American Indians open D.C. embassy of their own

American Indians open D.C. embassy of their own

By Krista J. Kapralos
Herald Writer

Dozens of countries have embassies in Washington, D.C. Beginning next week, that number will increase by about 560, when an embassy representing American Indian tribes opens its doors.

The National Congress of American Indians, a longtime advocate for tribes, is moving this weekend from its rented space to an $8 million mansion near the capital’s Embassy Row, said Adam McMullin, a spokesman for the group. The new building will be called the Hall of Indian Nations.

The embassy signals a new era for tribes, said Ron Allen, NCAI secretary and chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe on the Olympic Peninsula.

“We’re stepping into that ­international arena now,” he said. “We have so many domestic needs and challenges, but the international forum will become a higher priority.”

Tribal leaders in recent years have connected with indigenous groups in other countries to discuss economic development and self-governance. Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and Canada in 2007 signed the United League of Indigenous Nations treaty, pledging to honor one another’s sovereignty and seek out opportunities for trade and commerce across international lines. Indigenous groups in Australia and other areas are involved in the effort.

That type of treaty will likely be more common among indigenous groups worldwide in the future, Allen said. With more than 500 federally recognized tribes, American Indians can share experience and expertise on self-governance, he said.

“We can share our systems and structures with indigenous people of other countries and other areas throughout the world and show them, ‘Here’s what you can do,’ ” Allen said.

The embassy will also draw together experts on all of the issues in Indian Country. Many tribes have become politically powerful, but many others don’t have advocates in D.C., Allen said. The embassy will help ensure that those tribes aren’t forgotten.

Tribes nationwide contributed to a $3 million down payment on the embassy building, Allen said. The Tulalip and Stillaguamish Tribes support the project, but haven’t pledged any money, he said. Allen expects that more tribes will give as NCAI pays down the remaining $5 million on the building.

Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422, kkapralos@heraldnet.com.