NIGA Honors Joe Garcia As He Finishes Term As NCAI President

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. - National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., honored Joe Garcia who finished his term as National Congress of American Indians President during the 66th Annual NCAI Convention and Trade Show in Palm Springs on Oct. 11-16. Jefferson Keel, Lieutenant Governor of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma will serve as Garcia’s successor.

Chairman Stevens said, “We want to thank President Garcia for his leadership and dedication to stand as warrior of strength on behalf of Indian country. I know his passion to serve does not end just because he is leaving his post of President. He will continue to be pivotal to continuing the critical agenda for the Indian people.

Serving as NCAI President since 2005, Garcia was a strong voice for Indian Country and worked tirelessly for the protection of Indian sovereignty. Garcia was also Governor of Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo) for two terms and continued to build on his leadership experience with NCAI. Previously, Garcia served two terms as NCAI’s First Vice President.

Stevens continued, “The trust people have in Garcia’s leadership is unquestionable, indicative of his two terms as governor of Ohkay Owingeh. During his tenure as NCAI President, Garcia and Indian Country faced the scourge of meth, battled budget cuts aimed at cutting Indian funding; and welcomed the start of new opportunities with the Obama administration.”

Garcia and NCAI partnered with countless tribes across the country for the protection of Indian sovereignty, including the National Indian Gaming Association. NIGA and NCAI worked in tandem to get legislation beneficial to Indian Country passed on the floors of the Senate and House. Beyond his leadership in the national arena, Garcia’s positive impact on New Mexico was highlighted on Oct. 15, which Gov. Bill Richardson proclaimed “President Joe Garcia Day” for the state.

“During the 109th Congress in 2006, President Garcia’s leadership proved invaluable as Indian Country came together to defend Tribal Sovereignty from attacks on Indian gaming. President Garcia brought NCAI together with NIGA and we held over 8 national meetings to develop a consensus in Indian Country and take our message to Congress.” Stevens told the crowd.

“Unity is what was called for at that critical juncture and President Garcia was there to provide the leadership and direction to protect the interests of Indian Country. We must never forget how taxing the 109th Congress was for Indian Country and how NCAI and NIGA came together and defended Tribal Sovereignty. Indian Country will always remember the dedication and leadership President Garcia showed during those trying times.“

That kind of recognition from state legislators and tribal leaders alike encompass the positive relationships Garcia cultivated from his many years of work throughout Indian Country. Never before has NCAI been primed for success with government-to-government relations with the White House. The Tribal Nations Conference at the White House on Nov. 5 will be Indian Country’s opportunity to meet with President Barack Obama personally to discuss issues affecting Native America.

In his final address to the NCAI membership, Garcia said the fight will continue for Indian Country and welcomed the new president. He thanked the membership for the camaraderie, respect and spiritual support over the years. “We’ll fight, we’ll fight and we’ll fight,” Garcia said. “We’re not going to lose the battle and we’re not going to lose the war.” From the beginning, the focus was for the protection of culture and language for Indian Country.

Garcia is current Chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, which serves the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. His term will be completed in 2011.