Published on Apr 03, 2020
Greetings NCAI Members and Partners:
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all during this challenging time. I am writing to update you on the status of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid Year Conference & Marketplace, which is scheduled to be held June 7 to 11, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska.
After extensive deliberations by NCAI’s Executive Officers and Regional Vice Presidents, we have decided the most prudent path forward is to postpone the NCAI 2020 Mid Year Conference & Marketplace until 2021 in Alaska. We are disappointed that we are unable to visit with our brothers and sisters in Alaska during this time, but we know that this is the only viable option in light of the current global COVID-19 pandemic. The health and wellbeing of our tribal nations is our utmost concern, and I know you are all working tirelessly to combat this crisis in your communities.
The current official travel and large group gathering directives will continue to guide us as we navigate the current environment. That being said, we deeply value our opportunities to engage with Alaska Native communities and look forward to next year’s Mid Year Conference. We are currently working to confirm dates for the 2021 Mid Year conference in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, please be on the lookout for future smaller NCAI events where we will engage with the Alaska Native community and our tribal nations in the lower 48 states – either virtually or in-person, depending on the latest advice provided by trusted medical and public health professionals.
Our hearts and prayers are with you all, and we will work on behalf of all tribal nations to ensure that Indian Country perseveres, heals, and rebuilds. This pandemic has taken its toll on all of us, but as Native people we are blessed to have our traditions, our cultures, and our legacy of collective strength and resiliency to help us through these times. Please know that NCAI will continue to hold Congress and the Administration accountable for honoring their sacred trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations during this unprecedented global crisis so that you can continue to protect and provide for your tribal communities and citizens.
In closing, we thank you for your understanding regarding this difficult but necessary decision. For those that have already registered for this event or provided sponsorship, NCAI staff will be in touch in the coming days with more information.
We also encourage you to visit the newly expanded NCAI COVID-19 website (https://www.ncai.org/covid-19) for the latest legislative and administrative updates and useful resources concerning COVID-19.
Siokwil,
Fawn Sharp
President
National Congress of American Indians
Download NCAI President Fawn Sharp's Letter
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My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all during this challenging time. I am writing to update you on the status of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid Year Conference & Marketplace, which is scheduled to be held June 7 to 11, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska.
After extensive deliberations by NCAI’s Executive Officers and Regional Vice Presidents, we have decided the most prudent path forward is to postpone the NCAI 2020 Mid Year Conference & Marketplace until 2021 in Alaska. We are disappointed that we are unable to visit with our brothers and sisters in Alaska during this time, but we know that this is the only viable option in light of the current global COVID-19 pandemic. The health and wellbeing of our tribal nations is our utmost concern, and I know you are all working tirelessly to combat this crisis in your communities.
The current official travel and large group gathering directives will continue to guide us as we navigate the current environment. That being said, we deeply value our opportunities to engage with Alaska Native communities and look forward to next year’s Mid Year Conference. We are currently working to confirm dates for the 2021 Mid Year conference in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, please be on the lookout for future smaller NCAI events where we will engage with the Alaska Native community and our tribal nations in the lower 48 states – either virtually or in-person, depending on the latest advice provided by trusted medical and public health professionals.
Our hearts and prayers are with you all, and we will work on behalf of all tribal nations to ensure that Indian Country perseveres, heals, and rebuilds. This pandemic has taken its toll on all of us, but as Native people we are blessed to have our traditions, our cultures, and our legacy of collective strength and resiliency to help us through these times. Please know that NCAI will continue to hold Congress and the Administration accountable for honoring their sacred trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations during this unprecedented global crisis so that you can continue to protect and provide for your tribal communities and citizens.
In closing, we thank you for your understanding regarding this difficult but necessary decision. For those that have already registered for this event or provided sponsorship, NCAI staff will be in touch in the coming days with more information.
We also encourage you to visit the newly expanded NCAI COVID-19 website (https://www.ncai.org/covid-19) for the latest legislative and administrative updates and useful resources concerning COVID-19.
Siokwil,
Fawn Sharp
President
National Congress of American Indians
Download NCAI President Fawn Sharp's Letter