Sally Jewell, the 51st U.S. Interior secretary, recently addressed the National Congress of American Indians and vowed to uphold the sovereign rights of tribal nations.
United States - August 16, 2013 /MarketersMedia/ --
In recent remarks delivered to 300 delegates of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), meeting in Reno, Nevada, Sally Jewell received a standing ovation in response to her vow to stand up for tribal sovereignty. The occasion was the newly appointed Secretary of the Interior’s first address to Indian country. The Associated Press reported on Jewell’s meeting with the NCAI delegates and Arizona news website AZCentral.com published the story .
In the address, Jewell lamented the United State’s poor history with Native Americans, citing the Federal government’s numerous willful and unintentional failures to uphold promises made to Native peoples. The 51st Secretary of the Interior reminded the delegation of the NCAI that she would not be able to right past wrongs or reverse all of the effects of previous crimes against the sovereign nations of Native Americans in just four years, but she promised to work for important progress and to help the tribes establish greater economic independence.
A key point of Jewell’s address was her insistence on working with tribal peoples “nation-to-nation”, and in doing so re-confirming the sovereign status of tribal nations, which is evermore threatened by encroaching state and federal government agencies.
According to the Associated Press report, the 300 National Congress of American Indians delegates applauded Sally Jewell’s determination to protect and restore the rights of tribal nations. The report remarked that Jewell’s address was a highly emotional event in which she fought back tears and had to stop and compose herself before speaking.
The 51st Secretary of the Interior was appointed a few months ago. Previous to government service, Sally Jewell served as president and CEO of outdoor-retail company REI.
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