Outgoing NCAI President Keel and Executive Director Pata
Holding Press Conference to Welcome and Introduce the
70th Annual National Convention of U.S. Tribal Nations
Monday, October 14 – Friday, October 18, 2013
Cox Business Center 100 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103
WASHINGTON, DC – Tulsa and Oklahoma’s tribal nations will serve as hosts of the annual national gathering of tribal governments, federal and state leaders, and Native advocates as the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) hosts its 70th Annual Convention & Marketplace. Set for the week of October 14, 2013 at Tulsa’s Cox Business Center, NCAI anticipates drawing well over 2,000 attendees and participants.
National and state political leaders from across the political spectrum are scheduled to speak at the convention, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, and Oklahoma Congressmen Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin.
NCAI’s outgoing President Jefferson Keel and Executive Director Jacqueline Pata will hold a press conference to open the Annual Convention, welcome speakers, and outline the priorities for the week.
Where:
Cox Business Center
Tulsa, OK
2nd Floor D
When:
Monday, October 14
12:00 pm CST
Speakers:
- NCAI President, Jefferson Keel
Priorities:
- Impact of the shutdown, sequestration, and budget issues on Indian Country.
- The ongoing debate over the use of racist mascots in professional sports.
- Baby Veronica – what occurred, what work is continuing, and how we can prevent another removal of a Native child from her family and culture.
- The challenges facing the incoming NCAI President and the successes during outgoing President Keel’s time in office.
NCAI’s 70th Annual Convention is historic for a number of reasons. The convention will mark the end of the second consecutive term of NCAI President Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. The organization’s by-laws limit the President from serving more than two consecutive terms. By the end of the week, the organization’s membership will have elected a new President of the organization, as well as members of the executive committee – 1st Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve regional Vice-Presidents. Keel served as President of NCAI during a period that many consider as the most successful for national Indian policy gains in the last twenty years. Keel was unanimously re-elected at the organization’s Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon in 2011 by NCAI membership.
NCAI will also be celebrating the organization’s 70th Annual Convention since the organization was founded at the first Convention in 1944 in Denver, Colorado. The original meeting included close to 80 delegates from 50 tribes and associations in 27 states who formed the organization to thwart the emerging threat of termination of tribal nations.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDIA: For media access to the convention, all members of the media must pre-register on-line for the event and be pre-credentialed by NCAI. Click the following link to begin the process – http://bit.ly/1axT4O5
About The National Congress of American Indians:
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org
