    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 39 (Monday, September 27, 2004)]
    [Pages 2105-2106]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks on the Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian

    September 23, 2004

        Thank you all for coming. Thank you all. Please be seated. Welcome
    to the White House. Laura and I are so honored that you're here, and
    we're honored to be with you.
        This week, during one of the largest gatherings of American Indians
    in our Nation's history, we celebrate the legacy of the first people to
    call this land home. And we celebrate the opening of the National Museum
    of the American Indian, a unique and beautiful place that will introduce
    generations of visitors to a strong and living tradition. That museum is
    a long time in coming, but it now stands in a place of honor, exactly
    where it belongs, on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
        I'm honored to call Ben Nighthorse Campbell a friend. He is a
    strong, strong leader. He is a proud Indian and a proud American. He
    represents the best of public service. And I appreciate his wife, Linda,
    being here as well. Thank you, friend. Plus, he's a pretty fine athlete.
    [Laughter]
        I appreciate Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior, for
    being here, and other members of my administration involved with Indian
    affairs who are here. And they should be here. After all, they're with
    the leaders of sovereign tribes: Dave Anderson, Assistant Secretary of
    Indian Affairs, Department of Interior; Vickie Vasquez, Assistant Deputy
    Secretary of the Office of Indian Education; Dr. Charles Grim, Director,
    Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services. Thank
    you all for coming.
        I'm proud to be here with Senator Ted Stevens--Senator Stevens,
    Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, strong backer of the
    American Indian, as is Senator Domenici and all the other Senators who
    are here. I appreciate you all coming.
        I'm honored the Members of the House are here: Richard Pombo,
    chairman of the House Resources Committee; J.D. Hayworth, cochairman of
    the Native American Caucus; along with Dale Kildee of Michigan,
    cochairman of the Native American Caucus; Congressman Tom Cole from
    Oklahoma; and other Members of the Congress. Proud you're here, and
    thank you for coming.
        I'm honored to have distinguished tribal leaders here today. Thank
    you all for coming to Washington, DC. We're proud you're here. I
    appreciate Sheila Burke, the Deputy Secretary of the Smithsonian
    Institute. I thank Rick West, the Director of the National Museum of the
    American Indian, for being here as well.
        I want to thank the Indian members of our United States military for
    joining us today. Thank you for your service. Finally, I want to thank
    the Cherokee Choir for filling the East Room with such beautiful music.
    Thank you all, and welcome to the White House.

    [[Page 2106]]

        The museum's location on the Mall is fitting, because the American
    Indian experience is central to the American story. That story has
    involved great injustice against native peoples and great contribution
    by native peoples.
        We remember Sacagawea's presence with Lewis and Clark. What a heroic
    woman she was. We remember the patriotism and bravery of the Code
    Talkers in World War II. We're still looking for Clarence Wolf Guts.
    [Laughter] We also remember all the Native Americans who fought to
    defend America, including the 17 American service personnel we just
    recognized here.
        Native Americans have supported this country during its times of
    need, and their contributions have made America stronger and better.
    Decades ago, there were some who viewed American Indians as the
    vanishing Americans, people on the margins of our national life. Yet,
    the exhibits in the new museum and the museum itself carry a different
    message. Many of its staff and curators are Native Americans, and the
    exhibits are created in close consultation with the tribes.
        The National Museum of the American Indian shows how your ancestors
    once lived, and it does much more than that. It affirms that you and
    your tribal governments are strong and vital today and provides a place
    to celebrate your present achievements and your deepest hopes for the
    future. It allows all Americans to experience the rich culture of the
    American Indian.
        Native American cultures survive and flourish when tribes retain
    control over their own affairs and their own future. That is why,
    earlier this morning, I signed an Executive memorandum to all Federal
    agencies reaffirming the Federal Government's longstanding commitment to
    respect tribal sovereignty and self-determination. My Government will
    continue to honor this government-to-government relationship.
        Long before others came to the land called America, the story of
    this land was yours alone. Indians on this continent had their own
    languages and customs, just as you have today. They had jurisdiction
    over their lands and territories, just as you have today. And these
    sovereign tribal nations had their own systems of self-governance, just
    as you have today.
        The National Museum of Indian Affairs affirms that this young
    country is home to an ancient, noble, and enduring native culture. And
    all Americans are proud of that culture. Like many Indian dwellings, the
    new museum building faces east, toward the rising sun. And as we
    celebrate this new museum and we look to the future, we can say that the
    sun is rising on Indian country.
        Welcome to the White House. May God bless you. Thanks for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:35 a.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of
    Colorado and his wife, Linda; and Clarence Wolf Guts, World War II
    veteran and Lakota Sioux code talker.