So there's a lot of work to be done today.  But before we get at it, I want to close with this.  I know you've heard this song from Washington before.  I know you've often heard grand promises that sound good but rarely materialize.  And each time, you're told this time will be different.  But over the last few years, I've had a chance to speak with Native American leaders across the country about the challenges you face, and those conversations have been deeply important to me.

I get it.  I'm on your side.  I understand what it means to be an outsider.  I was born to a teenage mother.  My father left when I was two years old, leaving her -- my mother and my grandparents to raise me.  We didn't have much.  We moved around a lot.  So even though our experiences are different, I understand what it means to be on the outside looking in.  I know what it means to feel ignored and forgotten, and what it means to struggle.  So you will not be forgotten as long as I'm in this White House.  (Applause.)  All right.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Together, working together, we're going to make sure that the First Americans, along with all Americans, get the opportunities they deserve.  So with that, if I'm not mistaken, I am in a position now to start signing this memorandum, and then we're going to do a little Q&A.  So get everything set up -- how many pens do you want me to use?  Eight pens.  (Laughter.)  I don't know who's getting the pens, but --

Excerpts taken from:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/05/white-house-tribal-nations-conference