Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance to Attend 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference
Dec 3, 2012
On Wednesday, December 5, 2012, Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance will attend the White House Tribal Nations Conference. The conference will be held at the Department of the Interior. It provides leaders from the 566 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his administration. Each federally-recognized tribe is allowed to send one representative to the conference.
Chief LaFrance hopes to address issues important to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, “I hope to be able to discuss some of our environmental issues with the Environmental Protection Agency as well as other issues pertaining to land claims and health care. We’re glad to have the opportunity to talk about these issues and to strengthen the government-to-government relationship between not just our tribe, but between all tribal nations and the federal government.”
“Having representation at this level of government is important to us,” remarked Randy Hart, Tribal Chief. “We want our voices to be heard.” The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has sent representatives to two previous conferences. “Since the president will meet face-to-face with tribal leaders, we hope to have that opportunity as well,” said Tribal Chief Paul Thompson.
This will be the fourth White House Tribal Nations Conference for the Obama Administration. It continues to build upon the President’s commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country.
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Please direct media inquiries to David T. Staddon, Public Information Director at 518-358-2272, ext. 286.