TITLE: Support for the Pueblos of New Mexico Honoring Celebration of 150 Years of the Lincoln Canes
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, the Pueblos have existed since time in memorial with traditional canes bestowed upon our leaders by our sacred societies which already symbolizes sovereignty and have always been sovereign entities long before the formation of the United States, and
WHEREAS, in the 1500s the entrance of the Europeans into the Southwest territories in and about the 1620s gifts in the form of “CANES” provided by the Spanish Government as a symbol of Pueblo Sovereignty; and
WHEREAS, in 1821 gifts of “CANES” were given to the Pueblos by the Mexican Government further acknowledging and symbolizing Pueblo Sovereignty; and
WHEREAS, in 1864 the President of the United States, President Lincoln gifted the Pueblos with “CANES,” once again acknowledging and symbolizing the sovereignty of the Pueblos and the authority of their tribal governments , and
WHEREAS, President Lincoln’s intent was a perpetual commitment by the Federal Government to honor Pueblo Sovereignty;
WHEREAS, for 150 years the Lincoln CANES have been bestowed upon every subsequent elected or appointed Pueblo Governor as a symbol of leadership, signifying each Pueblo’s government-to-government relationship with the federal government;
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama promised the Pueblo Tribal Leaders of New Mexico that he would return to New Mexico after having won his 2008 Presidential Election.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pueblos of New Mexico are preparing for the 150 years celebration of the Lincoln CANES and request support from the National Congress of American Indians to help promote this effort, and
BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED, that the Pueblos and NCAI partner to establish a closer working relationship to make the celebration a reality for 2014, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that promotion of this era of historic knowledge be provided to educational institutions, Congressional representatives, U.S. government entities, state governments, and other important entities, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a request be forwarded to the President of the United States, President Obama to travel to New Mexico for the momentous occasion and renew the commitment set forth by President Abraham.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.