February 13, 2010

Obama and 'First Americans'

By Philip C. Bom
President Obama's mandate to implement tribal consultation across all federal departments by February 3, 2010 jeopardizes our national sovereignty and constitutional federalism. It will fundamentally change the unique political and legal relationship between the USA and Indian tribes.Our president is determined to fully implement President Clinton's Executive Order 13175 relating to "Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments." Clinton's decree coincided with the United Nations' adoption in 1997 of the Declaration of the "Rights of Indigenous Peoples." The USA and Canada voted against adoption, and this may help explain why President Clinton waited until the very end of his term to quietly issue the Executive Order. The U.N. Declaration states that the "arrangements between States and indigenous peoples are ... matters of international concern, interest, responsibility and character" and proclaims itself "a standard of achievement...(Read Full Article)