Lt. Gov. Keel elected to Indian National Congress leadership

Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel

Chickasaw Nation Lt. Governor Jefferson Keel was elected first vice-president of the National Congress of American Indians during the group’s recent national convention in Tulsa, Okla.

“I am honored to have been elected to the position of First Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians,” said Lt. Gov. Keel. “As the oldest and largest Indian organization in the country, NCAI unites the voices of tribal nations across the country, and is committed to improving the lives of Indian people.

“I look forward to working with tribal leaders to meet the challenges that we face in protecting tribal sovereignty, enhancing Indian health care, and educating and training our people for the future.”

Lt. Gov. Keel, who had been vice president of the Eastern Oklahoma area, was elected with 15,275 votes to 8,508 votes for runner-up Jonathan Windy Boy.

Joe Garcia, Governor of Ohkay Owingeh, (Pueblo of San Juan, New Mexico), was elected President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) at the organization’s 62nd Annual Convention.

Garcia has served as NCAI first Vice-President since 2003, two terms as San Juan Lt. Governor and two terms as San Juan Governor. A community advocate, Garcia serves as a school board chairman and President of TSAY, a tribally owned business.

“We must protect our culture, our people and our language,” said Garcia. “One person, one tribe cannot do it as it takes a multitude of power, of organizations, a multitude of spirit and the Indian mind to get us to the next level. We cannot turn over decisions to Congress, the President or state legislatures. We have to do it ourselves, we have to do our part as one nation—the Indian nation. I am committed to lead in this great effort.”

“President-elect Garcia will be a great leader for NCAI,” said outgoing NCAI President Tex G. Hall. “He has proven to be a successful Governor for the San Juan Pueblo and I know that will translate into effective, progressive leadership on the national stage that will benefit Indian people for generations. On behalf of NCAI Executive Board and staff, I offer sincere congratulations to Joe Garcia and wish him the best in his new role as leader of this great organization.”

Other NCAI election results: Juana Majel-Dixon, the Pauma Band of Mission Indians of California was re-elected as Recording Secretary; and W. Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe of Washington was re-elected Treasurer.

Founded in 1944, the NCAI (www.ncai.org) advocates on behalf of more than 250 tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.