National | Politics

Brian Cladoosby announces bid for re-election as NCAI president

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby delivered the 2015 State of Indian Nations address in January. Photo from Facebook

Brian Cladoosby is running for a second term as president of the National Congress of American Indians.

Cladoosby, who serves as chairman of the Swinomish Tribe of Washington, was first elected to the post at NCAI's annual convention in October 2013. He defeated Joe Garcia, a council member for Ohkay Owingeh in New Mexico and a former two-term NCAI president, by just 25 votes.

After spending two years as the leader of the largest inter-tribal organization, Cladoosby is gearing up for a second campaign. He vows to unite tribes as they advance their interests across the nation.

“I intend to continue our focus on support for Native youth, improving Indian education, modernizing our trust relationship with the United States, enhancing our health care delivery mechanisms, building economic prosperity for all tribes, and most of all standing up for tribal sovereignty,” Cladoosby said today.

On Facebook, Cladoosby offered more specifics. He said he will work to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act, improve the Indian Health Service and seek more funding for Bureau of Indian Education schools.

"Together, we can continue to build the tomorrow that the grandchildren of our grandchildren can be proud of," Cladoosby said.

The election will take place at NCAI's upcoming annual convention in San Diego, California, this October. The organization's bylaws limit a president to two consecutive terms.