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Sioux Sanatorium Rapid City, South Dakota January 21, 1949 National Congress of American Indians 1426 35th Street N.W. Washington 7 - D. C. Attention: Mrs. Ruth M. Bronson Dear Mrs. Bronson: Since the National Congress Convention is to be held in Rapid City this coming fall it is imperative that we have some information as to just what should be done in the way of making the necessary arrangements for the intertainment [[entertainment]] reservations etc., of the delegates. The Hotels are anxious to know just what we want to do but I thought I should write you first and find out your wishes first. There is a question I wish to raise also. We would very much like to construct a big Indian Village in the Fair Grounds where our Indian dances might be presented authentically for the public. Of course admission would be charged and the dancers paid for their performance. This would also help the Council here in raising funds for our welfare work we do every year in helping our people to adjust themselves from reservation life to a community life. Would this be permissable. [[right margin]] O.K. [[/right margin]] AS this convention will come on Indian Day we would like also to have a big parade. Civic bands in this Black Hills Area are anxious to participate as well as the Crazy Horse Fife and Drum Corps. Also on the evening of the last day which would be Saturday we wish to hold our annual contest for the title of Miss Black Hills. This Indian girl would be selected according to rules followed by Hot Springs for the title of Miss South Dakota and would be followed by a dance for the public. We have a very large number of Indian musicians here in town and more will participate from Pine Ridge so that our orchestra will be Indian also. Of course the public would be charged admission to this contest but delegates would be admitted free. In fact every project presented would be free to delegates. I hope that you will write me soon in regard to the above so that we can appoint our committees to work on these features of the convention at the earliest possible moment. Very sincerely, Eva J. Nichols Eva J. Nichols - President Black Hills Council of American Indians Rapid City, South Dakota cc Wm. Firethunder - Pine Ridge N.B. Johnson - Claremore, Oklahoma