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Monday, November 17, 2003

The 60th annual convention of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday.

Attendees yesterday discussed the Tribal Sovereignty Protection Initiative, which seeks to protect Indian interests in the federal courts. NCAI is working with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) on a brief in the U.S. v. Lara Supreme Court case, which concerns dual tribal and federal prosecution of Indians. Several states are planning to submit an amicus in support of the tribes.

NCAI and NARF are also working on a brief in the Miccosukee Tribe's Supreme Court case. The tribe wants to prevent water managers in Florida from pumping polluted water into the Everglades, the tribe's homeland.

Today, the convention will honor the family of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq. The 150th Wing Squadron from the Air Force will do a fly-over in the morning.

Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, the army general, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) will speak to tribal leaders this morning. Former Vermont governor Howard Dean is scheduled for Wednesday. Other candidates have sent taped remarks.

Get the Story:
Indian leaders discuss tribal sovereignty, 2004 presidential elections (AP 11/17)
Tribes Join To Defend Sovereignty (The Albuquerque Journal 11/17)
Tribes Find Need To Protect Sovereignty (The Albuquerque Journal 11/16)
Indians Expect Record Numbers at Meeting (The Albuquerque Journal 11/16)

Relevant Links:
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org

Related Stories:
NCAI holding 60th annual convention in N.M. (11/14)
Daschle criticizes 'shameful' rider in DOI budget bill (11/04)
Supreme Court to rule on tribal-federal prosecution (10/01)
Bush brief backs Fla. agency over Miccosukee Tribe (09/11)
Bill's tribal jurisdiction provisions contested (07/31)

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