For everyone who would like to be at the landmark tribal nations conference with President Obama, I have some good news. You can watch the event via a live video stream. Chances are many people will have to watch this via the Internet because the White House is only allowing one representative per tribe to have an audience with the president. Check out the White House press release — I received it within the last hour — for more details:
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, November 5th, 2009, President Obama will host the White House Tribal Nations Conference. As part of President Obama’s sustained outreach to the American people, this conference will provide leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. Each federally recognized tribe has been invited to send one representative to the conference.
The President will deliver opening and closing remarks and participate in an interactive discussion with tribal leaders. Other interactive discussions in the areas of economic development and natural resources; public safety and housing; and education, health and labor will be led by representatives from the highest levels of the Administration. Expected Administration officials include: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Deputy Attorney General David Ogden, HUD Deputy Secretary Ronald Sims, DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Lute, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli, and Indian Health Service Director Dr. Yvette Robideaux.
The White House Tribal Nations Conference will also be streamed live at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
Please check back on the day of the event for the final schedule.
WHAT: White House Tribal Nations Conference
WHERE: U.S. Department of Interior
Sidney R. Yates Auditorium
1849 C. Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern
The tentative schedule for Conference is as follows:
9:00–9:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:30–10:40 Interactive Discussion with President Obama
10:45-12:15 Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
12:15–1:45 Lunch
1:45-3:00 Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
3:15-4:45 Interactive Discussion with Administration Officials
4:45-5:20 Closing Remarks
Jodi Rave