Morales to visit tribal leaders at NMAI

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Evo Morales, Bolivia’s indigenous president, will meet with North American tribal leaders in a private event at the National Museum of the American Indian on Nov. 19, a meeting Morales requested.

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Morales to visit tribal leaders at NMAI

By Rob Capriccioso

WASHINGTON – Evo Morales, Bolivia’s indigenous president, plans to attend a meeting with North American tribal leaders at the National Museum of the American Indian.

The private event, which was requested by Morales, is scheduled to take place on Nov. 19.

“He wanted us to arrange a luncheon with Indian leaders from the United States and Canada,” a top NMAI official told Indian Country Today.

“It will be a quiet meeting with each other, and he will be making some remarks.”

The event, which is not planned to be open to the public, marks a landmark for NMAI, and signifies the museum’s growing influence on the national and international cultural stage.

Before the meeting, Morales is expected to attend a gathering at the Organization of American States.

Of Aymara descent, Morales is widely viewed as a hero among indigenous populations worldwide. He was first elected in December 2005, and won re-election with 67 percent of the vote after a recall referendum in August. He is Bolivia’s first fully-indigenous head of state in the 470 years since the Spanish Conquest.

One of the top goals during his leadership has been to increase power for his country’s indigenous via land reforms and redistribution of gas wealth.

Morales’ advisors were scheduled to meet with NMAI officials today to finalize details of the visit.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 9:04 PM Joeyaqui wrote ...

When I read...what Ken Fox wrote today, Re: Prez Morales' visit, I could not help but associate HIS surname with the Rupert Murdoch propagandist TVnetwork....FOXNEWS. It takes a real narrow-minded-spin-doctor to continue spewing this type of virulent and vitriolic rhetoric..."head of the coca union"..puhleeze.Were you ever the head of anything? Poor Mr. Fox get over it and realize that the political catchphrase your ancestors came up with in DC years ago,("Manifest Destiny") no longer apply.

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Wednesday, Nov 19 at 4:34 PM Gustavo Gutierrez: Opata Elder wrote ...

Once again President Evo Morales is fulfilling the prophecy of our ancestors the Maya Nation by meeting with our relatives from Turtle Island. When President Morales was in El Salvador he met with Runners from Peace and Dignity Journeys who for the fifth time have fulfilled this Prophecy.From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

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Wednesday, Nov 19 at 12:54 PM sandra beasleyUnenrolled Cherokee African American White wrote ...

this is fantastic! as a member of the Smithsoinan natinal Museum of American Indian I think this is just magnificent. God bless Evo Morales all those who attend this imporant meeting , everyone at the Smithsoinan National Museum of Amercain Indian , and the indgeious people of Bolvia and the world. Boliva is blessed to have such a great President as President Morales.

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Wednesday, Nov 19 at 12:41 PM Ken Fox wrote ...

Morales, who was a head of the coca union before he became president, is in lockstep with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Be careful who you get into bed with folks.

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Tuesday, Nov 18 at 4:05 PM Tsillie from Zuni Pueblo wrote ...

For once we matter, Long Live Evo Morales, a symbol of the Eagle and Condor prophecy of indigenous unity on our continent of Turtle Island. Five Hundred years of oppression has produced such a strong leader that gives us hope for a better tomorrow, today. Jallalla, Bolivia, Elahkwa.

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Monday, Nov 17 at 9:24 PM jay bird wrote ...

This is a stupendous moment in world history, not to mention United states history. The struggles of the indeginous peoples of the world are universal to all men and women and the vigilince of our people seems to only be spreading like hope cast over our dark nights praying for peace power to morales and to the nm founders and much love.

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Monday, Nov 17 at 8:54 PM Alvin Swifthawk wrote ...

I think its totally awesome that Evo Morales is requesting a meeting with us skins up north so I feel we should welcome him add our support to our brothers to the south. Ah ho Mitakeyasi

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Monday, Nov 17 at 4:21 PM William Waukau wrote ...

This meeting of a Presedent of a South American Country is an honor for all Native Americans and World Ideigenous native of all Countries,the problems facing all Natives is of great importance. The President Evo Morales is a great honor.

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