Native American Happenings at the National Conference Native American Clubs had a major presence at the 96th National Conference in Atlanta April 17-20. Highlights included an honorary charter presented to the 100th Club in Indian Country - Boys & Girls Club of Kayenta, AZ (Navajo) Tamara Littlesalt, unit director, and Ray Begaye, COO accept an honorary charter from Roxanne Spillett, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Other highlights included: George Rivera (Pueblo of Pojoaque), an artist and former member of Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe, NM was inducted as the first Native American into the Alumni Hall of Fame alongside World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield, director John Singleton and WNBA All Star Chamique Holdsclaw. An overview entitled, “Boys & Girls Clubs on Native American Lands” was presented during a General Session by Dan Lewis, chairman, B&GCA’s Native American National Advisory Committee to 3,000 Club professionals and volunteers. A symposium reviewing the necessary steps for “Starting and Sustaining Clubs for Native American Communities” was presented. MAC Awards (best overall marketing and communications programs) were presented to Boys & Girls Clubs of Green Country, OK (Cherokee) and Boys & Girls Club of Tahlequah, OK (Cherokee) Native American screenwriter and humorist , Sherman Alexie, spoke at an opening session and explored the issues of racism. Two NANAC members, Dominic Nessi and Randy Finn, received 2002 Native American Service to Youth Awards.