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OCR Page 1 of 44DRAFT *** DRAFT DRAFT #10
Executive Order
Initiative for American Indian and Alaska Native Children
and Youth
Preamble. I am proud of my administration's accomplishments in enhancing the partnership
between the Federal government and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal
governments. Since my meeting with tribal leadership in 1994, many steps have been taken to
strengthen the sovereignty and effectiveness of the tribal governments, while discharging the legal
and political responsibilities of the United States government. However, there is a significant and
critical challenge that we must meet together if we are to improve the quality of life and assure
cultural integrity for the First Americans into the future. We must improve the health and well
being of Native American children and youth, and the overall wellness of their communities.
Significant strides have been made in reducing the disproportionate burden of illness and social
distress borne by Native American communities. This has been demonstrated by many health and
social statistics including a great reduction in infant mortality, increasing life expectancy, and
recent levels of improvement in some socio-economic conditions. However, there are worrisome
indicators of insufficient progress among American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We
must affirm together a commitment to strong physical, mental, spiritual, cultural, social,
environmental, and economic health for these children and youth and the communities that they
inhabit. We must strive to bring about safe and healthy homes and communities and ensure that
there is effective personal development for each individual within the context of their developing
communities.
Policy Statement. Consistent with the Federal legal and political responsibilities, the Federal
Government will move forward in strengthening Federal-tribal governmental relations by
engaging in meaningful consultation. The Federal government will seek to implement
comprehensive administrative changes necessary to improve the health, safety, and wellness of
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and youth. Tribal community capacity
building and tribal empowerment are cornerstones of the needed changes. A renewed partnership
of cooperation and collaboration will assist Federal agencies to work with tribes on a government-
to-government basis to deliver quality services to American Indian and Alaska Native
communities.