By Santee Ross, University of Montana

President Barack Obama is by far my favorite president of all time. I love him for his brilliant ad campaign posters—maybe his good looks too. The main reason I love Obama is because he actually gives a damn about Native Americans.

Obama, during his presidency, has held two conferences with Native Americans in order to advocate stronger relations. He has scheduled a third conference with Native American leaders for December 2.

Let me just mention here that most of the past presidents had done a meet and greet—don’t want to look bad if they turn away the Indians. President Obama is the only one who has actually listened to the Native American people.

The first time Obama held a meeting with Native Americans I was blown away. I had to ask my mother—literally, “Say that again?” I knew Obama’s main campaign was for change but for the first time in a very long time, here was a president who kept his word.

After hearing about that first meeting I actually believed the president about change and hope. Perhaps we can actually see changes throughout Indian Country with his help.

Now I know there has been a lot of criticizing of Obama and his actions as president. When Obama entered the office he had an 82 percent approval rating. That rating has decreased to about 40 percent.

I don’t understand this drop because he is not a one-man band. He has to work with an uncooperative legislative body and yet the country continues to nit-pick his actions like an old grandmother nit-picks over her frybread.

Let’s criticize the president for real reasons, because he created tax breaks that tanked the economy or failed to advocate for quality healthcare—which in the eight years the George Bush administration failed at. Oh wait, Obama did accomplish those things, maybe people should give credit where credit is due.

Santee Ross (Hopi/Lakota) is from Lander, Wyo.