White House Memorandum on Government-to-Government Relationships with Native Governments

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Sept. 23 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

The museum’s location on the Mall is fitting, because the American Indian experience is central to the American story. That
story has involved great injustice against native peoples and great contribution by native
peoples.
We remember Sacagawea’s presence with
Lewis and Clark. What a heroic woman she
was. We remember the patriotism and bravery of the Code Talkers in World War II.
We’re still looking for Clarence Wolf Guts.
[Laughter] We also remember all the Native
Americans who fought to defend America,
including the 17 American service personnel
we just recognized here.
Native Americans have supported this
country during its times of need, and their
contributions have made America stronger
and better. Decades ago, there were some
who viewed American Indians as the vanishing Americans, people on the margins of
our national life. Yet, the exhibits in the new
museum and the museum itself carry a different message. Many of its staff and curators
are Native Americans, and the exhibits are
created in close consultation with the tribes.
The National Museum of the American Indian shows how your ancestors once lived,
and it does much more than that. It affirms
that you and your tribal governments are
strong and vital today and provides a place
to celebrate your present achievements and
your deepest hopes for the future. It allows
all Americans to experience the rich culture
of the American Indian.
Native American cultures survive and
flourish when tribes retain control over their
own affairs and their own future. That is why,
earlier this morning, I signed an Executive
memorandum to all Federal agencies reaffirming the Federal Government’s longstanding commitment to respect tribal sovereignty and self-determination. My Government will continue to honor this governmentto-government relationship.
Long before others came to the land called
America, the story of this land was yours
alone. Indians on this continent had their
own languages and customs, just as you have
today. They had jurisdiction over their lands
and territories, just as you have today. And
these sovereign tribal nations had their own

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systems of self-governance, just as you have
today.
The National Museum of Indian Affairs affirms that this young country is home to an
ancient, noble, and enduring native culture.
And all Americans are proud of that culture.
Like many Indian dwellings, the new museum building faces east, toward the rising
sun. And as we celebrate this new museum
and we look to the future, we can say that
the sun is rising on Indian country.
Welcome to the White House. May God
bless you. Thanks for coming.
NOTE: The President spoke at 8:35 a.m. in the
East Room at the White House. In his remarks,
he referred to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
of Colorado and his wife, Linda; and Clarence
Wolf Guts, World War II veteran and Lakota
Sioux code talker.

Memorandum on Government-toGovernment Relationship With
Tribal Governments
September 23, 2004
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive
Departments and Agencies
Subject: Government-to-Government
Relationship with Tribal Governments
The United States has a unique legal and
political relationship with Indian tribes and
a special relationship with Alaska Native entities as provided in the Constitution of the
United States, treaties, and Federal statutes.
Presidents for decades have recognized this
relationship. President Nixon announced a
national policy of self-determination for Indian tribes in 1970. More recently, Executive
Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,
was issued in 2000. I reiterated my Administration’s adherence to a government-to-government relationship and support for tribal
sovereignty and self-determination earlier
this year in Executive Order 13336, entitled
American Indian and Alaska Native Education.
My Administration is committed to continuing to work with federally recognized

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Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Sept. 23
tribal governments on a government-to-government basis and strongly supports and respects tribal sovereignty and self-determination for tribal governments in the United
States. I take pride in acknowledging and reaffirming the existence and durability of our
unique government-to-government relationship and these abiding principles.
This commitment begins at the White
House, where my Director of Intergovernmental Affairs serves as my White House liaison with all Indian nations and works with
federally recognized tribal governments on
an intergovernmental basis. Moreover, it is
critical that all departments and agencies adhere to these principles and work with tribal
governments in a manner that cultivates mutual respect and fosters greater understanding to reinforce these principles.
Accordingly, the head of each executive
department and agency (agency) shall continue to ensure to the greatest extent practicable and as permitted by United States law
that the agency’s working relationship with
federally recognized tribal governments fully
respects the rights of self-government and
self-determination due tribal governments.
Department or agency inquiries regarding
this memorandum, specifically those related
to regulatory, legislative, or budgetary issues,
should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget.
This memorandum is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and is not intended to, and does
not, create any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by a party against
the United States, its agencies, entities, or
instrumentalities, its officers or employees,
or any other person.
George W. Bush

The President’s News Conference
With Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of
Iraq
September 23, 2004
President Bush. Thank you all for coming. I’m honored to stand with the Prime
Minister of a free and sovereign Iraq. Welcome, Mr. Prime Minister. I applaud your

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leadership and your courage. It’s my honor
to welcome a friend to the White House.
Prime Minister Allawi. Thank you.
President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister,
you’ve accomplished a great deal in less—
in the 3 months since the transition to a free
Iraq that is governed by Iraqis. These have
been months of steady progress, despite persistent violence in some parts of your country. Iraqis and their leaders are engaged in
a great and historic enterprise to establish
a new democracy at the heart of a vital region.
As friends of liberty, the new leaders of
Iraq are friends of America and all civilized
nations. As enemies of tyranny and terror,
the people of Iraq and the American troops
and civilians supporting their dreams of freedom have been the target of acts of violence.
The enemies of freedom are using suicide
bombing, beheadings, and other horrific acts
to try to block progress. We’re sickened by
the atrocities, but we’ll never be intimidated.
And freedom is winning.
Mr. Prime Minister, America will stand
with you until freedom and justice have prevailed. America’s security and Iraq’s future
depend on it.
The Iraqi people are showing great courage and great determination. As terrorists
have attacked Iraqi security forces, still more
brave Iraqis have come forward to volunteer
to serve their country. As killers have attempted to assassinate Government officials,
Iraq’s leaders have refused to be intimidated,
and the vast majority of Iraqis remain committed to democracy.
The path to our safety and to Iraq’s future
as a democratic nation lies in the resolute
defense of freedom. If we stop fighting the
terrorists in Iraq, they would be free to plot
and plan attacks elsewhere, in America and
other free nations. To retreat now would betray our mission, our word, and our friends.
Mr. Prime Minister, America will keep its
commitments.
The path ahead is difficult because a free
Iraq has deadly enemies. Remnants of the
old regime and terrorist groups want to prevent Iraq’s elections and demoralize Iraq’s
allies. Because of that, Prime Minister Allawi
and I believe terrorist violence may well escalate as the January elections draw near. The

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