An historic visit by a sitting US President to an Indian reservation in North Dakota.
President Obama spoke in Cannonball, on the Standing Rock Reservation.
More from Prairie Public’s Dave Thompson.
Tribal Chairman David Archambault announced the arrival of the President to an arena used for pow-wows.
“Please welcome the President of the United States – Mr. Barack Obama."
The President spoke to a crowd of about 18 hundred people in Cannonball. Before Mr. Obama spoke, he spent an hour with a half-dozen Native American young people from Standing Rock. And much of his speech was about young people.
“And every day that I have the honor of serving as your President, I will do everything I can to make sure that you see that our country has a place for everyone, including every single young person here, and all across the Dakotas, and all across America, and that you’re getting the support and encouragement you need to go as far as your hard work and your talent will take you. That is my commitment to you, and to every single young person here.”
Many in the audience were happy to hear that message.
“It was good about the children and what he’s going to help us with for our people," said Barbara Porras from McLaughlin, SD. "And that’s what we need.”
Others said while the President’s words were good, the follow-through is what counts.
“They can talk all they want. But as my dad used to say, you gotta walk the talk,” said Lois Antoine of Mission, SD. She was involved with a tribal Boys and Girls Club – before it closed its doors due to a lack of money. “We had suicides – 27 of them in one year. And we also had gangs. So we really need to encourage our children to become better people.”
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) says she hopes the President is getting that message – especially from his private meeting with the young people from Standing Rock.
“And I think those are stories that will renew his commitment, which he already has, but will also propel a focus on systemic reform – which is what I’m trying to do," said Heitkamp "What we're really trying to say is, ‘Look – what we’ve been doing in the past is not working all that well.’ So how about we try a different way forward.”
Heitkamp says she’s anticipating some further policy announcements from the White House concerning Native American children.
