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, 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, in August, 1999, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) prepared a report of its study of the administration of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has made recommendations regarding changes to the administration; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in response to the NAPA report, with very little publicity, with no mention of Indian preference and with no consultation with Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives and Tribal governments, has advertised for three (3) new positions within the Bureau which would substantially change the way the Bureau of Indian Affairs is managed and would change the way it interacts with Indians and Alaska Natives, including a Deputy Assistant Secretary, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Director of Policy Analysis;

WHEREAS, the deadline for submission of applications for these three positions is July 7, 2000; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of all Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives to seek a delay in the deadline for submission of applications for these critical positions with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Interior, and to insist on allowing Indian preference to be applied to the selection of qualified individuals for these important positions;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI hereby requests the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to delay or suspend the deadline for submission of applications for the positions of Deputy Assistant Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Policy Analysis within the Department for a reasonable period of time to allow: 1) consultation with Tribes about the creation of these positions and 2) to allow these positions to be re-advertised stating clearly that Indian preference shall be applied in the selection of individuals to these positions.

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

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Susan Masten, President, NCAI

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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.