Day 2 at NCAI: Color Guard, Youth Commission and Halloween! =D

The first day of NCAI got us off to a great start! Bright and early, it’s important to arrive on time, and we planned to be there for the National Prayer Breakfast, as we had purchased tickets. However, our morning was going to go in a way I hadn’t at all expected. It went way better.

We entered the hall, waving at a few councilmen. Among the first people I saw were my Aunt, and my Pusha—my grandpa on my Dad's side—Joe Jay Pinkham Jr. She was in a whirl, trying to get his moccasins on and trying to figure out his place in the Color Guard. My Pusha had served in the Korean War, and he was one of the first Native American Staff Gunner Sergeants. He served 50 years on the Yakama Nation General Council, where he spent his life creating and implementing programs for our Native Veterans. But he'd always been Pusha to me, so I was rather eager to see him in a new element. 

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Wade Shockley of the Southern Ute Drum Newsletter

Turns out, he got more attention than I did! Lol, that's saying something as I was wearing a crown, but it was all good. So many people knew who he was, it made me very proud to see just how many lives he'd impacted and how much he made a difference. A lesson for those of you still in high school and younger; learn about what your grandparents, your Elders did for your people. Seeing how our relations all over Indian country kick butt in court and in the White House, and knowing that I was related to this strong person, was really empowering and strengthening. I'm just a kid in college still trying to understand it all! It's such a special and rare gift, my Pusha's 84 now, and my only regret is that I didn't learn it sooner. 

To further my surprise, I was able to escort him in the Color Guard! This was a special honor for me to stand with these strong Native men who have served our country. (Out of all the demographics, Native people have the highest percentage of volunteers in our population.) As I visited with our Yakama Warriors, my friends Tracy Rector and Lou Karsen from Longhouse Media scurried about finding the right angles and requesting interviews. Later I got the chance to assist them in interviewing, and they even interviewed me! It was a very exciting morning, and the day wasn't even over yet. 

Afterwards, my Mom and I scrambled to get to the Youth Commission meeting. Along the way, we ran into Alex Alvarez, aka this year's Miss Shoshone-Bannock! We had met a few days ago at the 42nd Annual National Indian Education Association Convention in Albuquerque NM, so our parting was short-lived.  Together we all headed over. 

The Youth Commission of NCAI is relatively new addition to the Conference; it was established in the 1997 when the Conference was held in Juneau AL, through Resolution #JNU-97-003.

NCAI as a whole is a Conference for Tribal Leaders to make legislation about Tribal issues, such as education, health care, or on other legislation being debated about in the White House, like in the United States' Congress. When NCAI passes legislation, it means that all Tribes associated with NCAI are in favor of a specific issue or topic. It carries a lot of weight to other political leaders in the country. So, having a space at the table and being part of these meetings is very meaningful which is why it’s important that we as Native kids are involved.

Getting youth involved in this Commission is an ongoing process but this year was the highest turnout yet! From what I heard, attendance doubled since the previous year. Admittedly NCAI is during the week, so it’s probably quite difficult to make time to attend the conference. In our workshops, we introduced ourselves (at least 30 kids showed up!), discussed Robert’s Rules of Order (ie “Will all those who are in favor say Aye?”), and the importance of Native Vote campaign.

Throughout our time, I caught up with Tyson Johnston, a good friend of mine from UW (he was President of the First Nations club) and he’s now serving as Quinault Tribal Councilman, and Co-Vice President of the Youth Commission. Here’s the message: get involved in any way you can! It’ll prepare you for leadership roles in the future!

For myself, I was never involved in ASB, or even UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth-a national native student Congress). At the University of Washington, I’ve been involved with the ASUW (college level ASB) Student Senate, and was the Director of the American Indian Student Commission. So, I didn’t learn much about student government until after high school Both these organizations help prepare Native kids in writing legislation, leadership, and you get to learn a LOT about politics and tribal government. 

Day 1, Introducing the 68th Annual National Congress of American Indians!!!!

I had been waiting all year to go to the National Congress of American Indians. I'd been waiting a long time. Ever since I was in high school and first heard of NCAI, I've wanted to go. Tribal leaders, Councilmen, (Councilwomen), Chairs, and Congressmen attend this conference every year to discuss important issues in Indian Country. There are workshops, on sovereignty, education, and legislation and resolution discussions. People as young as high school aged, (I even saw a few little ones running around), all the way to the elders who are honored at the Elders Luncheon. But in all the times I imagined going, I never thought I'd be going as a representing royalty!! 

It was an incredible week of networking, learning, and sitting in on what appeared to be the “grown-up version” of the Student Senate I’m so used of here at University of Washington. Our trip to Portland Oregon for this year's National Congress of American Indians 68^th Annual Convention began the night before as my mom and I frantically packed for the week-long venture. 


Some important issues I was looking forward to; attending the Youth Commission Meetings, my good friend Tyson Johnston of the Quinault Tribal Council is a Co-Vice President and he's been a great mentor and friend to me since our time together here at the University of Washington. Also, I've been yearning to learn more about the Native CLASS Act, legislation that would improve Indian Education nationwide, something that is important for any kid going to class, whether it's at elementary, or high school. Even in light of the conferences I've attended, I was still a little intimidated and unsure of what to expect.

We arrived late Sunday afternoon, just in time for the Welcome Reception. After checking in at the hotel downtown we headed over to the Oregon Convention Center. The building was dazzling and spacious. A large canoe was out in front in the main hallway, and it was more than appropriate for the diversity of Tribal representatives that would be attending throughout the week. The Reception, like the General Assembly, was held in the dimly lit Portland Ballroom. 

It’s important at Tribal Gatherings that we recognize our people and adhere to traditional protocols. Thus, during the Reception, there was a welcoming program and presentations by Oregon and Washington state tribal leaders, introducing people through powerpoint, films, and speakers, to the history and culture of their individual Tribes and Nations. Throughout the Reception I got the chance to meet and greet a few friends from the National Indian Education Association (our parting from the 42nd NIEA Convention a few days before, was short-lived), Longhouse Media (they would be documenting the whole conference), and a few Tribal Councilmen from Ute Mountain, my own Yakama Nation, and Makah Tribal Council. Even my professor, Charlotte Cote, from University of Washington was there. 

So far, so good. It was even more upscale then I expected and seeing so many Tribal leaders from all across the country, was very satisfying. I'm majoring in American Indian Studies and would say my knowledge is a little decent, but I was thirsting to learn more.


After the evening, my mom and I took the “scenic route” while giving some friends, Mary Kim Titla among them, from San Carlos Apache a ride back home. We drove one way, drove the next, my mom and I finally understood the magnets at the Airport that had read, "Keep Portland Weird!" Though it was a minor setback, we got to know each other and we enjoyed the night lights from the City of Roses. We went to bed brimming with excitement for the next day.


Learn more about the National Congress of American Indians at: http://www.ncai.org/