WASHINGTON – On Friday, Jan. 13, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Deputy Secretary Michael L. Connor will join with tribes and Members of Congress to celebrate the enactment of four historic Indian water rights settlements that will benefit nine tribes.
The celebration will include leaders from the Blackfeet Tribe; the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations; the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma and Pala Bands of Mission Indians, and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians. Members of Congress will also attend, including U.S. Senator Steve Daines, U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and U.S. Congressman Ken Calvert.
The Obama Administration has made incredible progress on restoring Indian water rights, completing and enacting 12 tribal water settlements in eight years – more than any previous administration. The total funding authorized for these settlements is close to $3 billion, an enormous commitment that improves the quality of life for tribal members on several Indian reservations. Funds will help bring critical infrastructure to provide safe drinking water and support economic development activities for tribes, including hydroelectric power, agriculture improvements and water marketing.
In her capacity as Chair of the White House Council on Native American Affairs , Secretary Jewell has led a comprehensive federal initiative to work more collaboratively and effectively with tribes to advance their economic and social priorities throughout the government.
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Michael L. Connor, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior
Steve Daines, U.S. Senator, Montana
Tom Cole, U.S. Congressman, Oklahoma
Grace Napolitano, U.S. Congresswoman, California
Ken Calvert, U.S. Congressman, California
Mark Macarro, Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
Terry Tatsey, Vice Chairman, Blackfeet Tribe
Michael Burrage, Former Judge, Choctaw Nation
Neal McCaleb, Chickasaw Nation
Geneva Fitzsimmons, Vice-Chair, San Luis Rey Authority
What:
Indian water rights settlements celebration
When:
Friday, Jan. 13, 2017
10:45 a.m. EST – Media check-in
11:00 a.m. EST – Remarks followed by a brief media availability
Where:
U.S. Department of the Interior
South Penthouse
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Media:
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here. For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed.
Source: Department of Interior
