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It was an honor during the past year, also, to represent NCAI at the Triennial Conference of the National Fellowship of Indian Workers at Bacone, and to speak on behalf of the NCAI on the other occasions.

It gives one a great feeling of pride to be a representative of this organization and the good people who are its members. There is immense personal satisfaction in working for it. It is these feeling of pride and satisfaction in working for their own people which has inspired our President, Secretary and other officers in the face of many serious obstacles. It is hoped that circumstances in the coming year will make it possible for a greater effort to be put forth by one and all so that the aims and objectives of the NCAI can be brought closer to the achievement to the ultimate gain of all Indian people and the gain of our country.

The executive secretary then presented John C. Rainer, regional secretary for the state of New Mexico.

JOHN C. RAINER: Bob Bennett did a splendid job just as he is doing at this convention. The territory I cover is not very large but it is a region with 43,000 Indians comprised of nineteen Pueblos, Jicarilla and Mescalero Apaches and the Navajo in the western New Mexico.

The National Congress of American Indians is the organization that is very important in the minds of New Mexico Indians. The work of getting people to come into the NCAI is a slow but sure one. We cannot afford to rush any tribes into the NCAI without letting them know what we are striving for. We would rather plow the ground and break it up. Once they come in, we have the possibility of having them come in and stay for a long time. So the past year's activities have been of a conditioning nature. Nothing has been done to rush any tribe into the organization.

I note that a number have asked, "What is there in it for me?" Well, it is not what we can personally gain from the NCAI but what we can contribute in behalf of our fellowmen.

Down in the Southwest, we have probably the oldest active Indian organization known as the All-Pueblo Council. It has been in existence for many years and it has made itself known to all people in New Mexico. The faith of the Pueblo people in the NCAI is very strong.

On the question of Indians voting, many of us were really privileged for the first time in our lives. We are withholding our vote until we see what we can do that would be of the best benefit to our people. We will try to use our vote wisely.