President Joe Biden told Native American nations gathered for a summit Wednesday that his administration was working to heal the wrongs of the past as he signed an executive order that seeks to make it easier for Indigenous peoples to access federal funding, and have greater autonomy over how to spend it.Biden also threw his support behind a request to allow the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to compete under its own flag in the 2028 Olympics in lacrosse, a sport they invented.Historically, federal policies attacked Native people’s rights to self-governance and caused lasting economic damage. Biden said the actions at the summit were “key steps” that would help usher in a new era of tribal sovereignty. “A new era grounded in dignity and respect that recognizes your fundamental rights to govern and grow on your own terms,” he said.”It’s hard work to heal the wrongs of the past and change the course, and move forward,” Biden said.Yurok Tribal Council Member Phillip Williams described Biden’s speech as inspirational.”It felt like our highest official in the land acknowledges the crimes of the past,” he said. “His contribution to society is to help to heal the tribal…
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