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INDIANS CONFER HERE ON RIGHTS

3-Day Meeting Also Will Consider Protection of National Resources

American Indians-more than 200 strong- were in Phoenix today to plan another round in their long fight to protect their individual rights and tribal resources.
The tribesmen, members and guests of the National Congress of American Indians, are attending the all-Indian organization's 10th annual convention at Hotel Westward Ho.
The conference will run through Wednesday night, with a full schedule of committee and general meetings, forums, guest speakers, and social events.
Theme of the three-day convention, according to President  W. W. Short, Chickasaw from Davis, Okla., is "The Crisis in Indian Affairs."

"INDIANS TODAY face the greatest threats in many years in several bills pending in the nation's congress," Short said.
"If they cannot close their ranks, strengthen their forces, and recognize and work with their friends-it may be too late to protect their remaining precious resources."
Short's view was echoed by Mrs Helen Peterson, an Aglala Sioux from Denver, Colo., NCAI's executive director.
"We have seen progress in recent years," she said, "but there are still too many Indian people who-because of undeveloped lands, lack of capital, inadequate education, and poor health- are kept from contributing fully to their communities.

"OUR SERIOUS problems can be solved, but only if we work together- only if we have the courage and determination to fight for our common goals." 
Delegations from about 40 tribal groups from states as distant as Washington and North Carolina met in the lobby Lounge Room of the hotel this morning for the call to order. 
This afternoon, the tribesmen were to be officially welcomed by Frank G. Murphy, mayor-elect of Phoenix, and Royal Marks, attorney and chairman of the Indian affairs committee of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

THE KEYNOTE address was to be delivered by Clarence Wesley, chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council and member of NCAI's executive council. 
Today's general meeting-on the topic "What Is the Outlook for Indians in the Year Ahead?"-was to start at 3 p.m. with an opening statement by Justice N. B. Johnson of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, a Cherokee from Oklahoma City, Okla. 
Tomorrow delegates are ex- 

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INDIANS

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pected to buckle down to the serious business of drafting a legislative program acceptable to all member tribal groups.

SINCE ITS organization in Denver in 1944, according to Charter Member Martin Cross of Elbowoods, N.D., the National Congress has campaigned for "full recognition of the rights of Indian people and the government's responsibility to tribal groups."
"NCAI took the lead in securing the right to vote for Indians in Arizona and New Mexico, and always has pressed the fight of all tribes throughout the country for the kind of self-government, assured them by their constitutions," Cross, chairman of the council of the Three Affiliated Tribes, said.

[[2 images, 2 in a single column]

Gazette Staff Photo
Mrs. Helen Peterson of Denver, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, holds some of the 200 Allie Reynolds autographed baseballs to be given out to delegates to the organization's convention at Hotel Westward Ho today through Wednesday. The New York Yankees pitcher, a Creek Indian, couldn't attend the convention, but sent the baseballs as souvenirs. 

Gazette Staff Photo
Mrs. Bernice Green, San Carlos Apache tribal secretary, looks over addresses prepared by delegates to the 10th annual convention of the National Congress of American Indians.