Obama Hosts Tribal Nations at White House Nov. 5

During the campaign Obama was dubbed Barack Black Eagle by the Crow Nation

Update Nov. 5: Video of Obama's address this morning here. Conference ongoing at Whitehouse.gov/live. Obama to speak at 4:50 pm eastern. Should be live streamed at cnn.com or Whitehouse.gov/live.

From the White House:

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, November 5th, 2009, President Obama will host the White House Tribal Nations Conference. As part of President Obama’s sustained outreach to the American people, this conference will provide leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. Each federally recognized tribe will be invited to send one representative to the conference.

President Obama said, "I look forward to hearing directly from the leaders in Indian Country about what my Administration can do to not only meet their needs, but help improve their lives and the lives of their peoples. This conference will serve as part of the ongoing and important consultation process that I value, and further strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship. "

An excuse to post one of my favorite Native American performers, Robert Mirabal:

Michelle Obama Visits Interior Department

This is Michelle Obama's third visit to a governmental department and this time, she breaks news that a Native American policy adviser will soon be announced. Earlier she visited HUD and the Education department.

Read her remarks here. 

NYT: First Lady Michelle Obama continued her getting-to-know Washington tour on Monday with a visit to the Department of the Interior where she announced that President Obama would soon appoint a White House policy adviser dedicated to tribal issues such as sovereignty, health care and education.

Mrs. Obama said the new policy adviser – whose name is expected be announced in a few weeks — would focus on “the well-being of Native American families and the prosperity of tribes all across this country.”

“For those of you focused on meeting the federal governments obligations to the Native Americans, understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now,” she said.