Indianz.Com > News > Yellow Bird: Sen. Barack Obama for president

Yellow Bird: Sen. Barack Obama for president
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Filed Under: Opinion

"We’re on the edge of a making history. Sen. Barack Obama basically has clinched the nomination, the media announced Tuesday. The country will break the mold, and we will take a step in a new direction and toward inclusiveness.

There is also another first for Indian tribes. It’s that a presidential candidate was adopted into an Indian tribe.

As the primaries end, I look back at presidential candidates’ visits to reservations and promises made to tribes about health care, education and a voice in the government. This doesn’t mean presidents never visit reservations or make promises; well, we know about broken promises, but that’s another column.

But when I read about Obama’s adoption, I could almost smell the pungent aroma of wild sage and taste the buffalo stew. What an event: I believe Obama was a first presidential candidate to be adopted into a tribe.

He was adopted into the Crow Tribe at Crow Agency, Mont., a few weeks ago by his new parents, Hartford “Sonny” Black Eagle and his wife, Mary. They were selected for this honor because they are from a five-generation family, which means that the family members of today know their Indian ancestors going back five generations. Given the traumas that Indian tribes faced, it’s extraordinary for an Indian family to have such knowledge survive.

Obama was given the name Awe Koota Bilxpaak Kooxshiiwiash, “One who helps people throughout the land.” The Obama family was excited about the adoption, news stories said."

Get the Story:
Dorreen Yellow Bird: Elect Awe Koota Bilxpaak Kooxshiiwiash (The Grand Forks Herald 6/4)
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