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2005
Native American Summit
Catch the Spirit: Many Nations, One Movement
February 1-3, 2005
Phoenix, Arizona
On February 1-3, 2005, more than 225 individuals gathered in Phoenix, Arizona for Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) 2005 Native American Summit, appropriately themed, Catch the Spirit: Many Nations, One Movement. The sold out conference consisted of representatives from over 20 different tribes and included Boys & Girls Club Chief Professional Officers, local Board Members, Tribal representatives, Boys & Girls Clubs of America leadership and national partners.
Read below for details on this three day event.
 Day One: The Tex Hall challenge, Dave Anderson and a historic BIA partnership, The Spirit of Leadership, the Yavapai Apache Gourd and Drum Singers and the premier of The Seventh Generation
Day Two: Walk Against Diabetes, The Spirit of the Mind, Billy Mills, Talking Circles, Tall Grass Singers
Day Three: Wrap-up with BGCA and America’s Second Harvest
Pre-Conference
Former Mississippi Attorney General, Mike Moore presented at a pre-conference dinner on Monday night to BGCA's NANAC committee, Club and Tribal leaders and BGCA executives at an opening dinner. He challenged tribal communities to work on behalf of Native American youth. Mike was instrumental in starting Clubs in Mississippi including one for the Mississippi Choctaw.
Day One
Sam McCracken, Chair of the Native American Summit Planning Committee, welcomed everyone and acted as host for the event. After an opening prayer by Silas Johnson of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Tex Hall, President of the National Congress of American Indians, recognized the many Tribes in attendance. Tex’s comments reflected his strong support for Clubs in Indian Country and the importance of Tribal support. He challenged local tribal councils “to vote in the affirmative for Boys & Girls Clubs.” Robbie Callaway, Senior Vice President of BGCA’s Office of Government Relations presented an overview of the Club movement in Indian Country and reaffirmed BGCA’s commitment. Dave Anderson, former Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and founder of “Famous Dave’s” restaurant chain, rallied the crowd with an energetic speech encouraging Native Americans to “go where no one has gone before, do what no one has done before, and to never give up!” Dave’s presentation was followed by a historic signing of a partnership agreement between BIA and BGCA. The session concluded with a remarkable announcement by Jill Rademacher, Vice President of the Case Foundation - a $250,000 contribution to the Native American Sustainability Fund.
A dynamic presentation by DJ Vanas followed as he combined humor with practical advice on The Spirit of Leadership. DJ discussed traditional Native American leadership and how it can be used in today’s world.
 Later that evening, attendees enjoyed the Yavapai Apache Gourd and Drum Singers who sang and danced to traditional music. During the dinner, the 2005 Native American Service to Youth Award was presented to Denise Ballard, Executive Director of the Cherokee Youth Center Boys & Girls Club in Cherokee, North Carolina. The evening concluded with a premier showing of the forthcoming documentary, The Seventh Generation, which features an overview of Boys & Girls in Indian Country.
Day Two
The next day was packed with events, starting with an energizing Walk Against Diabetes. Representatives from Notah Begay III led more than 50 people in this first-ever event at the Summit.
The first session of the day was presented by Dick LaFever of the Crossroads Leadership Institute who discussed strategic issues facing Native American Clubs.
Spirits were high as the luncheon keynote speaker Billy Mills, Native American champion and 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist, focused on overcoming perceptions and following your dreams.
Participants spent the afternoon attending eight Talking Circle discussions that offered them an opportunity to hear and share new ideas.
The day concluded with a performance by the Tall Grass Singers who are members of the Lehi Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and included a drum group, flute player, singers, and traditional dancing.
Day Three
The final morning of the conference was opened with an address by Glenn Permuy, BGCA Senior Vice President of Services to Clubs. The BGCA Office of Government Relations followed with a presentation about State Alliances and other funding opportunities available to Native Clubs. June Tanoue of America’s Second Harvest also spoke about the opportunity for Clubs to partner with local food banks in order to establish Kids Café programs.
To wrap-up the Summit, Ryan Wilson Executive Director of the IWASIL Boys & Girls Club in Seattle, Washington, facilitated an open discussion forum. BGCA’s Robbie Callaway was joined by Mark Piccirilli, President of FirstPic, Inc., and Ron Gurley, Chairman of BGCA’s Native American National Advisory Committee and answered questions from attendees.
The Summit was closed with an Awards Presentation to members of the Planning Committee.
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