In a historic gathering, the Governor of the Gila River Indian Community welcomed President Joe Biden, highlighting his administration's significant investments and commitments to Indian country. The governor emphasized Biden's dedication to tribal sovereignty and the well-being of tribal communities, noting the administration's efforts in infrastructure development, healthcare, and renewable energy projects.

The governor pointed to recent achievements, such as the activation of the first solar over canal project in the Western Hemisphere, as a testament to the positive impact of federal investments. These initiatives, supported by the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, are designed to empower tribal governments and foster partnerships that benefit all communities.

A key theme of the meeting was the acknowledgment of the painful legacy of the boarding school era, which continues to affect Native families today. The governor expressed hope that Biden's visit and his administration's actions would facilitate healing and address the generational trauma caused by this dark chapter in history.

The event underscored a commitment to honoring tribal sovereignty and fostering a collaborative relationship between the federal government and tribal nations, with the governor affirming that when tribal communities thrive, all of America thrives. The program was set to continue with remarks from other community leaders, including the introduction of Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.