Biden vows changes at tribal summit
President Biden on Wednesday pledged to give Native Americans a stronger voice in federal affairs, promising at the first in-person summit on tribal affairs in six years that he would foster “respect for Indigenous knowledge and tribal consultations” in government decision-making.
Biden announced new steps to establish uniform standards for federal agencies to consult with tribes, a plan to revitalize Native languages and new efforts to strengthen the tribal rights that are outlined in existing treaties with Washington.
Biden, who spoke on the opening day of the two-day summit, also announced $135 million in federal money to relocate to safe ground 11 tribal communities that face the impacts of climate-related environmental threats, from Maine to Alaska.