National Indian Group Applauds Obama Visit to Standing Rock

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The National Congress of American Indians is applauding President Barack Obama for fulfilling a promise to visit Indian Country.

Obama is visiting the Standing Rock Reservation in the Dakotas to get a firsthand look at culture and also the problems there.

The National Congress of American Indians says in a statement that having Obama visit Indian Country has been "a longtime priority." It says the president's visit builds on his administration's efforts to work closely with tribal nations.

Obama is only the third sitting president to come into Indian Country in almost 80 years. In 2008, then-candidate Obama pledged to expand health services, improve education, combat methamphetamine dealers, promote economic development and improve housing on reservations.

Some Standing Rock residents say many of those promises have yet to be met.