First lady Michelle Obama was honored by Native American groups Monday at the Interior Department and, in turn, she praised the agency's employees. A department worker and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe, Nedra Darling, presented Mrs. Obama with a handmade shawl that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said honored a woman of high achievement. The Black Bear Singers, a drum group, performed a traditional song in her honor.
This was the first lady's third stop on a listening tour through the federal bureaucracy to thank employees for their work. "It's been such a great way for me to get to know our new community and to meet you, our new co-workers and our new neighbors," Mrs. Obama said of her visits. She praised Interior Department employees, saying they would be critical to the new administration's energy policies, such as using natural resources responsibly and fighting climate change.
"These aren't only vital for the survival of our planet," she said. "But also incredibly important to strengthen our economy and the well-being of our families." Mrs. Obama also hailed the employee's work as stewards of the nation's land, saying that opportunities to experience nature through hiking and camping were key to family life. She told those working with Native Americans at the department's Bureau of Indian Affairs that her husband, President Barack Obama, will appoint a senior policy adviser in the White House to work with them on issues including health care and education. "Understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now," she said to enthusiastic applause.
Without addressing specifics, Mrs. Obama acknowledged the scandals that have plagued the Interior Department in the recent years, including the conviction of a former deputy secretary for obstructing justice regarding his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The office that oversees oil and gas leasing was also rocked by a scandal last year involving sex, drugs and inappropriate gifts from oil companies. "I know that this is an important time of reform and renewal here in this department," the first lady said. "And as you begin the work, the hard work of taking this department into a new era of excellence, I wanted to come by again to simply say thank you."Mrs. Obama visited the departments of Education, and Housing and Urban Development last week.
(source Associated Press)
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