NCAI's Tribal Embassy in Washington a Reality
May 7, 2009
WASHINGTON—Indian Country's dream of a permanent embassy for tribal nations in Washington recently became a reality. With the help of generous tribal and individual donations, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) through its Embassy of Tribal Nations Capital Campaign purchased a building last week that will house its offices as well as related tribal organizations to enhance its presence in the nation's capital.
"To have our own home in Washington, DC sends the message that tribal nations are serious about working closely with Members of Congress and federal agencies on issues important to Indian Country," said NCAI President Joe A. Garcia. "We are eager to continue our work on behalf of tribes in our new embassy."
Five years ago, NCAI initiated the Embassy of Tribal Nations Capital Campaign with the hopes of owning a building for tribal leaders to meet and exchange dialogue with federal agencies and other organizations on issues important to Indian Country.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's $1 million challenge donation to the campaign launched an extensive contribution outreach with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation matching the challenge, and the Chickasaw Nation and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donating $100,000 each.
Other tribes that donated to the campaign are the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Redding Rancheria, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Siletz Tribe, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Central Council Tlingit and Haida Tribes, Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Pakenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe, Quileute Nation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Swinomish Tribal Community, Seneca Nation, Pakenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Coquille Indian Tribe, Wiyot Tribe-Table Bluff Reservation, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hualapai Tribal Nation, Mescalero Apache, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation.
NCAI also received over a hundred individual donations.
"NCAI is grateful to all the tribes and individuals who helped make the embassy happen," Garcia said. "We hope the support continues as NCAI secures the acquisition of the building as it will surely be a home for all tribes when they visit Washington, DC."
NCAI will move to its new location at 1514 P Street NW at the end of May. Information on a formal grand opening is forthcoming.
The 10-year campaign is seeking to raise a total of $20 million. To learn more about the Embassy of Tribal Nations Capital Campaign or to make a donation, please visit the NCAI Web site or call 202-466-7767.
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