“The most exciting part is the Obama transition team,” said Jacqueline Johnson-Pata, director of the National Congress of American Indians. “So much happens minute by minute with this.”
She said NCAI has a good relationship with two of Obama's transition team members, including co-chairs John Podesta, who was chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton, and Pete Rouse, who was chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
“The names will be sent to transition team members,” said Johnson-Pata. “We are encouraging resumes to be sent in. Our goal is to have Indian Country appointments made early.”
She said now is the time for tribes to be weighing in as Obama assembles his administration.
The NCAI, which represents 250 tribes, has identified five priorities for an Obama administration, including tribal sovereignty, funding tribal services, law enforcement, governmental parity and finally, trust reform and a trust settlement regarding the Interior Department's management of Indian natural resources.
So far, the NCAI has identified key administration appointments that should be filled or created in the interest of Indian Country, including Department of Justice and U.S. attorneys, federal judicial appointments, and an Office of Management and Budget Native program director.
Two immediate appointments are of key importance to Natives, including a White House adviser on Native policy and the appointment of a new Interior secretary.
Johnson-Pata said a senior policy adviser will improve the government-to-government relations between tribes and the federal government.
Meanwhile, the appointment to the Interior Department - a defendant in a class-action suit filed on behalf of 500,000 Native landowners - could finally resolve contentious trust reform goals in the department. At least three people remain on a short list to head the department, including John Leshy, a former Interior Department solicitor, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, said Johnson-Pata.
Daschle is being considered to head the Department of Health and Human Services, she said.
As Congress gets set to complete the 110th “lame duck” session Nov. 17-20, “everybody wants to know what's going to happen at the end of this session,” said Johnson-Pata. “Indian Country's priority still remains the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.”
Obama co-sponsored the legislation. If reauthorized, it would provide critical services to Native communities.
Reach reporter Jodi Rave at 800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@lee.net.
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louise wrote on Nov 10, 2008 10:22 AM:
" hi are you ok i think this is realy intressting so come on every one read on "
First americans wrote on Nov 17, 2008 3:14 PM:
" jody has her facts wrong, ncai cannot choose Indian placements for obama admin as they are lobbyists and the admin does not work with lobbyists "
Lucinda Lazaro wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:21 AM:
" Hi, Jacqueline. I have worked in the American Indian community before as a mentor to the school age students -- middle and high school. I don't know what I would be able to contribute, but I would be very interested in applying for one of the jobs on the staff. You have my e-mail address. My phone number is (310) 653-2013. "
Rachel Lopez wrote on Nov 10, 2008 12:47 AM:
I am very intersted in applying for a position with this group. Could you send me the contact information? My phone number is 241-2825 if you want to talk to me. I would like to meet you and talk to you if you have time sometime.
Thanks, Rachel Lopez "