By Barack Obama
October 24, 2008 (Indian Country Today) Washington D.C. --
For 20 months now, I’ve traveled this country, often talking about how
the needs of the American people are going unmet by Washington. And the truth
is, few have been ignored by Washington for as long as American Indians. Too
often, Washington pays lip service to working with tribes while taking a one-size-fits-all
approach with tribal communities across the nation.
That will change if I
am honored to serve as president of the United States.
My
American Indian policy begins with creating a bond between an Obama administration
and the tribal nations all across this country. We need more than just a government-to-government
relationship; we need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure
that tribal nations have a voice in the White House…
October 17, 2008 (Kumeyaay.com) -- Last week, The New York Times covered two
stories outlining the need of two American governments to acquire equity in
contemporary economic development enterprises: One was about the federal government’s
response to the need for equity in $700 billion national bank bailout and the
other was about a tribal government’s response to the lack of equity
in $58.6 million wind project on an Indian reservation.
Congress changed the
terms of the so-called “bailout bill” to include
provisions for the federal government (i.e., taxpayers) to obtain equity positions
in failing banks as investments rather than bailouts. The amended bill happened
to also extend federal incentives for just about everyone in the renewable
energy economy, except for Indian tribes. The federal wind production tax credit,
or PTC, incentive was extended for one year, but again, with no language to
provide for tribal equity in Indian reservation projects. That failure is a
primary basis for the difficulties in renewable energy development on impoverished
Indian reservations.
Despite a Tumultuous Economy, Barona Awards Over $600,000 to
Schools
Oct 24, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) San Diego — After historically
high statewide budget cuts in education this year have left programs underfunded
and resources sparse, the Barona Band of Mission Indians continues to lessen
the blow with its innovative Barona Education Grant Program. Barona has awarded
a total of $610,000 to 122 schools statewide since the program’s 2006
inception.
Friday after Thanksgiving designated day of tribute
Oct 24, 2008 (Kumeyaay.com, reprinted from Indian Country Today) WASHINGTON
-- The National Indian Gaming Association acknowledges the passing into law
of House Joint Resolution 62, which designates the Friday after Thanksgiving
as Native American Heritage Day 2008.
The Native American Heritage Day 2008
Bill encourages the people of the United States, as well as federal, state
and local governments and interested groups and organizations, to observe Native
American Heritage Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
The bill is supported by the National Indian Gaming Association, the National
Congress of American Indians and Indian tribes across the country. The resolution
was introduced by Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii,
who helped move the resolution through the Senate.
November 17, 2008 (Alpine) — Looking for the coolest place in East County?
November 15, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — Grossmont Hospital Foundation
October 1, 2008 (Mesa Grande reservation) - Bouncing down a dusty dirt road with hairpin turns so narrow that we have to honk our horn to warn oncoming drivers, we descend past Lake Sutherland into a deep gorge. We emerge in a hidden valley—home of the lower Mesa Grande Indian reservation. The most remote tribal village in East County, Mesa Grande’s American Indians survived 19th century attacks that decimated more accessible tribes. 
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