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New Native Policy Advisor Humbled By Appointment

By Kevin Abourezk

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June 19, 2009

On Monday, President Barack Obama announced his appointment of Kimberly Teehee to the long-awaited position of senior Native policy advisor to serve on the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Teehee of the Cherokee Nation currently serves as senior advisor for Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.). According to a spokeswoman for Kildee, Teehee will not be giving interviews until she begins in her new position in July. However, Kildee's office released this statement on behalf of Teehee:

“I was elated and excited when I received the news of my appointment last week. I am truly humbled and honored by this appointment. I look forward to joining the White House Domestic Policy Council and advising President Obama on issues impacting Indian Country. President Obama is committed to strengthening and building on the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and tribal nations. The White House will hold a Tribal Nations Conference later this fall giving tribal leaders an opportunity to assist the President in developing an agenda for Indian Country.

“My parents are very proud of me. Most of my family live in northeastern Oklahoma, and most are public servants working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service or tribal government, as school teachers or in law enforcement. Like many Native families, they know what it feels like to struggle especially in these challenging times. They are thrilled that President Obama is committed to improving the lives of Native Americans.”

Kevin Abourezk's "Red Clout" columns are available for syndication. Please contact reznet to purchase republishing rights.

Kevin Abourezk, Rosebud Lakota, is a reporter and editor at the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. He writes reznet's "Red Clout" political blog and teaches reporting at the Freedom Forum's American Indian Journalism Institute. Abourezk was awarded a Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in 2006.

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