Title: Support for Healing Our Spirits Worldwide Conference

 

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, 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 Government of the United States is the official host for the Healing Our Spirits Worldwide Indigenous Health Conference as scheduled for September 2002; and

WHEREAS, the goals of the Conferences are:

(1) to share and exchange approaches and methods for overcoming substance abuse and other health-related addictions to improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and the nation;

(2) to provide a forum for cultural sharing to strengthen traditional spiritual values and healing practices as a means to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities, and the nation; and,

(3) to draft and approve a covenant on the health of indigenous peoples to sustain the resilience and long-term prosperity of individuals, families, communities, and the nation.

WHEREAS, Indian Governments through NCAI have united under the leadership of Conference Co-Chair Mr. Henry Cagey to plan, organize and convene this important international Conference; and,

WHEREAS, a minimum of 300 indigenous nations delegations, 30 observer state governments, 100 non-governmental organizations and other international observers are planned as participants; and

WHEREAS, Conference planning contemplates extensive delegation preparations and briefings in advance of the Conference; and

WHEREAS, interstate cooperation, free communications, and free travel is essential to the successful preparation and conduct of the conference;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby formally request Department of State Secretary Madeleine Albright immediately designate an official liaison to the Healing our Spirits Worldwide Conference 2002 to work directly with Conference Co-Chair Mr. Henry Cagey; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby officially request that the Department of State Office directly relevant to the Conference be asked by written letter from the NCAI President to be available for briefings and consultations during the development of the Conference.

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000 with a quorum present.

_____________________________

Susan Masten, President

Juana Majel, Recording Secretary

Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000.