FROM THE ARCHIVE

Clinton renews tribal commitment

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NOVEMBER 7, 2000

As two candidates campaigned across the nation to be his successor, President Bill Clinton on Monday renewed his administration's commitment to tribal nations.

Along with Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs, a small group of tribal leaders joined Clinton for the signing of a revised executive order on Tribal Consultation. Like two directives issued in years past, the order affirms tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the United States.

But unlike the historic 1994 meeting with over 500 tribal leaders and the initial 1998 consultation order, there was little hoopla surrounding Monday's event. Still, those who attended the ceremony praised Clinton and his administration for renewing the country's bonds to Indian nations.

"Today was a monumental day," said Tex Hall, Chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. Hall appeared on the nationally-broadcast radio program Native America Calling after the ceremony, as did Gover.

Among other actions, the order directs government agencies to honor treaties, respect tribal sovereignty, and meet the trust responsibilities of the federal government. It also directs agencies to consult with tribes on any decisions that may affect them.

Since 1998, various departments have done just that. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued its policy for the first time in June and the Department of Energy (DOE) revised its policy just last week.

As Clinton pointed out, however, the government hasn't always held true to its word.

"Indian nations and tribes ceded lands, water and mineral rights in exchange for peace, security, health care and education," said Clinton. "The Federal Government did not always live up to its end of the bargain. That was wrong and I have worked hard to change that by recognizing the importance of tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relations."

In practical terms, the revised order is a combination of the 1998 order and another order issued the very same day. That executive order, known as the Federalism order, dealt with the federal government's relationship with state and local governments.

Monday's order also doesn't go into effect until January. Should Texas Governor George W. Bush win the election today, it could turn out to be his administration's first document on Indian policy.

Get the Revised Order:
Executive Order: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (The White House 11/6)

View a Photo of the Signing:
PHOTO: President Clinton signs the Consultation and Coordination Executive Order (Tribal Law 11/7)

Get Clinton's Statement:
Statement by the President: Signing of the Executive Order on Consultation with Indian Tribal Governments (The White House 11/6)

Get the 1998 Orders:
Executive Order 13084, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (The White House 5/14/98)
Executive Order 13083, Federalism (The White House 5/14/98)

Relevant Links:
DOE revises tribal policies (Enviro 11/1)
Leaders discuss NAGPRA (Indian U. 7/27)
FCC embraces sovereignty (Tech 06/09)
Clinton Pledges Indian Country Support (The Talking Circle 04/14)