Swinomish Tribe Chairman Brian Cladoosby was elected president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) this week. His two-year term begins today.
According to the Skagit Valley Herald:
“I am deeply humbled to have been selected to serve tribes around the nation as president of NCAI,” Cladoosby said in a prepared statement.
He begins his two-year term immediately, and he has previously said he will continue to serve as chairman of the Swinomish Tribe.
Cladoosby has served as the tribe chairman for 17 years and has been a member of the Swinomish Indian Senate for 29 years. He also serves as president of the Association of Washington Tribes and previously served as president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.
The election took place in Tulsa, Okla., during the organization’s convention. The National Congress, founded in 1944, works to bring tribes across the nation together to pass resolutions about national issues that affect tribal sovereignty.
The National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org
