Transcripts For CSPAN Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20141226

I think the crisis above all else is a clarion call for changing our relationship with one another and the planet earth. Why is the extinction crisis in the clarion call . Because it is loud and clear, as all clearing call clarion calls must be. For those willing to listen, it is almost deafening. With each passing there is a celestial bell that rings endlessly in the heavens marking the passage of the another miracle. It is certainly clear it provides clear evidence, unequivocal evidence, that something is amiss. Sweep,ful, over the long billions of years of multicellular life, there been five events that rivaled the extinction crisis that we are in today. If that is not evidence that something is amiss, i dont know what amiss means. We understand the cause of the extinction crisis. It is humaninduced habitat degradation, modification, invasion of species, overexploitation, and over the last few decades, Climate Change. Now for a portion of the the American Noble Energy Institute Summit in aspen, colorado. You can see the entire event at 8 00 eastern on cspan. Here are some of our future programs you can find this weekend on cspan networks. Saturday night on cspan, Supreme Court Justice Elena kagan at princeton university. Lerday on q a, glenn kess on his end of the year biggest pinocchios of 2014 awards. Reason words, Magazine Editor damon root on Supreme Court activism and judicial restraint. And jonathan yardley, who retired after over 30 years at the washington post. Saturday at six 4 p. M. Eastern, historians discuss president lincolns reelection campaign. Sunday at 5 00 on real america, a film that chronicles the 84th Infantry Division during the battle of the bulge. Get our entire schedule on cspan. Org and let us know what you think of the programs were watching. Ments cspan. Org. Join the cspan conversation. Like us on facebook, follow us on twitter. The white house recently hosted its annual tribal nations conference here in washington. The event provides leaders from the 566 federally recognized tribes to meet with the president and members of the White House Council on native American Affairs. We heard remarks from Vice President biden and secretary Sylvia Burwell and sally jewell. This is about an hour. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the special assistant to the president for native American Affairs. [applause] good morning, everyone. Welcome to the white house tribal nations conference. Today is a very special day for all of us as we reflect on the sixth conference. It is just as important today as it was in 2009 in building the administrations policy agenda and setting the direction for the next year. Year after year we have them together to renew, and is president obama says, polish the covenant chain. Our chain of friendship has become brighter and stronger during this administration through each of these gatherings. I want to make note of one invaluable change this year in the program decides the venue here at the capital hilton. We are excited to have the white house generation Indigenous Youth ambassadors join us from 36 different native nations. Where are the native youth ambassadors . [applause] they bring brightness and an important voice and we cannot be more blessed by their resolve and very presence here today. Before coming to the white house, i worked on native child and family issues. From that experience, i agree with a lot of what the tribal leaders have said. That is that historical trauma israel and is that critical levels among our people. Is real and is at critical levels among our people. That is one of the values of these kinds of gatherings, that people, and very specific recommendations and also big picture visions. We have incredible discussions with you yesterday and are looking forward to a packed agenda today with 10 cabinet members, the chair of the native American Affairs council, the Vice President , and the president. And of course, the whole reason we are here today is for all of you. As leaders, you are confronted with so many issues that are key , and you carry the responsibility of your people on your shoulders. We are always thankful for what you do as leaders of your nation. Without further delay, lets get started with the program. [applause] please rise for the presentation of the colors by the native american women warriors and to sing the flag members of the lakota renation. [applause] [applause] please remain standing for the vacation invocation by nancy james. [speaking native langugage] it in english. Our heavenly father, we thank you for today as a privilege to in your name for our president obama and our nation. We ask you for your continued wisdom for the United States. Maybe built upon your name and the foundation of your father. I pray that all may be led by the spirit of truth, that might people may be blessed by your name. We thank you for the freedom to worship, that we may enjoy the freedom to honor and worship thy name and to continue to bless our nation, the United States of america, and our people and all walks of life. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome secretary of the interior sally jewell. [applause] well, thank you. What a beautiful room. Dont you just love having the flags of all your nations here . It is not just the department of the entir interior. We love posting you in our building lisa down. Sorry. You stand for the other guy but not for me. We are doing renovations in our building so we hope in a couple of years we will welcome you back, and you can freeze the death turns the water and freezes the air and not worry about your health. It is good drink the water and breathe the air and not worry about your health. It is good to see you from near and far, mostly far. We are so blessed to have your presence with us today. Thank you. This conference is a true reflection on the spirit and the strength of the Obama Administrations commitment to the opportunity for all 566 federally recognized tribes to come together to have a facetoface meeting with members of the president s cabinet, president and Vice President , and i will tell you that there is a lot of work that goes into preparing for this. Before i say a few more thoughts, what i would like to do is recognize a few people that have been amazing. From the white house, special assistant to the president for native American Affairs you heard from her at the front end. [applause] jody does incredible work, and her partner of the white house, associate director for intergovernmental affairs, reyna fields. Lets give them a round of applause. [applause] i want to quickly acknowledge my colleagues from the department of the interior, who worked alongside a white house in putting this together. There are many people pulling nighters,rs all making sure this conference is great for you. Could we give them a round of applause . Thank you, all of you. [applause] kick off thisto conference than the young men we heard from sharing with us the flag song, because this has been a special focus this year, and that is supporting native youth and the next generation of tribal leaders. Menow that our two young did a beautiful job should could we give them a round of applause . Well done, you guys. [applause] it is clear that language and culture is alive and well in those two young men. Afterk to listen to you last year and we changed at this conference. More importantly, our Work Together has helped us all understand that this not just about working to support your good work and listen to you today. It is working to support you. Very single day i was asked to chair the White House Council on native American Affairs and it is a daunting task. It is clear to me that the silos of the federal government dont always coordinate well together. In fact, i would say that coordination is more rare than normal and you helped me understand that, too. But this cabinet and this administration does care and we are knocking down those silos and working together like never before. You will see 10 of my cabinet colleagues today. Ernie moniz he had flight he wass last night and supposed to be in brussels and instead he will be here with you. We had the White House Council on American Affairs meeting me at 80 a few on the phone and you give us your thoughts and insights and we have been weaving those into our meeting agendas and will continue to do that. This cabinet is fully engaged, and we share our commitment in Indian Country and you will see more cabinet members than usc in the past, although many of them then you have seen in the past. Ibeen the privilege of had a privilege of over 20 visits, from alaska to south florida and many points in between. I want to thank you for sharing with me not only your needs and your thoughts but also your rich cultures, your languages, your traditions, that help me understand my job what is at stake. Duncan, secretary of education, and i had an opportunity to be together and visit Indian Schools in wyoming and maine and he and i independently have made visits to many schools across the country trying to understand what we can do so that we have more young men like those that we just heard from this morning who embraced and are proud of the conditions and cultures and yet you do well in academic and can bring support to their reservations and the people for many, many years to come. With a lot about Indian Education but there is more that needs to be done. We have schools that are falling. Part i am well aware of this, i have seen it. We are working with congress and omb to address those challenges that we are aware exist out there. One of the Biggest Challenges we face as a worlds Climate Change no there is there are people more affected by Climate Change in the United States and then native people. Why . Lots of reasons. As i have got to alaska, ive seen cultural sites wash away. You have seen changes in the cycles impacting the systems. As you go along the coast, the Ocean Acidification is impacting shellfish. As you are reliant on fish stocks, you see those change with changing temperatures of the water and the droughts we have in areas like california and nevada and that region of the southwest. In florida we have saltwater encroaching on traditional aquifers. In the great lakes, we have impacts on wild rice and to many of the cultural traditions that have been going on for time immemorial. These things and you will hear from the Cabinet Panel today on Climate Change and on energy because that also is very important. How do we work with you to stand up Energy Projects not only support tribes but also provide a source of Economic Opportunity . Or your people that means economic growth. Restoring tribal homelands and all of these things that i know are important to you and important to us. I was with the Navajo Nation as we signed the largest 81settlement agreements this administration has said if you read that report given by the white house, you will see there is an englishman of that, but we want to move an acknowledgment of that, but we want to move forward for the young people, for the future, not looking at the past and all the wrongs that may happen between u. S. Government and your people but looking to the future on how we can Work Together on a Brighter Future. Those 81 settlements say that what is in the past is in the past, lets look forward. I was with one tribe and they are very committed to taking land into trust, leveraging the settlement as many of you have been able to do and bringing lands back into trust so you can make good, smart decisions for Economic Development. In oklahoma, they are working with us on reforms that allow you to take control of your assets, to lease your land without playing mother, may i, which we are not very good at. This administration is committed to selfgovernance and selfdetermination. We are committed to working with the tools we have in our toolbox to help you achieve your objectives. I want you to know that the time ive spent with you has made an enormous difference in deepening my commitment to Indian Country and to supporting your vision for a stronger and prosperous , something i share with the rest of the administration. I am so appreciative that our president now understands what you all understand, which is what is at stake for your people, and how important it is that we Work Together, because the issue is complex. The actions we are taking now, whether they are on education, reform,change, are all with an eye to the prosperity of the next generation. Thank you, young people, for being here. Thank you for picking up the mental shift of leadership, following in the footsteps of your elders. We have Wounded Warriors who carried the flags in come Indian Country. So powerful in our military and armed forces reinforcing what we all depend on for freedom. , every day in this job has deepened my respect and admiration for you, leaders of our first americans. Thank you for what you do for the next and ration and thank you for the support of what we need to do in support of you. I appreciate this and i look forward to spending the day with you and i hope you have a fantastic conference. Thank you. [applause] , isadies and gentlemen welcome secretary of health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell. [applause] good morning, and thank you all for being here. Big, big good morning to everyone. We have a very strong contingent from hhs. We have williams sparks, who is for us and is commissioner the administration native americans. We have stacy, who many of you , as well as liz, from our office of intergovernmental affairs. We are here in full force today from hhs as a reflection of the importance of our relationship, broad range, many of issues we all work on together. For those of you i meeting for the first time, i think that this is a few of you have had the opportunity to meet i want to take this opportunity to tell you how much i do look over to working with you, to help the folks within Indian Country obtain the Building Blocks of healthy and productive lives. I had the opportunity to work for these goals when i was leading the Walmart Foundation and the work we did with the tribes and their. During my time at the bill and Melinda Gates foundation, i had a chance to work on these issues, too, as we tried to increase conductivity to chapter houses in the Navajo Nation. I also most recently, as some of you may know, was at the office of management and budget, where i had the chance to work on budget issues and the funding of Indian Health services, which also recognized the importance of these health services. I had the chance in other forums, very excited about the breath of what we get to do at hhs and work with you on these issues. A strongitted to governmenttwogovernment relationship with the tribes. It is important to me that you continue to be our full partners during the design and of the policies, programs, and initiatives that we find an advance of the department of health and Human Services. Knowing that actions often speak louder than words, shortly after i became secretary, i visited the tribe near seattle. Chairman sullivan and his staff did a great job of showing me how health and Human Services programs are delivered at the tribal level. Learn aboutt visit, a lot of things, and had the opportunity to meet with the group who is working on a very promising foster care effort which is helping with friends find childrenlp safe and supportive homes within the community. I had a chance to see firsthand how we are able to deliver impact when we Work Together. On this trip the issue came up of whether or not individuals who are eligible to receive health care at the Indian Health service, tribal or urban health care provider, will be able to claim an exemption from the shared responsible payment to their cash through the tax filings through their tax filings with the irs. We worked through it so that those who are eligible for ihs can claim the exemption through the irs. That is like going and listening and hearing the issues, these are things we can try and work on together. I know i am going to count on our departments secretarial tribal advisory committee, what hhs, furtherat input. Im meeting with stac on friday and will continue to seek guidance and leadership as we work on programmatic and Critical Issues. This week, based on a request from the tribe, we are releasing a proposed rule that would allow Indian Health facilities to pay lower, medicarelike rates to outside providers. This will save money for medical referrals and expand access to Quality Health care and provider services. We look forward to working closely with tribal leadership riod as thecomment pe proposed rule goes forward. I wanted to say 2 words about the many issues we work on together, and one is Behavioral Services and second is the Affordable Care act. As we all know too well, metal and Substance Abuse orders continue to hit Indian Country in disproportionate levels among youth. It is unacceptable that native youths have the highest prevalence of depressive likelys and are 70 more as be reported at school having a mental disturbance. We have made addressing these issues a priority throughout the entire administration. TheAffordable Care act and parity rule, which puts services for both Mental Health and Substance Abuse issues on par with other physical health, as made access to Important Services more widely available than ever. We have also continued we have proposed new Grant Programs to help prevent an address suicide and Substance Abuse country. Th in indian we want to continue to work with you together so we can work to close these disparities. One of the most important ways to address these disparities is to make sure everybody gets affordable, quality coverage for more people. As you know, the equitable care act offers significant benefits and protections to American Indians and alaska native communities. Even though open enrollment and renewals are available all year to tribal members, now is a particularly important time to encourage everyone in your. Ommunity to get coverage there will be a lot of public attention, we hope, over the next three months, and Energy Around signing up coverage over the next three months. This is the net best optimal time to do it. Folks ino remind Indian Country that even though you can sign up yearround, you dont want to wait. Care throughan get Indian Health service, there are many benefits to having Health Insurance coverage. Many native americans and alaska natives will be able to get Quality Health Care Services beyond their local Indian Health care provider. This increase protection provides security and peace of mind. This goes for both marketplace insurance and for medicaid coverage, which you also can sign up yearround if you are eligible. With medicaid expansion, more people are eligible for coverage than ever before, and we are hopeful that all states will come into the full and decide to expand. We have placed some information in your packet as well as a list of events on open enrollment and a list of resources that you and lyur community can direct access. As you talk to members of your community, it is important to remind them that even if they have insurance, they may find they have more choices this year. With 25 more issuers in the marketplace, there may be a new plan that states the more money, offers more services, or includes more doctors. Learning about their options has never been easier. We even have window shopping now that you can just go on and enter zip codes. For consumers who are renewing coverage, up to 90 of the form will already be prepopulated so you dont have to keep entering your name and address from last year. We hope you will join the actions we have tribal days of action we have planned. During the first tribal day of action, we highlighted the importance of Affordable Care to Indian Country, including eighal og from the Tribal Health administrator for the northern cheyenne tribe, who found ali quality andle best affordable coverage for himself and his family of five through the marketplace. Our next travel day of action is , whichay, december 17 will be dedicated to the youth in your community. I hope you will spread the word about the options available and enrollment activities throughout Indian Country. Thank you for the opportunity to join you here today. President obama said that one day we will be able to look back on these years and recognize them as a moment where we began to build a strong middle class in Indian Country, a time when we began building a Better Future that welcomes every native american into the american dream. Tonk you, and i look forward working with you to build that future together. Thank you very much, happy to be here, and i look forward to working with you all. [applause] if everyone could remain seated for a few moments, we are awaiting the arrival of the Vice President. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome deborah parker. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President of the United States, joe biden. Native language] good morning, my name is deborah parker. I am a citizen and councilwoman for the community known as the to leila tribes. As many few are deeply aware, the work we do on behalf of our igenous people, mothers mother earth, and our surroundings is no easy task. In fact, it often feels as though the work we do is neverending, and quite often is tragic. Which is why a Strong Partnership nation to nation is critical if we are going to sustain real and timely progress. S with people like Vice President joe biden. Tribalral occasions, leaders met with Vice President biden on issues surrounding the extension of justice in Indian Country, most notably the violence against women act, where Vice President biden led the movement in the United States to help protect women against rape and Domestic Violence. [applause] last year with the support of tribal leaders and advocates, Vice President biden helped to s a muchneeded revision provision to advance protections of an american women. While this is only the beginning, we must continue to protect our women and children. Rom a long legacy of abuse Vice President biden, you are correct when you say no means no. No more abuse. Our late healer Kenneth Moses stated, we must lock arms together if we are going to truly change anything. Dear honorable tribal leaders and listing with guests, it is with great honor that i introduce to you the Vice President of the United States, joe biden. [applause] i love it, thanks. Deborah, thank you very much. Deborahs been a friend for a long time. Secretary jewell, i got to see you back stage there you are. It is a delight to be with you. I was telling deb that secretary is not only smart, she is tough, she gets things done. It is a delight to work with her. It is an honor to be back with you. You know, i am here for one reason, the same reason the president brought all of you together for the past six years. We understand, the president and i and sally and our administration, we understand and respect the words Indian Nation means something. A simple proposition. Tribalnt obama said that nations do better when they make our own decisions, and for well over a century, you have not been able to make your own decisions nearly enough. One of my earliest votes as a young senator i was 34 years the indianto support selfdetermination and Education Assistance act. I came to the senate as a 29yearold kid and to be honest with you, the nanticoke indians of my state of delaware had educated me a little bit, but quite frankly, it was at the nouye that iy i learned how bad things continue to be when i got here. I learned about abuses in the state Child Welfare system that resulted in over a quarter of tribal children being sent off to live somewhere other than Indian Country. So i was proud to support the indian Child Welfare act of 1978. That has had an enormous impact over the last 40 years. It is hard to believe it was ever different. It is hard to believe. As i said, my friend danny inouye opened my eyes about the challenges to Indian Country and it was an honor to work with him to pass the repatriation act as well is to establish the museum of the american indian. As chair of the Judiciary Committee i got and see familiar faces. I dont see any women as old as i am but i see a couple guys close to my age who worked with me. In the biden family there is no woman who is as old as any man. I dont know how that happened, it is just the way it has work from time immemorial. You think im kidding, im not. [laughter] but i work with many of you who chairman around and as of the Judiciary Committee on issues of tribal sovereignty, i for that overall respect the nations is central to the very being of everyone sitting here in this audience today. But beyond that, i know the issues you focus on very from nation to nation. One of the things that offends me is when people say Indian Nation, everything is the same. It is different. It is different from the east coast to the west to the central part of the country to the southwest. Not everyone has the same problems and concerns. Concerns onltiple your agenda as you meet this week. We recognize the difficulties you face working with State Government to secure, for example, federal Disaster Recovery funding. That is why the standing overy improvement act after Hurricane Sandy we amended something called the stafford act so you could go directly to the president of the United States to ask for disaster declarations in times of need. We know the importance of preserving sacred lands and sites. That is why we took action to preserve places like places of great cultural significant, like the desert peaks in new mexico. We recognize the rights of sovereign governments to protect their people. That is why the president signed the tribal general welfare exclusion act, so your members no longer have to pay taxes for certain benefits you receive in Indian Nations. And we want to do everything we can to promote Economic Development on tribal land. Not all lands are equal in the sense that your economic circumstances. Some are in real need. Are in it need as we are in this country. That is why the president traveled to Indian Country in june and talked about expanding access to capital, spurring investment, investing in education on tribal lands. The president will be speaking to you later today about these issues, as well as Critical Issues of importance like the of youth on reservations, something that he visitack from his june fired up about doing something about. About anant to talk to issue i have been engaged, my interest and concern, for the bulk of my career. Me why ive been so passionate all of these years of the the violence against women act and that issue. Something that maybe my mother or someone in my family was abused. Thank god no one was, but i was raised by a man, my father, a gentleman who thought the most heinous crime anyone could ,ommit was the abuse of power and the ultimate abuse of power was a man raising his hand to a woman, or to a child. , unlike most people of his generation, not only thought god it was offensive, my taught might my dad taught us that we had an obligation when we observed abuse to intervene. Intervene. I know i will get in trouble for saying this with the press here, but it is not about vigilante is ism, it is about intervening. If you can stop it when you see it to me that is the definition of manhood. It is not about standing by and saying well, it is a family affair. That is how i was raised [applause] so many men and women in this ballroom note that the most theific prison on earth is of an abused womans home, and far too many native for far too many that is a daily reality, the four walls of their home. Women on native lands face the highest rates of Domestic Violence and the mystic abuse in all of america. More than half of native american women experience physical violence in intimate partner over their lifetime. Women like lisa brunner, who has a fouryearold on a reservation, witnessed her mother beaten with a shotgun by her white husband, then grew up and faced the same abuse at the hands of her own white husband. Rate against native american women in some areas is more than 10 times the national average. One in three native american women will be raped. Its an epidemic, not only in Indian Nations, but in the country. An epidemic that cuts through the very core of how we measure ourselves as a society. Looking at this issue of violence against women decades ago, few people thought of it as a national epidemic. Women andeople, good men, had tried to take it before to do something about it and raise it up, and it got nowhere. No one denied that taking your wife in the stomach kicking your wife in the stomach or smashing her face against a wall or pushing her down the stairs in public was repugnant. But our society basically turned a blind eye. Hardly anyone ever directly intervened. As the way my father taught us. Almost no one called it a crime. It was called a family affair, cultural matter. When i began working the violence against women act in 1970s, and really interest in the mid1980s, i was told that my efforts would cause the family to disintegrate. It would generate disintegration of the family, my trying to pass relating to the right of a man to raise his hand to a woman. We talked about giving these women a way out, shelter, which we have in the violence against women act. I was told by serious people and it was written that what i was doing was establishing Indoctrination Centers for radical feminization. There was no hotline like we have today, where over 3 million women can call for help. The few police officers, prosecutors, even judges, they were not trained to understand that this was not a family affair. I hate the term Domestic Violence. It makes it sound like a domesticated cat. It is the ugliest form of violence that can occur, in large part because of the fundamental violation of trust that is engaged. Everyone seemed intent to keep this dirty Little National secret hidden away in the closet , even the legal system. As a matter of fact, we seemed we learned that the course of states, my own included, had written to their laws the basic presumption that if a woman was raped or beach and or abused by her husband or someone she knew, she must have done something. Rong in my state of delaware, you could not be convicted of degree rape of firstdegree rape if you raped someone on a date, as you could if it was a stranger who raped you, who jumped out of finale. The presumption in our law that has been in the system for hundreds of years is if you knew did something horrible to you, you were partially responsible. Be convicted of seconddegree rape but not firstdegree rape. That was the background when i wrote the violence against women act in 1990. I was convinced it then, as i remain convinced now, and i think we have proven it, that we th to rip the mandate rip decentaid off, force americans around the country to look at the reality of what was happening. And so we called forward some brave survivors who testified with the whole nation listening, made people look at the ugliness of what was happening. Because i was absolutely convinced the vast majority of us are decent and honorable. We would do something if we had to face it. Convinced that the basic decency of the American People would lead them to demand change. In 1994, we accomplished as much as we could. When we wrote the violence against women act, we knew there was much more we should be doing, but it made a difference. It made a great deal of progress in 20 years since the first violence against women act. Domestic violence rates dropped 54 from 1993 to 2010. We save millions of dollars [applause] we save millions of dollars and averted social costs, medical. Osts, lost productivity we had higher rates of conviction because of special victims units and fundamental reforms of state laws and police activity. We set up the First National Domestic Violence hotline. 3. 4 million women and men have received help from the hotline. Leftew that the first law much Unfinished Business on the table. The success of the law gave us the credibility that every time we had to reauthorize it, we could add additional provisions he knew should have been involved in the first place. In 2000, for example, we added the definition of dating violence to protect women from did boyfriends, as we as we did that, more than 30 states followed. In 2005, we had a new Training Programs for Health Care Providers screening patients for Domestic Abuse because we know longterm psychological and physical health of a woman abused continues to linger over periods of time. The cdc has shown now that there are longterm effects long after the beating stopped. Chronic diseases result. That seven out of 10 women walk into an emergency room with a bruise or a broken bone there at the hand of a man. Doctors know but they dont want to do anything about it. The medical profession is decent and honorable. They didnt want to get involved , either. Now that has all changed. We knew that the greatest piece of Unfinished Business remained. We knew back then, and we have known for 36 years, that nonnative american males were free to abuse their wives and girlfriends on tribal lands with impunity, immune from prosecution by tribal courts. And all oflike deb you in this room were relentless. You kept up the fight. And last year you all spoke as one, women and men, all nations, you spoke up as one, Standing Shoulder to shoulder with leaders in corngress like patty murray we over a debt of gratitude congressman tom cole of oklahoma, who said it is all a nothing. All are nothing. [applause] as long as there is a single place where the abuse of power is excused as a question of jurisdiction, or tolerated as a family affair, no one is truly safe if we cannot define ourselves as society that is civilized. Tribal governments have an t as a matter of fact, they have an obligation to protect their people. [applause] and all people, all people deserve to live free of fear. All people. And thanks to your efforts, and i mean this sincerely from the bottom of my heart thanks to your efforts, we took a big step forward towards protecting those rights. The president signed the violence against women act reauthorization last year. But there is more to do. And starting on march 7 of next will tribal governments have the power to investigate, prosecute, convicted, and sentenced nonnative americans who assault their wide single friends on tribal lands. Their wives and girlfriends on tribal lands. [applause] it is not within my power i , soogize for taking so long many women damaged in the meantime. It also makes it Crystal Clear that tribal governments have the right to issue and enforce real protection orders, order when tribalso police get a call from a woman who is isolated on a stretch of reservation, her voice trembling i see his truck, i can hear him, i know he is come with me to the hotline will minute callsfter like that coming in not just from tribal lands all over america. Now, they can actually do something about it. Part of aibes are Pilot Program and are putting these authorities into practice. One tribe told arresting officer that he couldnt touch him on the law. Himauthor was able to tell the law has changed, jack. It youve got a big problem. We are determined to do everything in our power to help tribal government secure the resources they need to put this law into effect. Im calling on congress to make good on the 25 million lunch in grants authorized under the law so we can make his work. [applause] general is a true hero of tribal sovereignty. Resources to the enforce the law. As each of the tribal leaders have known, there is a need for due process. It is endemic to who we are as a culture and to Indian Culture that this process the fair. Tribes have to implement these requirements before the law can take effect in Indian Nations. Thats why the Justice Department is available to help in that process. Restored,uthority is tribes have a responsibility to use it, to use it, to enforce it, enforce the law. Prosecute. Who for tooe women long have endured not just injustice but indifference. My mother used to say the worst of all sins is indifference. Continue to change the culture across america. Believe the measure of any society is the extent to which it tolerates the cardinal sin of all sends. Tolerating much too much. We are falling short of the standard we espouse. Officers have jurisdiction for the first time to do something about certain crimes. Of thehe first sliver full moon. We need to expand that moon. You need to expand the moon by giving the nation the same authorities protect people that we are extending to other nations. [applause] we need to expand the moon by giving nations the right to prosecute strangers who hurt or rape victims on tribal land. [applause] expand the moon fundamentally changing the way Domestic Violence is talked about in Indian Country. We need to speak up and speak out. Is not aagainst women womans issue, its a mans issue. Its on us to do something about it [applause]. [applause] its on all of us to change the culture. The culture asks the wrong questions. Its never the right question or woman to ask what did i do . Its never appropriate. Why wastion should be it done to me and will somebody do something about it . [applause] we need to expand the moon. We will never completely eliminate Domestic Violence, we have succeeded and will succeed when there is not a single woman whose first instinct is to ask what did i do . We found that out in a thousand hours of hearings that i held. The culture was what did i do . Did i not have dinner on the table on time . Did i use the wrong inflection in my voice . Is that a justification for man to raise his hand and never should be asked by a woman, what did i do . And thereve succeeded isnt a single man among us in america who thinks he has the right to raise his hand to woman anywhere for any reason other than selfdefense. Never. Violence, buthave the culture will change when no man dates in the back of his mind that he has a right to raise his hand. Woman, says maybe if i hadnt done that i wouldnt have had this done to me. When we get there, it will be because of people like you in this room. People who fought for this law and fight with the authority. To be by her side as we fight for that loan. Theres an old chinese proverb that my sister uses all the time. Its worth remembering. Up half the sky. Women hold up half the sky. To everyentitled single solitary opportunity and every single solitary right and protection under the law that nr. I know we will get there. I know how far we have come in such a short time. I promise you, as long as i am around and the president is around, even after we are no longer holding office, we will continue to fight that our daughters and granddaughters and our great granddaughters are freer and freer and freer and our sons understand their obligations and what the real definition of manhood is god bless you all. May god bless native american in Indian Nations and may god protect our troops. Thank you very much. [applause] more from the recent tribal nation conference in washington with remarks from eric holder and anthony foxx. The Company Provides leaders drives a566 recognized chance to meet with the president and members of the White House Council on native American Affairs are in this is an hour. Welcome eric holder. [applause] i want to thank president obama for hosting this. Its a privilege to join so many Program Public services and activist and leaders and good friends as we celebrate achievements and discuss critical challenges and as we renew our shared commitment. All of the leaders in this room and many others across the country are indispensable partners with our efforts to fulfill the promise of the United States governments relationships with tribes. You are critical allies in our ongoing work to move this country closer to its mores treasured ideas. You continue a proud tradition of tribal leaders who have stepped to the forefront of efforts to preserve cultural values, to enforce treaty obligations and ignored and to secure the rights and benefits to which all American Indians in alaska natives are entitled area this has really been easy. Its an obligation to you and your ancestors carried for generations. Together, you and your predecessors faced down tremendous adversity to safeguard your lands and protect your cultures and strengthen your abilities to choose your own future. In the last halfcentury, your commitment has been met by the government is prepared to acknowledge the failures and injustices of the past. We will work with you to try new course. Early days ofe the administration, i traveled to minnesota for a tribal nations session. We wanted to hear directly from officials about the actions we can take to get a relationship of coexistence and cooperation. I was joined by 100 officials representing 20 different components as well as 400 tribal leaders and representatives from around the nation. Some are here today. We discussed the epidemic of through and the path Indian Country. Sometimes it is 10 times the national average. We talked about the needs of women on tribal land to faced a shocking reality in which one women would three be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. We spoke about children who were runup in poverty in the midst of abuse. When i listened to that visit, i heard the pain in the voices of the people i was meeting with. Have madese parents indelible contributions to this country. They have been shutout of the process. They have been denied access to opportunities for success. There was a comprehension of the magnitude of discrimination. It bore a distressing resembles to the experience of millions of people of color throughout our history. Including those brave pioneers i are member watching on television in your city as they marched for equality and rally for the opportunity that should their birthright. I recognized on a human level the desire for empowerment and the need for mutual trust and understanding. I left st. Paul inspired and invigorated by a Firm Commitment to the work that we must do together. Announced an intention to work with you in a positive direction and a desire to take concrete steps forward and implement new approach that emphasizes cooperation and the government. Anas the creation of a leadership counsel to advise me on matters critical to Indian Country. It was made up of men and women not selected by the government elected by their own peers. Mytated many, determination to work with congress to pass laws. I directed the department to increase the engagement of the attorneys offices with tribes in their districts and to work with them to expand prosecutions. I called for the reauthorization of a revised and strengthened violence against women act, including provisions recommended by the Justice Department that would for the first time protect and empower indian women against abuse right nonnative men. I am proud to say that thanks to the hard work and dedication of many of them and women in this room, every single one of these goals has been met. All of these commitments have been fulfilled. In every instance, progress was made possible by our shared determination to overcome what Robert F Kennedy called the tragic irony of oppression. I am pleased to note that over the past six years, together with president obama and our colleagues in the administration, weve expanded on the ground raking effort to launch a new era of empowerment and opportunity. To cooperation between tribal justice leaders and the attorneys offices, including new attorneys who prosecute those cases, we have strengthened. Weve transformed a dysfunctional process that allowed Domestic Violence cases to languish and disappear. Office,s. Attorneys Indian Country jurisdiction, is required to engage and develop operational plans to improve Public Safety and prevent and reduce violence against women and girls. 2013 fiscal year showed a 34 increase from 2008 numbers. Bipartisan passage of the landmark violence against women reauthorization act, the Justice Department has announced three pilot projects to implement. [applause] as a result, more than 20 nonindians have been charged right tribal prosecutors and more than 200 defendants have been charged under bylaws and hands federal assault statutes. Strangulationve or suffocation which are precursor avenges to domestic homicide. This. Building through under the leadership of our crime, we victims of are strengthening the federal response to Sexual Violence in a tribal communities. A few weeks ago, i had the opportunity to meet with the initiatives committee. I received their formal report. A recommendations on improving Agency Response is Sexual Violence. Today, these recommendations will serve as a solid races for robust action as we seek to gain the trust of assault survivors and break the culture of shame that prevents far too many victims from coming forward. We will build upon the exemplary work tribal authorities and Law Enforcement leaders are doing every day to help us turn the tide against Sexual Violence. The in indianng country who are exposed to violence. Since this was established last taske tech force force has made important work. As the task force moves ahead, they will continue to coordinate closely with federal leaders to some were and strengthen the work you are leading threat tribal lands. We have taken a collaborative approach to the gridlock on issues that have been a source of contention between tribal nations and federal and restrictions for decades. 2010, we had a historic settlement totaling 3. 4 billion that resolved a classaction lawsuit that had been pending for 15 years. Since october of that year, we have settled the trust mismanagement claims of 81 tribes. This has ended bitter litigation. These settlements which waste no conditions on the use of funds has spurred tribal investments in a longterm Economic Development initiatives and infrastructure and expansion of tribal government services. As part of the agreements we established the seat procedures for alternative dispute resolution so in the issueswe can collaborate involving trust funds and assets without costly litigation. We have worked to protect water rights and Natural Resources on tribal land. We have expanded our outreach to Indian Tribes ross. We are seeking ways for Environmental Concerns and getting needs from coast to coast. I can announce that we are releasing a revised Environmental Strategy and guideline. [applause] the strategy outlines how we would work to use existing environmental and rights laws to help ensure that all communities regardless of their income or demographics are protected from environmental harm. From our collaboration with and using peertopeer practices,o affect to place a lease one polling site in a location chosen by the tribal government. [applause] this is ministration is standing up for tribal sovereignty and selfgovernment and power. Were defending the rights of men and women in Indian Country to execute their own laws and practices and perform their own civic services. We will ensure that in the future efforts like these will become standard rectus. End, i announced the Justice Department would take steps to draft and adopt a new statement of principles to guide all of the action it would take to work with Indian Tribes. That statement of principles was meant to codify our intention to serve not as a patron but a partner in Indian Country and institutionalize our relationships and reform the criminal Justice System and protect civil rights and treaty rights. I am proud to say that our statement of principles is complete. It has taken effect. [applause] guide forrve as a this administration and every administration as we seek to build a more Perfect Union at a more just society that every individual deserves. All these achievements are vital. Many of them are nothing short than groundbreaking. I recognize the longevity of our compliments depend on the strength of our conditions and the ability and willingness of those who come after us to build upon the progress that we have set in motion. For everything that has been achieved so far, a great deal of important work needs to be done. Thats why the department of justice is committed to programs. [applause] they worked tirelessly. [applause] they were tirelessly to advance the relationship with sovereign tribes in the interest of communities coast to coast. Summer, theway this fellowship that bears her name is creating a new pipeline of expertise and experience in indian law and tribal law. First fellow has been selected. [applause] she will be assigned to the Indian Country crime section. With al serve a portion tribal legal entity within the district. In addition to this vital alice ship, the department of justice is reinforcing a staff for the office of tribal justice, including experts with a deep understanding of the laws impacting Indian Country. People will have a voice in the policy and priority of the United States department of justice. We are redoubling our support of act. Ndian Child Welfare [applause] we will protect indian children from being illegally removed from their families. To prevent the destruction of traditions through forced and unnecessary assimilation. Today i am priest please to announce a new initiative to promote compliance with the indian Child Welfare act. Under this effort, we are working to identify or cases where the United States can file briefs opposing the unnecessary and illegal removal of indian children from their families and from their tribal communities. [applause] we are partnering with the departments of the interior and health and Human Services to make sure that the tools available to the federal government are used to promote compliance with this important law. We will join with those departments and those tribes and welfare organizations across the country to explore training for judges and agencies to promote the tribes authority. We will get information about where the act is being violated and take appropriate, targeted action to make sure the next generation is not safe and proud, but also have the traditions of Indian Cultures. These children and all of those of future generations represent the single greatest promise of our partnership. They will reap the benefits of our ongoing work change. In the last six years, we have worked together in a shared effort and misunderstanding and mistreatment. To bring about a triumph of vision over the status quo, of ingenuity over capacity of progress over stagnation. We have laid an enduring foundation and to empower vulnerable individuals and give them the tools they need not to lead their communities, to bolster them. Not to abandon their ways of life, but to strengthen them. There are many more challenges before us. We have seen the barriers erected over centuries of discrimination. We face a Brighter Future today. We have placed our faith not in conflict, but in respect. We live in different cultures with different traditions, we share the same values. We believe that sovereign nations can protect their citizens from harm and that no perpetrator of Domestic Violence should be granted immunity because of the color of his skin. Autonomy has meeting and should not be overturned to the changing desires of different federal administrations. In oklahoma, montana, new mexico is not phenomenally different than an africanamerican kid growing up in new york city. Neither child to be forced to choose between their cultural average and their wellbeing. [applause] from insurance of people to the dissipation,cratic we are joined together by principles as old as time. Vegetables are embodied by men, women whose ancestors land on this lived on this comment centuries ago. This is my pledge to you today. Because of our partnership and established, have because of the foundation we have built, no matter who sits in the oval office or serves as attorney general of the united the reinforced commitment to these promises will be unwavering and unchangeable. That is the legacy of our Work Together. Normally the Ground Breaking accomplishments i have described today, but the dedication to partnership that is made this possible. My time will soon come to an somethingve embedded that will be here after my departure. I will be proud of the enduring collaborative relationship that we have built. Of the new era of progress we have begun. It is my sincere hope that as the history of this department is written, we will have rated tension paid attention paid to this. Again to thank you once for your passion, or spirits, and your steadfast devotion to the work of our time. I am humbled to stand with you today and every day. I am grateful for your friendship i look forward to the months and years ahead. Thank you very much. [applause] [applause] please welcome our panel participants. Agriculture, of the secretary of hot and the Small Business administration. Please welcome our moderator. [applause] good morning. Chairman and president of the National Congress of American Indians and thank you for being here. Conversationf our is to advance our relationship between the federal government and tribal government. Our subject matter is the discussion about Economic Development. The question for us today is how we Work Together to develop economies that produce jobs and prosperity for tribal communities . We are working with the congress incentivese that the be considered. Sureve focused on making are tribal governments included. We will continue these efforts, but as the administration to its legacy, we need to Work Together to ensure that the focus of this broughtration has tribal Economic Development into the future. We to change the culture of the agencys and to make sure that the changes that are underway work with generations to come. Plan,cant get a marshall maybe we can get an obama plan to commit to rebuilding a tribal economy and to rebuild the agencies. Of an obama plan would be the commitment that this administration has made to a government to government relationship with all of our tribes in this great nation. We need to build on that commitment to modernize our trust relationship and to expand our partnership and revitalize the promises in our treaties. To thehand it over secretary of agriculture for some opening comments are in it is a privilege to be here. We are committed to improving Economic Conditions in Indian Country. The department of agriculture has begun that process with the down payment this year investing six and six 2 million in economic opportunities. That includes housing opportunities and 50 million in water and Wastewater Treatment plant improvements. 23 million in expanding. Roadband access we continue that today with a series of announcements. Approximately 2 million in grants to 12 organizations to expand outreach and encourage a better understanding of the programs. These resources will be added to an aggressive effort that is underway to expand Economic Opportunity and make sure that the leaders are aware of the 10 million Infrastructure Fund that was created recently. And is annsored opportunity to work with cobank. 150 million that was started through theproval farm credit administration. These are Additional Resources with the government has available. I also want to acknowledge and conclude with a recognition of the Important Role culturally and economically that local and regional foods can play. We are committed to trying to expand opportunity and access to locally produced foods and to encourage School Nutrition programs and embrace food preferences and to encourage the use of our local Food Initiative to expand opportunity for the collection of local foods which are extraordinarily in order not only to the culture but also to the health of the children in Indian Country. We look forward to the opportunity of dialogue today. I am honored to be here and humbled to be here. Thank you. I will ask hud secretary who has been on the job for four months to give us a few comments. Can you hear me . Its a pleasure to be here with you. I have been on the job for about four months. I have had the opportunity to visit alaska, north dakota, its up to go to. Ofe been able to get a sense the opportunities and challenges that exist in Indian Country. To get a sense of how diverse those needs and opportunities are. The most poignant visit that i was in southar dakota. I had the chance to visit some of the Committee Members and i saw people who were living in one house, 12 or 13 People Living in one or bedroom house and another where 17 people were living in a four bedroom home. I had a chance to hear about the Housing Needs but also something that all of us are working on. How do we approach this in a holistic way so that we empower communities to create greater Economic Development and quality of life across the board. Lasting legacies of the Obama Administration is going to be that kind of cooperation. We understand that it takes each of us working together to help empower tribal communities. Every year, we make investments in the indian community. We want to work with the department of transportation and the Small Business administration to empower a holistic uplifting of archival communities. It gettingsed to see to the senate. That is the first step. Questions and to the work thats to come. Thank you secretary castro. Thell turn it over to secretary of transportation. Is a pleasure to be with you. My pleasure with being with my colleagues. The department of transportation, we believe that we have a fundamental role in connecting people to the 21st century economy, wherever they states or innited Indian Country. We play a pivotal role in helping that happened. You are familiar with many of the programs that we have. I will list a few that are relevant to the discussion today. And foremost is the Tribal Transportation Program. Puts 450 million into Indian Country every year in terms of building up the infrastructure. Program whichsit is a 30 Million Program area it has doubled over the last couple of years. Today, i am here to announce that we are making public our notice of Funding Availability for 5 million of the travel Transit Program dollars that will go out very shortly. Announcements will be made in the spring. That program has been a very strong and robust contributor to improving Transportation Options in a travel communities across the country. 49 projects were funded in 19 states last year as an example. Been an integral part of how we help build the infrastructure and we awarded six 5. 7 million to travel communities to improve the infrastructure. The final component that we have worked on romney Funding Program thats the went out of the spring. Busnables us to support improvements for travel trends indians in a couple of country communities across the country. That, when i talked with the infrastructure deficit around the country, theres no place that feels it more than Indian Country. It is my mission to do everything we can to help close that infrastructure deficit. I will close with one point. Back in august, we almost went over the highway clip. As a result of congresss inability to figure out how to fund and pay for Transportation Systems overall. Were going to find ourselves back in that same place in may. The program i talked about will be on the table. You to know that the president has a strong commitment to Indian Country and our puzzle to address this infrastructure deficit and to address the highway clip is a proposal. Part of what that act would do is it would increase the Tribal Transportation Program which is 450 million today. That program would be 538 million. We would do more to make sure that we were building broadband in rural areas. In using the opportunity when we build roads to date once and get fiberoptic laid out in Rural Communities so people can have access to the economy. [applause] of the to be part solution and part of the way that people feel and get connected to the 21st century. It will be my mission as long as i am secretary of transportation to make that case. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you. Have the secretary of the Small Business administration. Am i on . I am delighted to be here and see so many good friends i got to know while i was california secretary of business and housing. We wanted to make sure that sovereign nations could get access to transportation to connect people from downtown to uptown. I enjoyed the work that we did around all of the tribes that are settled in california. Find myself having received a call to join the cabinet. I have seniority on julian castro. I have been on the job for seven months. In a fewen involved events but i have never seen the push from the white house that i see here. President , not just publicly but privately is made very sincere comments about his intention about what he was to do with our firstborn. I want to state that to you again. [applause] thank you. Thank you. Aware,se of you who are we used to call ourselves the three cs entity. And in the. And a deep. Now call it smart bold and accessible. We now have to study and understand how we can deploy Smart Systems to get loans to more efficiently. We want new technology to give you a new infant interface so we can get to yes faster when you come in for a business loan. The numbers are heading straight up. We know that native american amilies are not starting with 10 million loan. Their starting with a hundred thousand dollars or less. All of that is around the smart system we are doing. We want to help you create new markets. Thatunched a new program we call quick pay. We are saying to Corporate America that if you pay, our nations first born, we will pay you in 15 days or less. We know the cash flow is everything. When you are stretched out, that does not help you grow jobs and provide for your family. That program has taken hold and we already have i have only been working on this three months. We will continue to work on that until we get to at least 100. That is something the president is very committed to. He is committed to Small Businesses to make sure they can work their cash flow. Third, we want to make sure that if you are in a historically underutilized if this zone, i have a new program. It directs more corporate and Government Spending to underserved communities. We see an uptick in that. We are accessible. I am committed to making sure that people like me, i was born in one low heart. Guadalajara. Ur first language i love the stories that she told me. I feel a connectivity. We speak the same language. I am to make sure that all of our programs are visible accessible. 20 of veterans are from native american beauties and we lost a gram called boots to business to make sure that we are helping people in uniform. That we have 100 million in lending. Thank you. [applause] join me in thanking the panel for the opening remarks. [applause] we have identified some tribal leaders who have some questions task. First io form Vice President. I question for the secretary in the department of agriculture. Broadband services in rural areas was reauthorized in it establishes new procedures to compare applications and set funding priorities. Farm bill is essential to the provision of infrastructure in indian candidates of its facilities through telemedicine resources that support Economic Development and education. Broadband results in jobs. In our rural tribal communities, greatest is cause High Construction cost. Together, it results in Broadband Availability of less than percent. We can participate in the ecommerce. We can build our economy or educate our children. Could you tell us about what opportunities there are in your administration for providing broadband which is a trust research. Is a great bastion an extraordinarily question. Also an issue all over america. We are committed to addressing this. We did establish 10 million for broadband access. That is putting us in a position to make decisions about where resources go. First object under the underserved trust area. One 5 million that would be committed to expanding broadband. You can deal with this through our normal program. We will be prioritizing the areas that are most in need. Sec to putk with the pressure on telecommunications companies. I made reference to the cobank Infrastructure Program which we announced in july. Thats 10 billion. They are looking for projects. I would encourage people to take a look at Infrastructure Funds which is part of usda and use our programs to buy a fuss is thank you. Good morning. Im out of kansas. They gave me the opportunity to speak. I think its clear that the future of our tribal nations lies with our youth. Kyle children are disproportionately affected by teen suicide and drug use Domestic Violence. Club, wes in girls work hard to make reach out to those you can give it is that will help them succeed in school and life. We need more. Kids are the innovators for tomorrows business area we hear the millennials to be entrepreneurs and develop innovative startups. The talent is there. It needs to be richard. The desire to succeed is there in our youth. We make sure they see a path runs andeed dedicated programs to train and encourage and empower our tribal youth to be as steve jobs of tomorrow. Jobs can bext steve a native youth. Postwill benefit our youth whose local economies. I would ask how you envision your agency greasing outreach and funding to help tribal youth become successful players in a imal marketplace and delighted think that question. Im not sure. It is dedicated to promoting innovation. I lost the program just for our atth and i was recently Prince Georges Community College in it is dedicated to our underserved youth. I called on the banks. We designate them as preferred lenders area was the point of having that if they are not engaged. Something out to them else developing toolkit is for our young people. They can learn more about entrepreneurship. Were going to lost that are receiving. That is one initiative. Incubate the incubators. We give grants to incubators that help people think about their innovation and ideas and help them go from start to scale up. We would be delighted to host a special session if you want us to. We can do something across the young peoplelp understand what we are doing in this regard. We see great success. Delighted to sit down with you and work on it further. [applause] good morning. Tried. My of the crew question is that tries to be able to laura and expand opportunities outside of gaining. We need to have a supportive federal agents used to enable us example is wene have a project that we have gotten grants to the department of interior. Time. Having a tough ae project which i hear is priority, is the pushed back by a. Drilling of oil and gas on 6000 pernd it costs well on indian land. Youre saying that indian land is not public land. Example, 10 wells on a reservation would cost 60,000. In the state it would cost 500. I am asking that federal agencies, instead of hampering our efforts, think of points to support our efforts of Economic Development, and initiative. I think a lot of tribes, it is the first time weve heard a lot of your initiatives. A task force on Economic Development, whether it be