Sealaska CEO McNeil Attended President Obama’s Tribal Leaders Meeting

On Thursday November 5, 2009 President Obama hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference. The event was held at the Department of Interior and each of the 564 federally recognized tribes has been invited to send a representative. President Obama delivered opening and closing remarks at the ceremony.

President Obama announced on October 13, 2009 that he would hold the Nation-to-Nation meeting with all federally recognized tribes. This is a historic event where a sitting President has invited a representative from each of the federally recognized tribes to meet. 

The historic meeting included Southeast Alaska Native leaders including Sealaska President & CEO Chris McNeil. Mr. McNeil is Tlingit and a member of the Nisga’a Nation. He is Eagle Daklaweidi (Killerwhale) House. 

In a written statement, President Obama said “I look forward to hearing directly from leaders in Indian Country about what my Administration can do to not only meet their needs, but help improve their lives.” 

Sealaska director Clarence Jackson Sr. was invited to give the opening invocation. He is Tlingit Eagle Tribe, Tsaagweidí (Killerwhale) Clan, child of Kaach.ádi Clan. 

Pictured below is Clarence Jackson delivering the invocation. Reprinted with permission from Alaska Public Telecommunications Inc.

President Obama delivers remarks at White House, Tribal Nations conference

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