Copyright © 2009 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

"Cara Cowan Watts" TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member Cara Cowan Watts of Claremore has been elected as Eastern Oklahoma Area Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians. Cowan Watts represents Rogers County on the Tribal Council and also serves as the Deputy Speaker for the Council. As one of twelve NCAI Area Vice Presidents, she will be responsible for coordination of National Congress of American Indians activities in eastern Oklahoma. Additionally, she will act as a liaison between the tribal and individual NCAI members in this area and the officers and other members of the NCAI Executive council. Cowan Watts replaces Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr., who has served as the Eastern Oklahoma Area Vice President for NCAI since 2005. Founded in 1944 in response to termination and assimilation policies that the United States forced upon the tribal governments in contradiction of their treaty rights and status as sovereigns, the NCAI mission is to work in unity with Indian tribes for the protection of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights and to promote the welfare of Indian people. NCAI represents 250 member tribes from throughout the United States and serves as the major national tribal government organization, monitoring federal policy and coordinating efforts to inform federal decisions that affect tribal government interests. Visit the National Congress of American Indians online.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org