FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: April Hale at 202.427.8338 or [email protected]
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Addressed
NAIHC Annual Convention
Federal agency reps, Congressional members rally to reauthorize key housing program
CHICAGO-May 22, 2013-Tribal leaders and housing professionals from across the country convened in Chicago this week for the National American Indian Housing Council's (NAIHC) 39th Annual Convention and Trade Show. Opening the session on May 21 was a riveting keynote address by Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
"It is a great sight to see so many of our tribal housing colleagues coming together for a common goal of providing safe, quality, affordable and culturally relevant housing for tribal members," said NAIHC Chairwoman Cheryl A. Causley. "Today is a special day for NAIHC and for all in attendance. We heard from a true leader of equality and justice for the human race. Having Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. address the NAIHC membership is historic for our organization. His words were truly inspiring."
Jackson told the crowd of nearly 450 of his Cherokee ancestry and vowed to work with Native people. "Today, in the legacy of the Civil Rights struggle, we stand with the National American Indian Housing Council in your quest for comprehensive economic development, and for policies that will improve living and housing conditions," said Rev. Jackson. "We want to be your co-partners. We are family. The treaties made must be honored. Together, it is not just the American Indian Housing Council in this fight, but rather a coalition of conscience. The government that will rebuild Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, must prioritize honoring its 'first' promise, its 'first' obligation. Today we need HUD, HHS, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Justice to function."
Jackson led the audience to repeat his words: "We will survive. We will prevail."
The NAIHC Annual Convention is the preeminent tribal housing event for tribal housing professionals, offering peer-to-peer networking opportunities, best practices in the delivery of housing services and updates from federal agency partners, such as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Flanking Jackson's remarks were representatives of federal agencies and video messages from key members of Congress supporting NAIHC's charge for reauthorization of its marque funding, Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). Initially passed in 1996, and also known as P.L. 104-330 as amended, NAHASDA is the current federal statute that governs HUD's Indian housing programs. NAIHC and tribal leaders are working diligently to ensure passage in the House and Senate of this Act, which represents one-third of federal assistance to Native people on reservations and is treaty-stipulated.
The video messages in particular focused on unity and strong advocacy for a fair reauthorization bill for NAHASDA, now in draft and due for hearings in September of this year. The five Members are Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), Representative Don Young (R-AK), Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI).
Pilar Thomas, Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, presented information on a number of programs available to housing authorities related to energy efficiency and weatherization. She also encouraged more people to take advantage of the department's free 40 hours of technical assistance for energy projects.
Antonio Riley, Midwest Regional Administrator from HUD delivered a special message from the Obama Administration and Secretary Shaun Donovan. "From the Recovery Act funding that helped build or repair nearly 50,000 affordable homes in tribal communities, to President Obama's directive for federal agencies to work more closely with tribal leaders, to our inter-agency work to help Native communities invest and plan for the future. HUD's commitment to Native American communities is strong," Riley said.
Leslie Wheelock, Director of the Office of Tribal Relations at USDA, encouraged members of the audience to take advantage of the funding opportunities available through USDA. "Perhaps the greatest challenge to our people and our communities is limited access to resources - whether it is access to capital, access to clean water or access to affordable housing and jobs," Wheeler said. "As we move forward into a more challenging capital environment, we will need to focus on monetary planning and wisely shift our financial resources to obtain the greatest value for our capital."
Members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, the convention host tribe, also contributed to the morning plenary session activities. American Legion Post 129 presented the colors, Ho-Chunk tribal member Gerald Cleveland provided the invocation and Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer, born in Chicago, shared inspiring words in his welcome remarks.
NAIHC will reconvene in Las Vegas, NV, for its annual Legal Symposium on December 10-13, 2013. Visit the NAIHC website for more information - www.naihc.net.
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