The California Valley Miwok Tribe – located at 10601 Escondido Pl., Stockton, CA (As listed in the Federal Register of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, BIA/DOI), a federally recognized tribe eligible to receive and distribute services from the federal government – on Friday, December 17th, 2010, received a Holiday Greeting addressed from the White House and sent by President of the United States Barack Obama and his family. That the President took the time in his busy schedule to send this greeting and that he is aware of the Tribe and where the Tribe resides has provided a level of comfort to its chairperson and members over what is hoped to be the last in a many years long string of deficient holidays the federally recognized tribal members have had to endure due to denial of federal program assistance.
The President, well aware of the hardships that all minority female leaders face, knows all too well what Chairperson Burley endures as a Native American and duly elected female leader of her tribe. That Mr. President Barak Obama, his lovely wife, First Lady Michelle Obama and their adorable children Malia and Sasha signed the greeting as a family without using the format of elected title and sent the letter to Silvia in likewise fashion holds much meaning for her personally over this holiday and gives the Tribe renewed strength and hope for the new year; even if the current federal assistance rightfully due to the tribe continues to be denied. The Tribe will expand and continue to run all of the 2010 programs initiated both by the Tribe and individual tribal members in 2011, and through these righteous humane endeavors shall forever persevere against all adversity.
