First Lady receives song, shawl

Obama to elevate Indian affairs

White House » President will appoint adviser to work with tribes, first lady says.President Barack Obama will soon name a senior White House adviser for tribal issues in a move that elevates the concerns of American Indians to a higher point than previous administrations.

First Lady Michelle Obama told employees at the Interior Department on Monday that American Indians have a "wonderful partner in the White House right now," and her husband plans to improve that relationship even more.

"He'll soon appoint a policy adviser to his senior White House staff to work with tribes and across the government on these issues such as sovereignty, health care, education--all central to the well-being of Native American families and the prosperity of tribes all across this country," the first lady said.

President Obama vowed on the campaign trail that he would name a senior adviser to work as a liaison for American-Indians affairs, as well as hold an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders.Obama to appoint senior advisor on Native Americans

The president will soon name a White House advisor to work with tribes on issues central to the well-being and prosperity of Native Americans, First Lady Michelle Obama says.The first lady, embarking on a tour of all the federal agencies, was greeted with a traditional tribal "honor song" and wrapped in a bright lavender shawl.

Nedra Darling, director of public affairs for Interior and a spokeswoman for the office of the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs, draped the shawl over Obama's shoulders.

Washington is "a hard place to live and work," said Darling, a member of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi tribe from a reservation north of Topeka, Kan.

She said the song and shawl will give the first lady "strength and courage and duration through her tenure and beyond."Comment:  For more on the subject, see The 2008 Presidential Campaign.