Barack Black Eagle

Today Senator Barack Obama became the first American presidential candidate to visit the reservation of the Crow Nation. That in itself was shocking to me; I have trouble understanding how so many presidential candidates have gone all over the country for so long and not bothered to visit such an important reservation along the way. The most touching part of this story is that as a result of his show of respect and inclusion, he was adopted into the nation under the Crow name "One Who Helps People Throughout the Land."

He was adopted into the nation by his "new parents," Hartford and Mary Black Eagle, making his new name among those assembled Barack Black Eagle. He said he liked it and stated, "That is a good name!"

According to an engaging story in the Washington Post, Obama told the gathering that he intended to acknowledge the "tragic history" of Native Americans over the past three centuries. He said they "never asked for much, only what was promised by the treaty obligations of their forebears," and he promised to honor those treaties and to bring "quality affordable health care and a world class education to reservations all across America. That will be a priority when I'm president."

The visit also brings Obama political benefits. The members of the Crow Nation vote as "a close knit bloc," according to Darrin Old Coyote. "Now that Senator Obama is part of the family, that is where we will go."

Would you like to see some wonderful photos of the event? Click here. Perhaps you'd like to view a video of the event and see him give shout outs to other tribes? Here you go.