Post by blackcrowheart on Jan 2, 2006 1:23:42 GMT -5
Plan under way to establish office in Washington for Embassy of
Tribal Nations
By JODI RAVE - Missoulian - 12/30/05
helenair.com/articles/2005/12/30/montana/a10123005_02.txt
If all U.S. tribal nation flags were to fly on Embassy Row in
Washington, D.C., they would easily eclipse the flags of foreign
nations.
The United States recognizes more than 560 indigenous tribes, whereas
170 flags represent foreign nation embassies on and near
Massachusetts Avenue.
Now, plans are under way to remedy the absence of tribal nation flags
in the nation's capital.
The National Congress of American Indians recently resurrected a plan
to search for an Embassy Row building and to establish diplomatic
accreditation with the U.S. State Department. A $12 million capital
campaign is now under way to purchase property for an Embassy of
Tribal Nations.
There's never been formal diplomatic relations — a formal agreement
between two countries, which in turn opens the door for embassy
establishment — between U.S. tribes and the State Department.
"This facility will not only create a presence of our sovereignty
collectively, as well as individually, but it also provides a station
from which they can conduct business," said Ron Allen, NCAI
treasurer. "Most of Indian Country comes into town for a few days,
maybe a week, and most often don't have a place to operate out of. We
hope we might provide work stations."
"Right now, it doesn't exist and never has existed," said Allen, who
is also chairman of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe of Washington. "It
would be a worthy cause to address the tribes' interest in
Washington, D.C."
The State Department could not provide answers Thursday as to whether
tribes or the NCAI would be eligible for diplomatic accreditation.
Meanwhile, leaders within NCAI, the country's oldest and largest
Native advocacy organization, also envision a future embassy as home
to other Washington, D.C.-based national Native organizations, such
as the National Indian Education Association, the National Indian
Health Board or the National Indian Gaming Association.
Overall, embassy status or the simple purchase of a building would
provide a long-term real estate investment for NCAI and promote
greater awareness for tribal governments on a national level. "This
is key," said Jacqueline Johnson, NCAI executive director. "We need
to be doing this."
NCAI, which is located at 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW in Washington,
D.C., hired a real estate agent and has found a building it would
like to buy, said Allen. The organization aims to raise at least $2
million for a down payment within the next 18 months.
So far, about $360,000 has been donated, ranging from a $50,000
donation from former Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of
Colorado to others pledging the cost of a monthly bingo game to be
taken out of their regular paycheck.
"We've got a range of people committed to making this happen, which
is a beautiful thing," said Johnson. "This is not just about tribal
leaders stepping up with millions. It's a home that represents all of
Indian Country."
We want to create vehicles for all of Indian Country to feel like
they helped make it happen."
Tribal Nations
By JODI RAVE - Missoulian - 12/30/05
helenair.com/articles/2005/12/30/montana/a10123005_02.txt
If all U.S. tribal nation flags were to fly on Embassy Row in
Washington, D.C., they would easily eclipse the flags of foreign
nations.
The United States recognizes more than 560 indigenous tribes, whereas
170 flags represent foreign nation embassies on and near
Massachusetts Avenue.
Now, plans are under way to remedy the absence of tribal nation flags
in the nation's capital.
The National Congress of American Indians recently resurrected a plan
to search for an Embassy Row building and to establish diplomatic
accreditation with the U.S. State Department. A $12 million capital
campaign is now under way to purchase property for an Embassy of
Tribal Nations.
There's never been formal diplomatic relations — a formal agreement
between two countries, which in turn opens the door for embassy
establishment — between U.S. tribes and the State Department.
"This facility will not only create a presence of our sovereignty
collectively, as well as individually, but it also provides a station
from which they can conduct business," said Ron Allen, NCAI
treasurer. "Most of Indian Country comes into town for a few days,
maybe a week, and most often don't have a place to operate out of. We
hope we might provide work stations."
"Right now, it doesn't exist and never has existed," said Allen, who
is also chairman of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe of Washington. "It
would be a worthy cause to address the tribes' interest in
Washington, D.C."
The State Department could not provide answers Thursday as to whether
tribes or the NCAI would be eligible for diplomatic accreditation.
Meanwhile, leaders within NCAI, the country's oldest and largest
Native advocacy organization, also envision a future embassy as home
to other Washington, D.C.-based national Native organizations, such
as the National Indian Education Association, the National Indian
Health Board or the National Indian Gaming Association.
Overall, embassy status or the simple purchase of a building would
provide a long-term real estate investment for NCAI and promote
greater awareness for tribal governments on a national level. "This
is key," said Jacqueline Johnson, NCAI executive director. "We need
to be doing this."
NCAI, which is located at 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW in Washington,
D.C., hired a real estate agent and has found a building it would
like to buy, said Allen. The organization aims to raise at least $2
million for a down payment within the next 18 months.
So far, about $360,000 has been donated, ranging from a $50,000
donation from former Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of
Colorado to others pledging the cost of a monthly bingo game to be
taken out of their regular paycheck.
"We've got a range of people committed to making this happen, which
is a beautiful thing," said Johnson. "This is not just about tribal
leaders stepping up with millions. It's a home that represents all of
Indian Country."
We want to create vehicles for all of Indian Country to feel like
they helped make it happen."