Indian leaders of the National Tribal Chairmen's Association (NTCA) had a "productive" meeting with Vice President Walter Mondale at the White House July 24, according to Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Forrest Gerard.
Gerard said that the Indian, in an hour-long meeting, discussed various Indian programs and trust-related issues but "stressed the need for Government consultation with the elected leaders of Indian tribes before making Indian policy decisions."
Gerard said that Vice President Mondale agreed to meet on a regular basis with members of the NTCA Board.
Mondale told the Indians that the Administration was committed to a policy of consultation on Indian matters. He added, however, that consultation did not always bring agreement. He said the Administration, despite Indian objection, did not plan to change its position on moving Bureau of Indian Affairs education programs into the proposed Department of Education.
NTCA President Roger Jourdain, Chairman of Minnesota's Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, was spokesman for the Indian group. Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus, Gerard, Deputy Assistant Secretary George Goodwin and Indian Affairs Associate Solicitor Thomas Fredericks participated in the meeting.
President Carter greeted the Indians on the south lawn of the White House where a group of young Chippewa students from Red lake prior to the meeting preformed a victory dance in the colorful costumes. Jourdain gave the President a war club and said "We want you to go out on the warpath and do something for our young people."
