.  Goals 2000 contains millions more
next year for BIA-funded schools and schools serving Native Alaskans.
And these funds cannot be spent until the education goals of your
community are considered.

       In the 1980s, our nation fell behind many third world
countries in the rate at which we immunized children against
communicable diseases.  I know the Indian Health Service does a good
job of immunizing children.  Beginning this year, under the Vaccine
For Children program, every Indian child -- no matter where he or she
lives, and regardless of whether they are fortunate enough to live
near an IHS facility -- will be eligible for free vaccine.
(Applause.)

       The Great Law of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy
contained this advice:  "In our every deliberation, we must consider
the impact of our decision on the next seven generations."  We are
stewards, we are caretakers.  That standard will keep us great if we
have the vision of your forefathers.

       As we look back on the American journey, the test ahead
is always whether we are moving in the right direction of more
tjustice and greater opportunity for all.  It is the
direction that counts, always the direction.  And our choices will
set that direction.

       Of course,  as you well know, our history has not always
been a proud one.  But our future can be, and that is up to us.
Together we can open the greatest era of cooperation, understanding
and respect among our people ever.  I know that we will.  And when we
do, the judgment of history will be that the President of the United
States and the leaders of the sovereign Indian nations met and kept
faith with each other and our common heritage, and together lifted
our great nations to a new and better place.

       Thank you all.  (Applause.)

       (The President signs Presidential Directive.)
(Applause.)

       (The President, The Vice President, Mrs. Clinton, and
Mrs. Gore and presented with gifts.)

                              * * * * *

       THE PRESIDENT:  Before we go, I wanted to make a brief
announcement to thank you, on behalf of the First Lady, The Vice
President, Mrs. Gore and our Cabinet for being here and for giving us
a chance to be with you, and for the wonderful gifts we have
received.

       In keeping with a tradition that goes back to the early
days of our republic, I want each of you, in leaving, to receive a
miniature replica of the Jefferson Indian Peace Medal.

       On the front is a picture of our third President, Thomas
Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the
chief architects of our democracy.

       When you receive your medal, you will see on the back
two hands clasped -- one with a cuff showing three stripes and three
buttons, the other wearing a bracelet engraved with an eagle.  The
hands join with the inscription, "Peace and Friendship."

       As we pray and as we leave, let us hope that this is the
beginning of true peace, true friendship and true progress.

       Thank you.  (Applause.)

                                 END5:21 P.M. EDT

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