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Afternoon Session August 29, 1950.

President Johnson read letters from Congressman Jackson, W.W. Short, and Chuck Wills, and a telegram from the Alaska Native Brotherhood.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REGINALD O. CURRY (UTE)

Mr. Chairman, Members of N.C.A.I. and Distinguished Friends: As I look over this fine gathering here today, I am struck with the feeling that tomorrow and in the days to come the future of the American Indian will become brighter and brighter. I am confident that you have come here with a common purpose in mind:to help the cause of our Indian people. You have come here with the knowledge that the National Congress of American Indians has become the voice of the Indian and through this medium you will make your desires, hopes, and problems known to those best in a position to help us.

Yes, we are here as one, firm in our beliefs and determined to raise the standard of living of our Indian people to the same standard that is rightfully theirs as citizens of these United States. As I look at you, it is hard to realize that here we have many tribes represented, from various parts of the United States and Alaska. You are a fine looking group of people.  In fact, you all look just like Utes. And in talking with many of you, I find that, although you have many problems peculiar to your own environment, you have many problems that are the same as mine and those of my tribe.

I wish to make clear to you that what I may say here is not necessarily the feeling of the National Congress of American Indians. If I should say something good, let's say it is from the N.C.A.I., and if I should say something bad, let's say it is my own mistake. I will have no flowery speech for you, but will talk to you as one Indian to another, straightforward and simple.

The National Congress of American Indians has long advised us of the need for a comprehensive Reservation plan. A plan that originates with the Indian, that is subscribed to by him, and in which he will actively participate; a plan hat is molded to fit the particular Reservation for which it is made. A plan that will bring to light not only the general problems of all Indians, and our best solution therefor, but a plan that will stress particular Reservation problems as well. Many of the plans that have been proposed in the years gone by have failed because they were too general in nature. They attempted to make all Indians conform to a single purpose and to a single pattern, and, most of all, were plans that were worked out by "know-it-all" people other than the Indians themselves. We, as Indians, know that all Indians are not potential farmers, nor potential stockmen, but that their likes and adaptabilities are as varied as those of any other people. We know that many Reservations vary differently in their adaptability or capability of supporting a livestock, farming, mining or timber industry. As variable as these factors are, so must be our plan for each individual Reservation.

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