THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS
RESOLUTION # SFE-97-008
Title: Support for Spiritual Leaders Gathering
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest and largest national organization established in 1944 and comprised of representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and
WHEREAS, the American Indian and Alaska Native tribal leaders have always shown their concern for the spirtitual well-being of their members; and
WHEREAS, an effort has been in process to unite indigenous spiritual leaders of the Americas in a 3rd gathering in New Mexico in 1998 to address the religious and cultural concerns of the first peoples; and
WHEREAS, the 1st and 2nd gatherings were held in Central America and South America, respectively.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI does support the spirit of the 3rd Gathering of Indigenous Elders of America.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 54th Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Sweeney Convention Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico on November 16-21,1997 with a quorum present.
W. Ron Al1en, President
A
TTEST:
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Lela Kaskalla, Recording Secretary
Adopted by the General Assembly during the 54th Annual Session held at the Sweeney Convention Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico on. November 16-21, 1997