National | Politics

National Congress of American Indians opens annual meeting

Monday, October 14, 2013

The National Congress of American Indians kicks off its 70th annual convention today.

More than 3,000 representatives of tribes across the nation are meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to discuss key issues affecting Indian Country. Hot topics this year include the shutdown of the federal government, the sequestration of the federal budget, the Indian Child Welfare Act and the election of a new president of the organization.

The election takes place on Thursday. Candidates include: Brian Cladoosby, the chairman of the Swinomish Tribe; Juana Majel-Dixon, a council member for the Pauma Band of Mission Indians who currently serves as NCAI's first vice president; Joe Garcia, a council member for Ohkay Owingeh and a former NCAI president; and George Tiger, the chief of the Muscogee Nation.

The winner succeeds Jefferson Keel, the lieutenant governor of the Chickasaw Nation. He is wrapping up his second consecutive term in office, the limit set by NCAI rules.

Highlights of the week follow:

Monday, October 14
9:10am - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin
1:45pm - Tribal Supreme Court Update
2:45pm - Suzan Shown Harjo on Racist Mascots
Tuesday, October 15
11:30am - Honoring Dusten Brown, Cherokee Nation father
1:30pm - Breakout sessions on sovereignty, Keepseagle settlement, the Native vote and more
Wednesday, October 16
10:15am - Nominations and speeches for NCAI election
11:30am - Just Move It! walk through downtown Tulsa
1:30pm - Breakout sessions on Tribal TANF, Affordable Care Act, water rights, taxation and more
Thursday, October 17
10:30am - Election!
12pm - Google training for tribal businesses and organizations
2pm - Update on ICWA cases
7pm - Banquet
Friday, October 18
9:30am - Swearing in of new NCAI officers 12pm - Conference closes