From actforvictory.org

As Rival Meets With Tribal Leader, Bush is Unsure What Tribe Is
August 09, 2004, 05:24 PM
Days before his Democratic opponent met with tribal leaders in Arizona, George W. Bush proved that he does not even understand the meaning of “tribal sovereignty.”
Speaking at the UNITY 2004 convention of minority journalists, Bush drew open laughter when he attempted to explain the meaning of tribal sovereignty. Bush said, “Tribal sovereignty means that. It’s sovereign. You’re a…you’re a…you’ve been given sovereignty and you’re viewed as a sovereign entity.”
Perhaps if Bush better understood what “tribal sovereignty” actually means, his administration would treat Native American communities with more care and respect.
The Bush Administration has deprived the Indian Health Service (IHS) of much-needed funding and resources. Approximately 60 percent of Native Americans rely on the Indian Health Service (IHS) to provide for their health care needs.
Members of the Navajo Nation receive only $800 per capita spending on health care, 14% of the amount spent on average U.S. citizen [Source: Albuquerque Journal, 10/20/03]. “This continual under-funding of the Indian Health Service has an adverse impact on AI/AN communities through diminished health and well-being. This is reflected by higher mortality rates than the rest of the population.” [Source: National Indian Health Board, 03/08/04]
Under the misplaced priorities of the Bush Administration, federal prisoners receive twice as much in federal per-capita spending on health care than Native Americans. [Source: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Office of the General Counsel, Native American Health Care Disparities Briefing, http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/nahealth/nahealth.htm ]