Obama vows to help tribal groups

Obama vows to help tribal groups
More than 550 leaders of native American communities attended the conference [EPA]

Barack Obama, the US president, has told a gathering of native American leaders that he is committed to giving their communities a equal opportunity to pursue the "American dream".

Obama told the leaders of 564 federally recognised tribes at the Tribal Nations Conference in Washington that few US groups "have been more marginalised and ignored by Washington for as long as native Americans".

"I know that you may be sceptical that this time will be any different, you have every right to be," Obama said on Thursday.

"I want you to know now that I am absolutely committed to moving forward with you in forging a new and better future together.

"It's a commitment to getting this relationship right so that you can be full partners in the American economy and so your children and grandchildren can have an equal shot at pursuing the American dream."

After his speech, Obama signed a document giving US government agencies 90
days to submit proposals on methods ways to improve consultation with leaders of native American communities.

Poverty widespread

Thousands of native Americans live on reservations which in the most part are run by largely autonomous governments.

Sioux Americans in legal fight to reclaim land

Native American communities tend to suffer from high levels of unemployment, poverty and alcoholism.

The US president acknowledged that some native American reservations have unemployment rates of about 80 per cent and that about one quarter of people living on reservations are mired in poverty.

Obama said he hoped that improved communication and consultation between the US government and tribal groups would help improve the lives of native Americans.

"I know you've heard this song from Washington before," Obama said.

"I get it. I am on your side. I understand what it means to be an outsider. I was born to a teenage mother. My father left when I was two years old," he said.

"I know what it means to feel ignored and forgotten and what it means to struggle. So you will not be forgotten as long as I am in this White House."

There are 4.5 million native Americans in the US, representing 1.5 per cent of the total population, according to official figures.

Life expectancy of native Americans, at 72.3, is 4.6 years shorter than the national average.
Source: Agencies