WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama is likely to get a good reception when he meets for the third time with leaders of Native American tribes in Washington. He’s been getting high praise from Native Americans for breaking through a logjam of inaction on issues that affect their nations.
This week his administration unveiled proposed sweeping changes to federal tribal land leasing rules that had not changed in 50 years. He nominated a Native American to the federal bench, signed a law renewing the Indian Health Care Act that lapsed in 2000 and settled a tribal royalties lawsuit that had dragged on over three administrations.
Obama has also embraced tribal sovereignty.
But the problems facing Indian Country are many, so tribes are expected to ask more of the president at the meeting.
