Mechoopda head to Washington

Today (Nov. 5), Dennis Ramirez, chairman of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, will meet with President Barack Obama. He has been invited, along with the leaders of the other 563 federally recognized tribes, to attend the White House Tribal Nations Conference.

“I believe it’s an exciting honor to be able to speak with the president to get our point across about our issues in Indian country,” he said by phone Tuesday.

On Ramirez’s agenda: better access to health care for tribal elders and access to federal stimulus dollars for intervention, treatment and education programs to curb alcoholism and drug problems amongst tribe members.

He’s also excited by a chance to meet with leaders of other tribes around the nation who are facing similar problems.