"President Barack Obama deserves credit for meeting annually with Native American tribal leaders, but any real progress should be gauged by his federal policies and budget priorities affecting tribes.

Representatives from the 565 federally recognized tribes are gathering in Washington, D.C., this week to talk with Cabinet members and administration officials. Obama will meet with the leaders Friday during his third White House Tribal Nations Conference.

After Obama's first such summit in 2009, this newspaper took note of the historic nature of the gathering. The dialogue was more substantive than any previous president had attempted to engage in with tribal leaders, and Obama's message about forming collaborative partnerships resonated them. At that time, however, we said it was Obama's follow-through that would matter most."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Obama continues dialogue with tribes (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 11/30)

Also Today:
Swift will represent Port Gamble S'Klallam at White House conference (The North Kitsap Herald 11/30)

Related Stories:
Tentative schedule for White House Tribal Nations Conference (11/23)
Kim Teehee: White House to hear directly from tribal leaders (11/2)
Obama announces White House Tribal Nations Conference (10/24)