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New Redding Rancheria Council Chair Enjoyed Meeting Obama
at First Nations Conference
First, Jack Potter Jr., congratulations on your recent election as Redding Rancheria Tribal Council Chair and your first trip as chair to Washington D.C. for the First Nations Conference, the largest gathering of tribal leaders in U.S. history - 564 representatives.
– Tell us about the First Nations Conference of Nov. 5, 2009. What was its purpose and why did you attend?
During Obama’s campaign he made a promise to Tribal Nations to meet face-to-face at a summit to discuss topics such as education, housing, sovereignty, labor, land issues, and trust and treaties (the government’s fiduciary obligation). All federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States were asked to join him and his Cabinet for an annual meeting. As the newly elected Tribal Chairperson of the Redding Rancheria, I was honored to be asked to attend to represent my Nation.
– What was your take on the meeting with President Obama?
I felt he was very sincere. He wasn’t just feeding us words off of a teleprompter. He was speaking to us with heart. He impressed me by having knowledge of every Nation being represented, that we had our own religions, languages and cultures. He spoke to that.
– Did anything surprise you about the conference?
I was surprised that he stepped into the audience and reached out to shake hands with the crowd without a line of security to guard or limit him. It seemed as if he was comfortable with all the Native Nations.
– What else did you do while you were in D.C.?
I attended the Embassy of Tribal Nations with the National Congress of American Indians. I went to a Senate Indian Affairs hearing and I met with the Departments of Agriculture, Health & Human Services, and Education. I met with Congressman Boren (Indian Country supporter from Oklahoma), Congressman Dale Kildee (chairman of the Native American Caucus) and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (New Mexico).
– What else would you like to tell us?
I look forward to Obama’s promise to meet with our Nations annually and that he does what he spoke about regarding issues dealing with Indian Country. I look forward to representing my Nation to the best of my ability and look forward to a new relationship with the United States Government.
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I read this article & I am hurt by the fact that this person is getting praised for his elected position & his trip to the White House. If you can remember, he was one that disenrolled (kicked out) my family, the 76 members of the Foreman family out of the Redding Rancheria tribe. Since the death of my father, Bob Foreman, Nov. 08, who was the first Tribal Chairman of the tribe who died with no justice. We are still traumatized from this ordeal. Our rights have been violated with no justice for our ancestors & our family of elders, men, women & children. Our children continue to ask why this happened & why does the community support these people who persecuted us. I would like to know from a person as yourself to tell them why. Is it because we have been forgotten? The money that was stolen from our family & given to the community to buy support? I know that as Americans we do not support such actions of other countries where there leaders oppress and/or torture their citizens & we take a stand. I am appalled by & I will continue to address this issue as it is a local issue as well as a tribal issue & human issue. Where is the moral compass of the community? If you only knew what we have had to go thru, I think you would think otherwise. If you would like to meet with me in person, I will answer any question you would like to ask. Reminder: This month on January 27th of 2004 is when my family was “disenrolled” from the tribe. 2002 was when the conspiracy started. The last 5 years of my life has been a nightmare. Please go to tribalcorruption.com for more info.
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carla it is very sad we still do not support the redding rancheria
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