[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[April 29, 1994]
[Pages 800-803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to Native American and Native Alaskan Tribal Leaders
April 29, 1994

    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.
    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.

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    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. 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.
    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.
    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.
    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. 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 2 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 aggressively to take responsibility 
for operating your own programs. 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

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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.
    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.
    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 and taking care of your elders. I know that 
gaming is controversial, even among tribes. As many of you have 
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 worked 
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.
    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 children

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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.
    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 grassroots 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 1980's, 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.
    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 tolerance, wider 
justice, 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.

[At this point, the President signed the memorandums. The President and 
Mrs. Clinton and the Vice President and Mrs. Gore were then 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.

Note: The President spoke at 4:40 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Chief Wilma Mankiller of the 
Cherokee Tribe in Oklahoma. The memorandums on eagle feather 
distribution and relations with tribal governments are listed in 
Appendix D at the end of this volume.