Senator Barack Obama visits the Crow Nation in Montana and becomes Barack Black Eagle, “The One Who Helps People Throughtout the Land.”
For all the symbolism — members of the tribe wore colorful traditional clothing and feathered head-dresses — Obama addressed some issues of serious concern not only to the 12,100-member Crow Nation but to many Native American tribes around the country.
Obama told those gathered that he intended to acknowledge the “tragic history” of Native Americans over the past three centuries. They “never asked for much, only what was promised by the treaty obligations of their forebears,” he said, promising to honor those treaties.
Moreover, he pledged to bring sorely-needed “quality affordable health care and a world class education to reservations all across America. That will be a priority when I’m president.”
The visit was meaningful, said Darrin Old Coyote, a member of the tribe who wore an elaborate headdress. “To have us left out all these years, and then for him to come here, it shows respect, and it makes us optimistic,” Old Coyote said.
Filed under: Barack Obama, family, news, politics | Tagged: Barack Obama, Crow Nation, Democratic primary, election 2008, Native Americans
