This past Monday, Barack met with leaders from 21 of New Mexico's Tribal Nations. Barack had the chance to meet with tribal leaders he had not yet met, and also reconnected with some of his earliest supporters. Barack talked about his policy for tribes in the Southwest, and exchanged ideas and concerns with Governors of the Pueblos and leaders from the Navajo Nation and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
From the Navajo Nation Washington Office:
President Shirley and Vice President Shelly Meet with Presidential Candidate Barack Obama
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., and Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly told Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama that the nation’s largest tribe needs federal help to bring jobs and economic opportunity to Navajoland.The Navajo leaders met with Sen. Obama during a New Mexico tribal leaders’ roundtable here Monday. President Shirley spoke about some of the challenges facing the Navajo Nation. He said Navajo people need jobs and economic opportunity to invigorate younger Navajo professionals.“We have an interest in economic development and I feel the federal government can assist the Navajo Nation in its efforts,” he said. “I emphasized the need to work with the Navajo Nation onissues important to the Navajo people, such as significantly increasing funding for multi-use court and law enforcement facilities.”President Shirley gave a brief overview of issues important to the Navajo Nation, such as protecting water rights, investing in energy initiatives, improving healthcare for Navajos and Navajo veterans, and pushing economic development and opportunity.Vice President Shelly said, “We have the largest land base and the largest population. We also have the manpower and an intellectual and skilled community to fuel a self-sufficient Native Nation. Through partnerships, we can bring forth economic opportunity.”“The vote from tribes is going to be important in this election,” said President Shirley following the meeting. “The Navajo vote is just as important. We want to encourage that every Navajo of voting age register and vote.”The roundtable followed an Albuquerque town hall meeting for residents of New Mexico.
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