President Obama was honored with a blanket ceremony at his eighth and final White House Tribal Nations conference Monday, when he donned a Native American hat and blanket.
“To blanket is to remember those we honor, those we lost, and those who are going to build our futures,” said National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby just before he wrapped Obama in a black-and-red blanket named, USA Today reported.
The embroidered inscription on the blanket gave Obama the name, “Black Eagle,” and a description that read “Awe Kooda Bilaxpak Kuxshish,” or “One Who Helps People Throughout the Land,” CNN reported.
Obama called the ceremony “an amazing honor” as members from different tribes played drums and shakers in front of an audience made up of representatives from the 567 federally recognized tribes, CNN noted.
“What a kind gesture for the honor song and the blanket and the hat," Obama said. "I have to say that I’m very glad that you also have a blanket for Michelle so she doesn’t steal mine. She would, too. I’m just saying.”
Obama referred to the ceremony as “very moving” and added that it speaks volumes about the great friendships he’s developed among tribal communities.
This annual conference, which brings in tribal leaders for high-level consultations with administration officials, served as a symbol of Obama’s Native American policy, USA Today noted.
Obama used the opportunity to highlight his administration’s efforts toward improving conditions on reservations.
“We’ve made a lot of progress for Indian Country over the past eight years,” Obama said. “And this moment highlights why it’s so important that we redouble our efforts to make sure that every federal agency truly consults and listens and works with you, sovereign to sovereign.”
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