Attendance (8): Wayne Brewer (AMS); Emily Wright (OCR); Garet Moravec (NASS); Vallie Bray (ARS); Joey McNeil (GIPSA); Ken Kessler, (OCFO); Lori Delgado (ARS); Rick Chavez (CSREES).

The meeting was called to order at 12:05 by the Chair, Wayne Brewer.

We watched a 15-minute video, "Maxidiwiac." This video tells the story of the Hidatsa Indians, who now live on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. One of the last Hidatsas to be born in the Knife River Villages, Buffalo-Bird Woman's story was recorded in the anthropological notes of Gilbert Wilson in the early 1900s. The video was produced by the National Park Service.

Awards were presented to individuals who have made contributions to AIC's efforts throughout the year. Each recipient will receive a letter, signed by the Chair, thanking them for their work to promote the AIC and its goals. Awards went to:
 

• Terry Thir -- Terry is not an AIC member, but she was instrumental in producing the Heritage Month Observance this year. Terry works for the Department's Special Emphasis Program, but she usually works on the disability program. Since Albert Barros resigned, Terry had to step in and organize the program. She did a great job. Thanks, Terry! The officers awarded her a Beanie Baby Buffalo as a token of their gratitude.

 
• Shirley Watts -- Shirley is also not an AIC member, but she was a big help to Dave Bell when he was putting together our webpage. Dave told us he could not have done it without her. Thanks, Shirley, for the many hours you spent working on that project! The officers awarded her a Beanie Baby Buffalo as a token of their gratitude.

 
• Anne Matthys -- Another non-member, Anne nevertheless always come through for the AIC when we need audio-visual equipment. She works for AMS and I guess she just can't say "no" to Wayne! Thanks for your support, Anne! The officers awarded her a cookbook published by the American Indian Society.

 
• Nancy Theodore -- Nancy is not only an active AIC member, she works on Indian issues as part of her everyday duties. She works on the Food & Nutrition Service's American Indian Food Distribution Program. The Program has seen dramatic improvements in the last few years and Nancy has helped make these positive changes! Thank you, Nancy! The officers awarded her a Beanie Baby Buffalo as a token of their gratitude.

 
• Ellen James -- Ellen is not an AIC member, but she is the "keeper of the door." She keeps the reservation book and the key for room 2854-S -- a room we have come to call home. Thanks, Ellen, for all your help and for keeping our room open at noon on Thursdays! The officers awarded her a keychain and a paperweight as a token of their appreciation.

 
• Valerie Bowls -- Thanks to Valerie for arranging to have the Intertribal Agriculture Council outreach workers come to Washington DC to speak at the Heritage Month observance. Valerie works closely with the IAC and other Indian groups to promote her agency's programs (Foreign Ag Service). FAS helps Indians and tribes become export-ready and finds markets for their products. You've done a lot, Val, thanks a bunch! The officers awarded her a Beanie Baby Eagle as a toke of their appreciation.

 
• Garet Moravec -- for stepping up to the plate and accepting appointment as Vice-Chair after Janet Wright moved to Brazil -- officers awarded Garet a Pendleton Rabbit.

 
• Emily Wright -- for being Historian all year long, Garet awarded Emily a lovely southwestern-style Indian clay pot, signed by Dena J. and a certificate of appreciation "in recognition of her outstanding efforts to the continued success of the American Indian Council."

 
• Wayne Brewer -- for being Chair all year long, Wayne was awarded a 2000 pow wow calendar. Wayne also got a beautiful clay pot from Garet, also signed by Dena J. and a certificate of appreciation "in recognition of his outstanding efforts to the continued success of the American Indian Council."

 

Ken Kessler talked about his office's efforts to donate surplus computers to Indian schools. After making some inquiries, he found himself at the White House talking to Mary Smith of the Domestic Policy Council. She explained the administration's goal of donating computers to Tribal Colleges and Universities. After some more research, Ken found out that some federal computers have been donated in the past, but they were sometimes old, or not in good condition, or not Y2K compliant. Ken's goal is to make sure that our donated computers are fully-functional and loaded with software. Miley Gonzalez, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, who is also the Co-Chair of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium Leadership Team, has requested that USDA agency heads participate in this effort and donate computers before the end of this year. Ken hopes we will eventually expand the program to include schools for K-12 students. Congratulations on a great effort, Ken! (There was some speculation that Ken is hoping to get a Beanie Baby Buffalo next year!)

Wayne proposed that the American Indian Council disband, because of low participation and dwindling interest among members. He expressed his disappointment that the Department seems to be neglecting American Indian issues and we are losing Indian employees faster than we're gaining them. There was general agreement with his sentiments, but members present resisted the idea of disbanding. It was agreed that officers will meet next week on Tuesday the 14th at 1pm to discuss this issue further and try to figure out how to breathe new life into our organization. All are welcome to attend this meeting. Location is to be announced.

Elections of officers for the year 2000 were held. Garet Moravec was elected Chair. Rick Chavez was elected Vice-Chair. Emily Wright was re-elected Historian. Emily reminded members that officers are limited to serving two terms, so she will not be able to run for office again next year.

We wanted to discuss the outreach meeting held last month in Oklahoma City, but time expired. We will put that discussion on the agenda for next month's regular meeting.
 

Handouts:

Two Washington Post articles, "U.S. Held Liable for Lost Indian Papers"; and "Suit Alleges Anti-Indian bias at USDA."

Rick provided printouts from several interesting websites. Check out http://www.minorities-jb.com/native.

Vallie provided a copy of In Touch, a Montgomery County community newsletter, that had an article about American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Ken provided a copy of the memo from Under Secretary Miley Gonzalez to Agency Heads requesting Y2K-Compliant Computers for the Presidential Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The next AIC meeting will be on Tuesday, December 14, at 1pm. Location is to be announced. This will be a special meeting, not a regular "monthly" meeting -- but everyone is invited. The January meeting time and place is to be announced.

Wayne adjourned the meeting a little after 1:00 pm.