Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	December 15, 2001 - Issue 51
	Tex Hall Leads National Indian Group
	by Dorreen Yellow Bird Grand Forks Herald

Tex Hall, tribal chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes at New Town, N.D., is changing his views from local to national as he becomes the voice of most tribes in the nation. He was sworn in as president of the National Congress of American Indians on Nov. 29. NCAI is the nation's oldest and largest organization of tribes. Formed in 1944, when tribes faced issues of assimilation and termination, NCAI set out to unify tribes for the protection of their treaty and sovereign rights. The home office of the national organization is in Washington, D.C. Of approximately 575 tribes in the nation, about 200 of the major tribes are members of this group. Information for all The organization is inclusive and provides information to all tribes. Even if a tribe is not a member of the organization, it receives information and assistance, said Deb Dubray, director of governmental affairs. Hall began life with a mind toward education and sports. He went from high school teacher to principal, then became superintendent at Mandaree (N.D.) School. Mandaree School is a preschool through 12th-grade tribal school with a mostly Hidatsa population. Like many tribal chairmen, he began his career on a reservation. In fact, Hall lives on a reservation ranch that his father, grandfather and great grandfather worked for many years. His grandfather told him that during those early years the Indian ranchers would put their cattle on a train and travel to Chicago to sell them. They would bring home a gunny sack of gifts for the family from the big city after the cattle were sold, Hall said. And like many homegrown tribal chairmen, he did the rodeo circuit, too. He roped calves, team roped and bulldogged. He was also a bareback rider. That experience on a ranch and as an educator has helped him in his new career as tribal chairman. The tribe purchased the "Figure Four" ranch, where they run a buffalo enterprise, selling buffalo products statewide. His life as a rancher has also helped him understand national farm issues. During his tenure as tribal chairman, a new bridge that crosses Lake Sakakawea between New Town, the tribal complex and the western part of the state is on the drawing board. Oil refinery Another new project that Hall has in mind for Fort Berthold is an oil refinery near Keene, N.D. Hall said wind energy is also being considered. With many local projects under way, Hall will now concentrate on national issues. In the forefront of these is Secretary of Interior Gale Norton's proposal to separate the administration of "individual Indian monies" from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Hall said the move would not benefit tribes.   www.expedia.com

	Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.
	Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.
	The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the
	Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 of Paul C. Barry.
	All Rights Reserved.