Sovereignty, Government-to-Government Relationship Top Agenda for Tribal Leaders By Tanya Lee WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- Native American leaders know what they want from the next president: recognition of tribal sovereignty; acknowledgement of government-to-government relationships that were guaranteed in innumerable treaties and the U.S. Constitution; and the restoration of federal funding support for services to Native America. An advisor to the president who would counsel on Native American issues could also be extremely helpful. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. told NewsWatch, "An advisor to the president would be very close to the throne and that would help make things happen. I'm all for it. We need to be at the table. We need to be heard." Mark van Norman, executive director of National Indian Gaming Association, said, "We want to see a focus on government-to-government relationships, which are rooted in treaty rights; respect for Native American tribes; and restoration of basic services - for health care, law enforcement, education. A presidential assistant for Indian affairs would give more direct access." Robert Holden, director of emergency management and radioactive waste programs for the National Congress of American Indians, said, "There are many unfulfilled promises in Indian Country. We have an obligation to appeal to the federal government and political appointees who head agencies to honor treaty rights and basic human rights." Oklahoma State Rep. Chuck Hoskins, D-Vinita (Muskogee/Cherokee), said the Democratic National Convention, which just completed its work in Denver, has taken some of these issues to heart in their platform. "The Democratic platform recognizes the sovereignty of Native Americans and Alaska Natives that has always existed. The unique government-to-government relationship the tribes have is very important," Hoskins said. "The platform calls for an Indian advisor in the White House, as well as an annual meeting with tribal leaders where the federal officials are not talking to the tribes but talking with them." The platform put forward by the Democratic Party explicitly addresses some of these issues, stating: "American Indian and Alaska Native tribes have always been sovereign, self-governingcommunities, and we affirm their inherent right to self-government as well as the unique government-to-government relationship they share with the United States. In exchange for millions of acres of land, our nation pledged to provide certain services in perpetuity; we will honor our nationÕs treaty and trust obligations by increasing resources for economic development, health care, Indian education, and other important services. We will respect American Indian cultural rights and sacred places, wrote the Democratic National Convention Committee." The platform makes a firm promise to the Native American community: "We will create a White House advisor on Indian Affairs; and we will host an annual summit with Indian leaders." Another section of the platform suggests that the president to appoint the advisor within the first 100 days of his administration, and to hold the first annual summit within the first year.