Quapaw tribe among 564 tribes to take part in Tribal Nation’s Conference in Washington D.C.

One representative from each of the 564 federally recognized tribes are welcome to a Tribal Nations Conference in November located in Washington D.C. This invitation is directly from President Barack Obama. “ This is kind of special, this is a special opportunity for us to come as a single voice and for us to show our support for the president, but also inform him of our needs," says John Berrey, the Chairman of the Quapaw Tribal Business Committee. This article found in www.koamtv.com is one of special interest as our Quapaw Tribe from Ottawa County, Oklahoma is one of the selected tribes to attend. The main issue that John Berrey would like to bring to President Obama is as most Americans, health care. Mr. Berrey also stated he is in hopes one of the subjects that will be brought up to the President Obama is the Native Americans ongoing social issues. This conference is scheduled on November 5th of this year.

I was very excited to hear that the Quapaw Tribe was invited to the conference in November. This article took my attention, for my heritage is one of Indian, and my grandmother made this very clear. The fact that the heads of these 564 tribes are conferencing to allow the voices and concerns of all the tribes to be given a voice is wonderful. Mr. Berrey has wonderful issues that need to be addressed as well as others I am sure. I felt best knowing that Mr. Berrey also wanted to listen to what Barack Obama has to say as well as voicing his concerns.

My outlook towards this situation increased to a more positive one the more I read the article then it was prior. As Mr. Berrey stated, “It’s the relationship with the Indian Health Service that we want to talk to him about.” This is a subject that white, black or Indian, or any other American has issues with that needs to be discussed. Being unemployed as I am with no insurance, I can relate to this issue of healthcare.

As Berrey stated, “Tribal People have been in the system of being in a paternal relationship with the federal government and over the years, and over time it’s made it a challenge for some families to get out of the cycle.” This isn’t only American Indians; this is most of the United States in that, “Paternal relationship with the federal government.” I only hope the best for Mr. Berrey in voicing his opinion in helping the Indian issues needing to be addressed. The American Indian’s has came a long way from the pioneer days, but the hope I have is that the voices that will be heard is does not fall on deaf ears. All 564 tribes need to become one voice so all can be heard and not drowned out by the many. I also think this will be a good example for the president to make a difference in the lives of those who have heritage here in the USA longer then most.