Chairman of the Agua Caliente Optimistic About New Administration

Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is very optimistic about President Obama and his administration which is taking shape daily.

Milanovich had a face-to-face talk with Obama during the campaign and had government-to-government talks with the Obama transition team back in December.

Milanovich is lobbying the new administration to appoint Native Americans to the federal judiciary and to appointment an assistant secretary of Indian affairs ASAP.

Milanovich told attendees at the recent California Nations Indian Gaming Association conference in Palm Springs that, "He is the first president to include tribal leaders in his considerations."