President Barack Obama last month convened a conference of tribal leaders in Washington, D.C., discussing a wide range of topics related to Indian Country. He met with 12 tribal leaders in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Also in the meeting were Attorney General Eric Holder, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and other administration officials.

The president conveyed to the leaders his commitment to strengthen and build upon the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country. While tribal gaming was discussed infrequently, Obama did have something to say about the Carcieri decision: “I want to note that I support legislation to make clear—in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision—that the Secretary of Interior can take land into trust for all federally recognized tribes,” the president said.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.