What will the Trump administration do to or with Indian Country? That was the topic of conversation as the tribes of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas held their quarterly meeting last week in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The meeting was attended by about 50 representatives.
Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association gave an update to the group.
He said, “I think we’re off to a great start there. It’s time to get over the shock. Yes, Donald Trump is our president and yes, there are some challenges, but I think in Indian Country what we’re trying to do is not look historically at his posture but look forward.”
Stevens said he has spoken to Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of the Interior, Rep. Ryan Zinke, when Zinke attended the Native Nations Inaugural Ball on January 20. The secretary-designate, a former Navy SEAL and a freshman congressman from Montana when he was tapped for the nomination, spoke with tribal leaders for several hours.
“We have to provide an education to this new president, this new Congress and Senate, and that’s my message for today,” Stevens said. “Education is the key, Indian folks are good at it, we wouldn’t be here today without the education we’ve received.”
