The National Congress of American Indians has hired Heather Dawn Thompson, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, as its governmental affairs director.

Thompson, a former lawyer/lobbyist at Patton Boggs and former Senate aide, said she hopes to educate members of Congress on basic sovereignty, health care, education and other issues. "The tribes really need a strong voice to represent them on the Hill," she told Judy Sarasohn of The Washington Post.

Thompson most recently worked for Appleseed, a public policy and civil rights group. She also worked for former Sen. Thomas A. Daschle (D-South Dakota) and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and was a volunteer for the 2000 presidential bid of Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

Get the Story:
Special Interest: American Indian Group Hires New Advocate [see middle of page] (The Washington Post 2/16)
pwpwd

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

Related Stories:
NCAI's Garcia addresses New Mexico Legislature (2/9)
Q&A with Joe Garcia: Abramoff, stereotypes and more (2/6)
Garcia outlines agenda in State of Indian Nations (2/3)
Garcia to appear on C-SPAN 'Washington Journal' (2/3)
Jodi Rave: Garcia calls for settlement of Cobell (2/3)
Garcia to deliver State of Indian Nations address (2/2)
Garcia prepares for big debut as NCAI president (1/26)
NCAI Embassy gets $50K boost from Famous Dave (01/09)
Jodi Rave: Joe Garcia's down-to-earth leadership (01/04)
Joe Garcia to deliver State of Indian Nations address (01/04)
Q&A with Joe Garcia, the new president of NCAI (11/28)
Joe Garcia, Pueblo leader, ready to take on NCAI (11/15)
Live from NCAI annual convention in Tulsa (11/03)
Pueblo leader completes National Statuary Hall (09/23)
Leader of New Mexico tribe seeks to change name (09/19)