“Native Nations: Uniting for Change”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Alyssa Macy NVisionIT LLC Tel: 414.526.2633 Email: nativenationsunitingforchange@gmail.com “Native Nations: Uniting for Change” Event to Be Held August 27 in Conjunction with Democratic National Convention DENVER, CO – AUGUST 25, 2008 – To honor and celebrate Native Americans‘ historic engagement in the political process this year, a truly unique event, “Native Nations: Uniting for Change“, will be held on Wednesday, August 27th at the Denver Art Museum. The event will be held to honor the Congressional Native American Caucus and the Native American Delegates to the Democratic National Convention (DNC). “This event will celebrate the nomination of Sen. Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential Nominee and bring together tribal leaders, U.S. Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and other friends of Indian country for a day of discussion, education, networking, Native American art, and live performances,” said Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and DNC Platform Committee Member. The DNC in Denver will highlight the increasingly important role of Native Americans in the electing of America’s leaders. The 2008 DNC will include a record number of Native delegates as Native voices are being heard like never before. Native American leaders describe the 2008 Election year as historic and marked by an unprecedented effort by the candidates to pay heed to tribal communities and concerns. The Native vote this year could very well decide the outcome in key battleground states. Joe A. Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians, will serve as moderator for the policy forum from 2 – 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Topic areas to be discussed include the Native American Plank of the Democratic Platform, A New Administration – Honoring the Government to Government Relationship, Indian Country’s Request for the Presidential Transition Plan, and Legislative Priorities Outlooks. Native Nations Reception, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. This innovative reception will include a Native American art exhibition, Native inspired multi-media presentations and food, as well as a live art performance by painter Bunky Echo-Hawk (Pawnee/Yakama). Echo-Hawk will create a painting beginning at 5 p.m. that will be inspired by the historic role that Native Americans are playing in this year’s presidential election. In addition, there will be musical performances by Meighan Meisters, a young First Nations artist. The reception will be held in Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum. Democratic National Convention Viewing Party, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A live feed of the DNC will be provided for all attendees in the Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum. Native Nations After Party, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. The after party will include live music and entertainment in the Ponti Hall in the North Building of the Denver Art Museum. Native Nations: Uniting for Change is sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Gila River Indian Community, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and the Seneca Nation of Indians and is organized by NVisionIt LLC, a Colorado-based, Native-owned firm. For more information and media requests, please contact Alyssa Macy, NVisionIt LLC Director of Communications, at 414.526.2633 or via email at nativenationsunitingforchange@gmail.com.