2006 Native American Voters Convention March 16, 2006

For complete details visit: www.sagecouncil.org/native.html

The first ever Native American Voters Alliance statewide convention will be held March 16 ? 17, 2006 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. It opens Thursday morning with an engaging keynote address that will highlight the convention?s theme - Building Native Power Through Voting and Action. Over the course of the convention, attendees will develop a deeper understanding of this theme in a series of skills building workshops and plenary discussions featuring local and regional experts.

The 2006 NAVA Voters Convention comes at a crucial time. A look ahead reveals significant municipal, state and federal elections in the next three years. To make an impact, we have to organize our communities now.

NAVA?s primary goals are to amplify the voice of the Native population directly at those elected to represent us, and to provide avenues for cultivating emerging Native leaders into positions of power. To achieve these goals, NAVA organizes within our communities to build a base of engaged and informed voters, one family at a time.

Join us at this important event for New Mexico's Native Community. Registration is fast & easy and scholarships are available. Contact us for information about accommodations and other details.

The 2-day NAVA convention will feature experts in New Mexico electoral politics who will demonstrate methods for building Native power through voting.

Many of New Mexico?s Native leaders will be in attendance to share their insights including Ohkay Owingeh Governor and National Council of American Indians President Joe Garcia, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Governor Peter Pino of Zia Pueblo, State Representative Ray Begay and Laura Harris, Executive Director of Americans for Indian Opportunity.

The $50 ($25 for 1 day)registration fee includes a full lunch on March 16th and breakfast and lunch on March 17th. An evening reception on Thursday, featuring Native leaders from around the state, will be held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and is open to the public.

SAGE Council is sponsoring this historic event along with Zia Pueblo, the National Indian Youth Council and the New Mexico Sec. of State's Native American Election Information Program. SAGE Council is a Native-led advocacy non-profit dedicated to building self-determination and relationships through organizing, education and leadership development.