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Arizona Tribes Represented at the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference

Arizona Indian Gaming Association’s Chairman Terry Rambler introduced President Obama at the closing session of the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference

December 5, 2014

Conference aims to advance nation-to-nation building

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2014

(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Wednesday, December 3, Arizona Indian Gaming Association’s Chairman Terry Rambler introduced President Obama at the closing session of the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Chairman Rambler, also the Tribal Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, attended the White House Tribal Nations Conference where leaders from the 566 federally recognized tribes met with the White House Council on Native American Affairs.

In its sixth year, the Tribal Nations Conference provided tribal leaders the opportunity to meet with President Obama and thirteen members of his cabinet. The conference highlighted the importance of engaging Native Youth in the process and providing future platforms to prepare tomorrow’s leaders. Cabinet members led discussions from the Department of Education, Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Justice.

“It was such a humbling experience to stand before the honorable Tribal leaders from across the United States to introduce President Barack Obama. I was so proud to be joined with fellow Tribal leaders from Arizona, and together with others nation’s leaders, our voices were heard by President Obama and members of his Cabinet on the concerns and challenges of our nations and our people. This opportunity was an incredible honor and this gathering was a historic moment for all Native People,” said Chairman Terry Rambler. Tribal Nations from Arizona represented at the White House Conference included Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Ft. Mojave Indian Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Yavapai Apache Nation.

During his speech, President Obama announced the release of a new Native Youth Report which will address key issues affecting Native Youth while providing recommendations for “a path forward.” Joining tribal leaders were 36 Native Youth Ambassadors, each of whom were nominated to attend the conference. White House Tribal Nation Youth Ambassadors from Arizona represented Gila River Indian Community, Navajo Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe and Tohono O’Odham Nation. Alec Ferreira, San Carlos Apache and sophomore at Brophy College Preparatory, when asked about his experience as a White House Tribal Nation Youth Ambassador stated, “The White House Tribal Nations Conference was a once in a lifetime learning experience that I will remember the rest of my life. The contacts that I made with other Youth Tribal Leaders, with members of the Obama Administration and his Cabinet, and with Tribal Leaders were very important. In my role as a Youth Ambassador I realize that as youth we need to begin preparing for our time to be leaders by getting educated, gaining experience and developing networks with other Tribal Nations. With experiences like this, as youth we begin seeing how we must learn to share our Tribes story, message and challenges to those in the US Government so we can work together and honor our government to government relations.” The dialogue for tribal youth will continue through a new national network called Generation Indigenous. Additionally, next year the White House will hold its first Tribal Youth Gathering in the summer of 2015.

About AIGA

AIGA has a membership of 18 tribes representing more than 90% of the Indian people living on reservations in Arizona. AIGA was established November 21, 1994 by Arizona tribal leaders. The Association is committed to advancing the lives of Indian peoples – economically, socially and politically – so that Indian tribes in Arizona can achieve their goal of self-reliance. Current membership includes: Ak-Chin Indian Community, Cocopah Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, Havasupai Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab-Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai Apache Nation and the Zuni Tribe.

For information about AIGA visit www.azindiangaming.org or www.benefitingarizona.org