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| Photo courtesy Malia Bennett/Oklahoma State Senate -- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry spoke at the National Congress of American Indians' 62nd annual convention in Tulsa, Okla. ''In Oklahoma, we are very proud of our Indian culture,'' Henry said and thanked Oklahoma tribal members for adding to the moral fiber of the state. Henry said it is appropriate that Oklahoma's state capitol is topped by a statue by Enoch Kelly Haney, chairman of the Seminole Nation, called ''The Guardian.'' Haney was helped by his 12-year-old son John as he created the clay model for ''The Guardian'' in 2001. |
TULSA, Okla. - With the songs that run through their blood, American Indian tribes of Oklahoma - a state with 39 federally recognized Indian tribes - opened the 62nd annual convention of the National Congress of American Indians.
Remembering their ancestors and their struggle to survive, leaders of the host tribes extended welcomes, including Chief A.D. Ellis of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Principal Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation and Chief Jim Gray of the Osage Tribe.
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry received a standing ovation from the NCAI as he began his address.
''In Oklahoma, we are very proud of our Indian culture,'' Henry told the convention, stressing that Indian culture is interwoven into the fabric of Oklahoma.
Extending a salutation to Oklahoma tribes, he said, ''I know you are making a tremendous difference in the nation and you are making us very proud of you here in the state of Oklahoma.''
Henry thanked Oklahoma tribal members for adding to the moral fiber of the state. Announcing the construction of the Native American Cultural Center in Tulsa, which will include a museum, he said it will be the largest of its kind in the world.
Henry said it is appropriate that Oklahoma's state capitol has a statue by Enoch Kelly Haney, chairman of the Seminole Nation, called ''The Guardian.''
''I think it is appropriate that the one who stands guard over all of Oklahoma is an Indian.''
Henry praised Gray for his ''stellar leadership'' of the Osage Nation, which began when Gray was 41 years old.
''He has done an incredible job. We are so proud of him here.''
Henry also praised the Native ''Get Out The Vote'' campaign and encouraged the campaign to continue: ''Every single vote counts.''
The governor said the key word in Oklahoma for the relationships between the state and Indian tribes is partnership.
Further, Henry said the state and tribes have developed new laws for halting the scourge of clandestine methamphetamine labs. He said the joint efforts have been so successful that the entire nation is now looking at their strategy as a model.
Speaking to NCAI on opening day, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., called the gathering a ''renaissance of Native Americans.''
''I can't tell you how much it touches my heart.''
Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, said 6 to 8 percent of the population of Oklahoma is Indian. However, 53 percent of state residents say at least one family member is Indian. He said it is an example of how proud people are to be related to Indians in the state.
Urging expansion of the ''Get Out The Vote'' campaign in Indian country, Cole said, ''The first Americans were the last Americans to vote.''
Cole urged American Indians to be involved with both Democrats and Republicans; ''otherwise, you lose your ability to bargain.'' He said if the allegiance of American Indians is to one party only, then the result is that this political party will take the support for granted and the other will ignore American Indians.
Cole said gaming has recapitalized tribes in Oklahoma, leading to diverse enterprises ranging from chocolate to metal industries. And Indian culture attracts tourists to Oklahoma with an unknown amount of revenue for the state.
Further, during a press conference with outgoing NCAI President Tex Hall, Cole urged tribes to consider trade agreements with foreign countries. Cole said he would like to explore this option further.
During the general assembly, NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Johnson also encouraged international trade between Indian nations and other countries.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., thanked NCAI for returning to Oklahoma for the first time in 16 years and spoke of the need to protect tribal sovereignty.
''Not only does Indian country represent our past, but it represents our future,'' Boren told the convention.
Attracting applause from American Indians, Boren said, ''I am committed to making sure tribal sovereignty is protected through the entire legislative process.''
Boren said federal tax incentives in Oklahoma and new funding for roads in Indian country are good examples of the government-to-government relationship.
However, Boren said the United States is failing in its legal and moral responsibility to provide adequate health care to American Indians.
But Boren's message, like that of Henry and Cole, was one of hope and optimism.
Boren said Indian nations are the fourth largest employers in Oklahoma. ''Indian gaming employs as many people in this state as the petroleum industry.''
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