“Strengthening the Circle” was the focus of the Society of American Indian Government Employees 2nd Annual National Training Program

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The Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) held its 2nd annual National Training Conference (NTC) in Washington, DC, August 15-18, 2005, with over 160 attendees. The NTC focuses on implementation of the SAIGE mission – to promote the development, recruitment, retention and advancement of American Indian and Alaska Native employees; to learn about, and assist our respective agencies in the implementation of initiatives and programs which honor the unique Federal-Tribal relationship; and to provide a national forum for issues and topics affecting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) federal employees and federal employees, in general.

Attendees were provided with plenty of learning and networking opportunities to enable them to develop professionally and to deliver quality public service. The training was endorsed by the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Interior sponsored a pre-conference Diversity Forum in conjunction with the NTC.

On Monday evening, the NTC opened with a reception and cultural presentation of traditional dance, storytelling and native flute playing.

SAIGE, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hosted its first Youth Track and eleven AI/AN students were selected to participate in the NTC where they learned about careers in the federal government, were partnered with mentors, and participated in the general session as well as focused presentations targeting youth.

On Tuesday, August 18th, participants heard from national leaders within and outside of government.

  • Tex Hall, President of the National Congress of American Indians and Chairman of the Mandan-Hidatsa Tribes, talked about the national issues and challenges facing Tribal Governments and their citizens and how we, as federal employees, can assist our respective agencies in helping to address these issues.
  • William Ragsdale, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), shared an overview of Federal Indian policy over the years and insights gained in his work with Indian Country both as a Tribal Councilman and as head of the BIA.
  • Annabelle Romero, Director of the Office of Indian Programs for USDA, represented the Secretary and shared some of the initiatives USDA is using to assist Tribes.
  • Ed Parisian, Acting Director for the BIA’s Office of Indian Education, talked about “No Child Left Behind” as it relates to Bureau-funded schools and the unique challenges they face.

The NTC theme of “Strengthening the Circle – Mind, Body, Spirit and Community” was emphasized in the training conference offerings. Class content was specifically designed to provide participants with an in-depth learning experience which emphasized strengthening the employee overall in Mind, Body, Spirit and Community.

Mind – Participants heard from outstanding speakers on what it means to be a Leader. Roger Willie, a nationally recognized Navajo actor and motivational speaker, shared how a moments choice can affect one’s destiny; Daniel Garza, Whitehouse Office of Public Liaison, talked about his inspirational rise from migrant laborer beginnings to his current position of advising the President of the United States on issues critical to Americans across the Country; and R. Allen Pittman, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs, recognized the disproportionate per capita number of American Indians who serve their Country, especially in relationship to their representation within the Department; and he asked for SAIGE’s assistance in increasing representation of AI/AN employees within the V.A.

Throughout the conference, participants increased their knowledge and understanding of Executive Branch programs and priorities. This information ultimately assists employees in not only advancing their careers but in forwarding their respective agency’s mission as they strive to honor their Federal Trust Responsibility.

Body—Designed to emphasize fitness and healthy choices, participants learned about the need to take care of their physical health as it contributes to everything else and is a critical element of the Circle. Presentations covered a myriad of topics including nutrition; taking care of oneself so that participants can, in turn, take care of their people; how athletics can contribute to leadership opportunities and lead to a healthy lifestyle. Participants were challenged to focus on fitness and they were led on a fitness walk to the National Museum of the American Indian, where they were treated to a tour.

Spirit —the youth track included sessions on identifying barriers to growth and leadership and identifying healthy outlets of expression. All participants were treated to cultural presentations, traditional drumming and singing, and other lessons demonstrating culture, i.e. honoring of veterans, consideration of the unique Federal-Tribal relationship, etc.

Community —the NTC provided many outstanding opportunities for networking, mentoring, and building relationships. Presentations also focused on issues of importance to the federal community in which we work as well as national issues of significance to American Indian and Alaska Native people and governments.

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Congratulations 2005 NTC Planning Team on a job well done!

Special thanks to our Planning Team Chairpersons:

Fredericka Joseph, Conference Committee Chair;

Shana Greenberg, SAIGE Treasurer;

Rebecca Tudisco, Conference Registration Chair;

and JoAnn Brant, Youth Track National Chair

Special thanks to our 2005 NTC Sponsors!

Native Threads

G and G Advertising

Environmental Protection Agency

USDA Forest Service

US Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Bureau of Land Management

Office of Surface Mining

NOAA

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Homeland Security

Internal Revenue Service, Dept. of the Treasury

National Science Foundation

Financial Management Service, Dept. of the Treasury

Department of Justice

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SAIGE JOINS THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR EQUITY IN PUBLIC SERVICE (NCEPS); PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES GREATER FORUM FOR ADDRESSING ISSUES AFFECTING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Cheryle Cobell Zwang, National Chair of SAIGE, (pictured second from right) formally announced the Board of Directors decision to join the National Coalition for Equity in Public Service (NCEPS). The NCEPS board also includes the Presidents of Federally Employed Women (FEW), Blacks in Government (BIG), National IMAGE, Inc., and the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC). Representatives of the NCEPS (pictured above) formally signed the agreement at the SAIGE NTC.

SAIGE also hosted an NCEPS panel where partners talked about their respective organizations and discussed some of the issues on which they are focused that affect federal employees. While there was a common thread in that all organizations were working on EEO, diversity, and discrimination issues, topping the list are the most sweeping personnel and pay changes in 50 years which are being implemented in the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Panelists expressed deep concern over the fact that the Department of Defense is simultaneously in the process of closing military bases under the Base Realignment & Closure Commission (BRAC) and changing the rules governing Reduction in Force (RIF). NCEPS will soon release an issue paper and press release on this subject.

Additionally, the National Chair of SAIGE talked about their work with the General Services Administration regarding removal of a mural, which is offensive to American Indian employees and officials of Tribal government, housed in the Ariel Rios Building in Washington, DC. Further information on this issue can be obtained on the SAIGE website at: under News, Murals.

Panel Members included: Cheryle Cobell Zwang, National Chair of SAIGE; Patricia Wolfe, National President of Federally Employed Women; Darlene Young, National President of Blacks in Government; Armando Fernandez, representing National IMAGE, Inc.; and Edna Harvin-Battle, Executive Secretary of NCEPS. Due to a death in the family, Linda Miller, President of Federal Asian Pacific American Council was unable to attend.

**NCEPS will host its 2nd Annual Diversity Conference on November 3, 2005, in Washington, DC. Please watch our website for further information.

SAIGE Announces 3rd Annual National Training Conference!

Remember to mark your calendars and join us in August, 2006, in Anchorage, Alaska for our 3rd Annual National Training Conference (NTC)! Our host hotel has not yet been selected but we will soon be posting that information, as well as an outline of our tentative agenda, on our website.

We will also once again be hosting American Indian and Alaska Native Youth at the Training Conference. Organizations and agencies are encouraged to contact our Youth Track Coordinator so they can support and contribute to SAIGE’s Youth Track at the 2006 NTC. The NTC is an exceptional opportunity to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, invest in your professional development, and promote your respective agency. We invite you to come and join the fun!

For more information on sponsorship, advertising, exhibits, training curriculum, registration, youth track applications or volunteer opportunities, visit our website at or contact us at the Society of American Indian Government Employees, Post Office Box 7715, Washington DC 20044.

SAIGE Supports Embassy of Tribal Nations

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has long envisioned establishing an "Embassy of Tribal Nations" and purchasing a building in our nation’s capitol to house NCAI and related tribal organizations. SAIGE’s National Chairwoman Cheryle Zwang presented NCAI President Tex Hall with a donation to their building fund at the National Training Conference. Congruent with our mission, SAIGE wanted to demonstrate our commitment to NCAI’s vision of Tribal Nations having a strong and visible physical presence in Washington, D.C. The Embassy will provide a place for a national unified voice for Tribal Nations and promote greater public awareness of NCAI and Tribal governments and issues.

SAIGE Contributes to Hurricane Katrina

Aid Efforts for Native People

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A number of Tribes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were affected by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. SAIGE Board members have been getting scattered reports from Native people in the Region and voted to provide $1000.00 to National Relief Charities (NRC) to assist American Indian Tribes and citizens in the affected area. We encourage members to do the same as individuals. The National Congress of American Indians ( is serving as a focal point to assist contributions to area Tribes. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are avenues or you may also provide funds to National Relief Charities (NRC), a tribally-focused organization which is heavily involved in efforts to assist Tribal Nations/individuals affected by the Hurricane. More information on this organization can be obtained at:

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