Source: NCAI Release
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, has been elected President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) at the organization’s 66th Annual Convention. Keel has served as NCAI First Vice-President since 2005.
NCAI PRESIDENT: Jefferson Keel, the newly elected president of the National Congress of American Indians is shown at a Senate Indian Affair Committee hearing in Washington, DC in September.
“Thank you to all of the tribal nations and the members of NCAI,” said Keel. “I want to congratulate Cedric Black Eagle, Chairman of the Crow Nation, for his honorable service. In the middle of this election, there was a great sense of unity among all tribal leaders to advance tribal sovereignty and the welfare of all Indian people. Unity is the only way we will make progress, and I pledge to work together to seize the opportunities that are before all of the Tribal Nations.”
Keel is a retired U.S. Army officer with over 20 years of active duty service. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and completed his Master of Science degree at Troy University in Alabama. He has background experience in social services and tribal health programs. Keel is in his third elected term as Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
In addition, Juana Majel-Dixon, Councilwoman for the Pauma Band of Mission Indians was elected First Vice-President; Theresa Two Bulls, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, was elected Recording Secretary; and W. Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe was elected Treasurer.
