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, all 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:

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.

WHEREAS, pending deregulation of the energy industry and decoupling of energy generation, marketing, transmission, and delivery services, have the potential to impact and offer economic development opportunities to Native American Tribes and Peoples; and

WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) and its Economic Development Committee continue to support the ATNI-EDC Energy program; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby support that the ATNI-EDC Tribal Energy program through its Tribal Energy Coordinator, in conjunction with the ATNI Natural Resources Committee, and other interested Tribal governments and entities, be authorized to represent ATNI and its membership as a Northwest RTO Regional Representative in the upcoming Northwest RTO Collaborative Process Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby support that the ATNI-EDC Tribal Energy Coordinator be authorized to obtain and present legal opinions and case law to support appropriate arguments, as needed, that protect, and advocate for, the interests of ATNI’s Tribal members.

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.