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Barona Band of Mission Indians Chairman to Attend Tribal Summit With President Barack Obama
Tribes Hopeful That Conference Will Result in Positive Changes Locally and Nationwide
| Source: Barona Band of Mission Indians
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - November 5, 2009) - The White House Tribal Nations Summit will
take place on November 5 in Washington, D.C. for the first time in over 15
years. Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, will
represent the Barona Tribe along with leaders from more than 400 of the
nation's federally recognized tribes. President Barack Obama is scheduled
to present the opening and closing remarks and participate in discussions
about critical issues facing Native American tribes in San Diego and across
the country.
According to Chairman Romero, tribal leaders have hopeful expectations for
the summit as it provides an opportunity to address a number of topics
directly with President Obama and high ranking administration officials.
Discussions will include economic development, natural resources, public
safety, housing, education, health and labor.
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that the event will be the largest
of its kind in U.S. history.
"As the leader of a tribal nation, it is good to see that President Obama
is reaching out to all tribal leaders to strengthen the nation-to-nation
relationships," said Chairman Romero. "Too many times Indian Country has
been overlooked by the federal government and I feel this summit is a step
in the right direction to begin rebuilding our trust."
President Obama has earned the respect of many tribes as he has recently
appointed Native Americans to key administrative posts in order to improve
communication and relationships between federal agencies and tribes.
Romero continued, "It is promising that Native Americans have been
appointed to high-ranking positions that will allow our voice to be heard
by President Obama. I am hopeful that our common issues, such as health
care and education, will soon become a priority."
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States
government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian
Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that,
the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, established in 1875 by
the federal government. Long before, the Tribe traveled across Southern
California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the
sovereign government is serving its Tribal members, their families, and
sharing with the San Diego region. For more information, visit
www.barona-nsn.gov.