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this opportunity to thank you most heartily for the help you have given me, without which I could not have accomplished alone, particularly under the circumstances under which I have had to work during the past three months, during which time I was badly handicapped with other important duties. 

In speaking to the various Indian groups in some of the areas in the Lake States, and since coming to South Dakota, I have found that there is a strong sentiment among the Indians against Indian service employees dominating the service organization and that the Indian Office was sponsoring the movement, etc.. It has very difficult to convince the Indians that the Indian Office did not have anything to do with the Nation-wide setup, but that the Service employees had organized with one thought in mind that was to organize and keep the organization functioning until such a time as a National Conference would be held, at which time the delegates would have some voice in determining whether or not Service employees could hold office and to change the Constitution and By-laws if this was found necessary. A very good start has been made and it will be up to the delegates assembled to approve, amend or reject what has already been accomplished and I wish you God speed in your undertaking. I trust that I may be able to continue to be of service to the Indian people, for I am behind the program 100 percent. 

I desire to pay high tribute to you, McNickle, and all of the other Area Leaders who so generously worked with unstinted devotion in getting this organization to functioning. I know that it was a tremendous task to undertake, but I am sure that you will be rewarded for your efforts. 

Will you kindly convey to the Officers and the delegates assembled my sincere best wishes for the building up of a strong Indian organization representing the Indians of the United States as a whole. Also that I am extremely sorry that it was not possible for me to be present due to reasons mentioned herein. 

Sincerely,
(Sgd.) Mark L. Burns
Pres., National Council of American Indians

MR. HEACOCK (continuing): There was some thought that maybe Mr. Collins could be here to address this group and he has written us expressing his regrets that he could not be here. I don't have his letter at present, but sometime during the session we will read Mr. Collier's letter to you. I now take great pleasure in introducing Mr. Ben Dwight of Oklahoma whom you all know, and I am sure that he will express some of the ideas in making this Convention possible. 

MR. DWIGHT: Chairman, first let us have each of the delegates introduce himself and make what few remarks he has, in accordance with the suggestion you made a moment ago. 

MR. CORNELIUS AARON, working in Stewart, Nevada. A member of the Mohican tribe of Wisconsin. 

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