State of Indian Nations Address

Photo courtesy of www.indianz.com

Well I have to admit total ignorance of this organization and event until just this month. (Clearly, I have more work to do on my Southwestern awareness.) Joe Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), delivered the annual "State of the Indian Nations" address on January 25 at the National Press Club in Washington DC. For the past five years, this speech has been delivered just after the US President's "State of the Nation" address.

From their website:

The NCAI was founded in 1944 in response to termination and assimilation policies that the United States forced upon the tribal governments in contradiction of their treaty rights and status as sovereigns. NCAI stressed the need for unity and cooperation among tribal governments for the protection of their treaty and sovereign rights.

In his address, Mr. Garcia called on the 250 member tribes to draw on cultures, traditions, and ancient teachings to ensure a thriving Indian Country for the next generation. Click here to read the full text of the speech.

A bit of local pride: Joe Garcia is a member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, just north of Santa Fe.