The National Congress of American Indians Resolution #MIC-06-002

TITLE: To Establish an American Indian Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery in Honor and Recognition of the Contributions of American Indian Veterans to the United States of America  (excerpts from Resolution)

 

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, in reflection of every war our Nation fought; in every major military conflict in our Nation's history, Americans Indians and Alaska Natives have fought side-by-side with non-Indians; American Indians and Alaska Natives have served with honor and distinction in every branch of our Nation's military;

 

WHEREAS, American Indians and Alaska Natives have volunteered to serve in every war in our Nation's history and continue to serve today in Iraq; American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of military service of any ethnic group in the Nation; one in four American Indian and Alaska Native men is a veteran of our Nation's military, as are nearly half of all Tribal leaders; and

 

WHEREAS, despite the extraordinary history of military service and sacrifice for our Nation, there is not now, nor has there ever been a National War Memorial in recognition of American Indian and Alaska Native military veterans;

 

WHEREAS, as an American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Memorial is currently proposed to be constructed on the Field of Honor at the Riverside National Cemetery; and

 

WHEREAS, the National American Indian Veterans, Inc., NCAI's Veteran's Committee, and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations has endorsed and does support the construction of an American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Memorial, to be constructed on the Field of Honor at Riverside National Cemetery.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCAI does hereby support and endorse the construction of a National American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Memorial on the Field of Honor at Riverside National Cemetery.

TASIN

Tribal Alliance

of Sovereign

Indian Nations

RESOLUTION - In support of the Native American Veterans Memorial

at the Riverside National Cemetery (excerpts from Resolution)

 

WHEREAS, Native Americans have a long and proud history of serving in America's Armed Forces, even before being acknowledged as American Citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, from the shores of Iwo Jima to the deserts of Iraq, Native American Veterans have defended America's freedoms with valor and honor; and

 

WHEREAS, as a people, Native Americans have served in the Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other ethnicity;

 

WHEREAS, to honor the sacrifices of Native American veterans, a group of community, tribal, and military officials are proposing to establish the first Native American Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery; and

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations completely supports the establishment of a Native American Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery to honor the service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces, and

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations urges tribal governments throughout America to support the establishment of the first Native American Veterans Memorial in the United States at the Riverside National Cemetery; and

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations urges local, state, tribal, and federal officials to work in concert to establish the Native American Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery.