Day 7 Assembly and Adjournment Day 6 Assembly, VIP Reception and Gala 3 Galleries Day 4 Assembly, Youth and Powwow. 5 Galleries Day 3 1st General Assembly and Speaker Photos 4 Galleries Day 2 Panels and Welcome Reception Photos 2 Galleries Day 1 NCAI Volunteers NCAI Convention Press Conference 2 Galleries National Congress of American Indians Convenes in Denver for the 64th Annual Convention and Trade Show. The NCAI the oldest, largest Indian organization in the country convened in Denver Colorado for its 64th Annual Convention and Trade Show. The NCAI was founded in Denver in 1944. NCAI President Joe A. Garcia opened the meeting by honoring Native American Veterans. Native Americans serve in the military in higher numbers than any other ethnic group, said Garcia. We honor them here today for their service to this nation and to Native Nations across the United States. Speaking on behalf of Indian Country, we are humbled by their unending commitment to the freedom of the American people. The convention had a strong focus on law enforcement and public safety issues in Indian Country. Local elected officials, Lt. Governor Barbara Ryan and Congresswoman Diana DeGette addressed the more than 2,000 attendees in the general assembly. DeGette is a co-sponsor of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act IHCIA. She urged swift passage of the bill in the Senate and asked NCAI members to contact their representatives, asking them to co-sponsor the Special Diabetes Program. President George W. Bush addressed the general assembly via video message. The President said his Administration supports tribal sovereignty and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting methamphetamine abuse in Indian Country. Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the general assembly session via satellite and took questions from tribal leaders. The United States hasn't always honored its obligations to Indian Country, Clinton said. In the past seven years, there have been funding cuts and discontinued liaison positions at the White House..... It is time for a new beginning. It's time for our governments to work together. Clinton acknowledged statistics that demonstrate the severe shortage of law enforcement officers and said she also would focus on law enforcement and improve data on crime in Indian Country if elected president. Other video messages included Senator Byron Dorgan and Senator Lisa Murkowski. Office of Governor Bill Ritter       Office of Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien       Office of Ernest House Jr., Commission of Indian Affairs CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MAIN CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY HOME PAGE           RETURN TO THE DIGPICPHOTOS MAIN HOME PAGE