National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel plans to offer solutions to make Indian Country stronger in his 2012 State of Indian Nations on Thursday.

Keel, who serves as Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, will deliver the speech at 10:30am at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. He will respond to the 2012 State of the Union from President Barack Obama

“President Obama outlined a clear path for the economic future of America in the State of the Union – we support these efforts as Indian Country is integral to revitalizing the American economy. We call on the Administration and Congress to free our economies and create a more flexible government that honors the ability of Tribal Nations to determine our own future,” Keel said.

Keel will be joined by Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), also Chickasaw, and other members of Congress. Cole will provide a Congressional response to the State of Indian Nations.

“Members of both parties in the House and Senate have shown that issues affecting tribes are nonpartisan," Keel observed. "The President has shown outstanding support of tribes. The time to act is now. In our national address we will outline legislation and action the federal government can take right now, to make Indian Country even stronger.”

The speech will be webcast at www.ncai.org and broadcast on the Native Voice One radio network and on Native America Calling.

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