VOA常速英语:Obama Honoured as ’Adopted Son’ by American Tribal National Leaders(翻译)

President Barack Obama enjoyed a jubilant welcome from representatives of 567 federally recognized tribes,taking part in a traditional Native American honoring ceremony.

When he held the first tribal nations conference he vowed to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship with Indian country.

He said he is proud of his record.We haven’t solved every issue;we haven’t righted every wrong,but together we‘ve made significant progress in almost every area.Together we’ve permanently protected sacred lands for future generations.We’ve restored more than 428,000 acres of tribal homelands to their original owners.”

The president said many of the participants came together across tribes and across the country to support the community of the standing Rock Sioux Tribe .The Tribe sued to block construction of the Cota Acess oil pipeline,citing concerns over potential water contamination and destruction to culturally sacred sites.Their leader told VOA their concerns are simple.“It is to protect our water; protect our ancestral sites; protect our children,even the ones that are not here yet, and stand up with our sovereign rights.”

A federal judge in Washington denied the Standing Rock tribe’s request for a temporary injunction to stop the pipeline.But the Obama administration intervened with a joint statement requesting that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity near an important lake.President Obama said he hopes he will leave a strong legacy for the next U.S. president of consulting tribal leaders on all matters that impact Indian country.