N A T I O N A L  C O N G R E S S  O F  A M E R I C A N  I N D I A N S

RESOLUTION #SD-02-040
Title: Native American Indian Recognition Day
 

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 the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, 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 and their way of life, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, a recommendation to change legislation to remove the language to create and establish on the American Calendar a National Native American Indian Holiday; and

WHEREAS, the wording in the body of Resolution #SPO-01-029 to be changed to read as follows: We, NCAI, support legislation to create and establish on the American calendar in Recognition of the Native American Indians, a Native American Indian Day, which we feel would make it much more advantages to pass in a more rapid manner, in the United State Congress; and

WHEREAS, the Northwest Ordinance, signed July 13, 1787, should also be added to the body of Resolution #SPO-01-029, so that in the future schools in the United States can further educate children about the role that Native American Indians have had in American history and culture. (see Exhibit A attached).

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NCAI does hereby support amending Resolution #SPO-01-029 to include the above language of the Northwest Ordinance, signed on July 13, 1787; and NCAI 2002 ANNUAL SESSION RESOLUTION #SD-02-040 PAGE 2

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.

CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2002 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Town and Country Convention Center, in San Diego, California on November 10-15, 2002 with a quorum present.
_______________________________
Tex Hall, President
ATTEST: Juana Majel, Recording Secretary Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2002 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Town and Country Convention Center, in San Diego, California on November 10-15, 2002.