Society of American Indian Government Employees

Honoring Our Ancestors Through Government Service
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Nominations for SAIGE Recognition Awards now being accepted

March 13, 2014Loriblog
SAIGE has opened its nomination process for its annual SAIGE Recognition Awards.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize agencies and individuals who, through their personal commitment and professional initiative, have made contributions in recruiting, retaining, and providing career advancement opportunities to American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) employees in the Federal workforce, and who have assisted with the advancement of AI/AN professionals.

AWARD:
Awardees will be recognized and presented the award by SAIGE at the Eleventh Annual SAIGE National Training Program in Albuquerque, NM, June 9-13, 2014.

CATEGORIES:
The following are the categories for the SAIGE Achievement Awards. One award will be awarded for each of the categories:

1. Agency
2. Supervisory
3. Leadership (General Schedule Grades 11-15)
4. General Schedule Grades 10 and below
5. American Indian /Alaskan Native (AI/AN) Committee member

PLEASE CLICK ON THIE LINK BELOW FOR THE NOMINATION PACKAGE FOR ELIGIBILITY & MORE INFORMATION:

2014SAIGE RecogAwardNominFillablePDF

Registration NOW OPEN for National Training Program

March 10, 2014Loriblog
SAIGE’s  registration site at http://www.etouches.com/saige2014 is now accepting registrations for the SAIGE 11th Annual National Training Program, Native Pride & Spirit: Yesterday, Today and Forever, June 9-13, 2014 at the Isleta Pueblo Hotel in Albuquerque, NM.

The revised flyer with registration link can be downloaded by clicking on this link:  SAIGE2014 Flyer 3_10

SAIGE2014 Flyer 3_10sm

Updated Flyer for SAIGE NTP

February 24, 2014Loriblog
Greetings SAIGE Members and Supporters!

Here is the updated flyer for our National Training Program coming up in June. Please note that the registration costs have been held steady at last year’s price. Next year it is likely that the cost will increase. We anticipate that the registration website should be up and running between March 10- March 15. An announcement will be made when it is operational. The Planning Committee, led by Dorothy FireCloud-Prue and Otis Halfmoon, is working hard on your behalf to put together an outstanding training program that will be well worth your attendance. A draft agenda will be posted on the website soon. We look forward to seeing you. Stay tuned for more information coming!

Click on link below to download flyer:
 2014 Flyer 2_24

2014 Flyer 2_24sm

National Training Program: Save the Date – June 9 – 13

January 13, 2014Loriblog

Greetings SAIGE members and supporters!

We are pleased to announce that the 2014 SAIGE Annual National Training Program will take place June 9 – 13, at the Isleta Resort Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additional Details to follow –

(NOTE: TAX EXEMPTION – Proof that a charge will be borne by a tribal, federal, or state government or agency or a 501 (c) (3) organization is required for tax exemption.  This proof must be received by the Hotel ten business days prior to the actual event for approval.  Tax-exempt status with states and with the US Government is not automatically recognized by the Pueblo of Isleta.)

click this link for full size PDF:  2014 Flyer 4_2 opt

SAIGE Save the Date

SAIGE Save the Date

Election Instructions for SAIGE Members

December 10, 2013Loriblog
Greetings SAIGE Membership,

The 2014-2016 SAIGE Elections are now open for voting. You should have received these instructions and your official ballot in Word format through the listserv .

Bios and photos of each candidate can be viewed at www.saige.org under the menu item Board Members/Board Elections. Please take your time to review all the bios prior to voting. Voting will be open from December 10th until December 24th, 2013.  Thank you in advance for participating in the SAIGE election process. The 2013 SAIGE Election Committee

SAIGE Board Election Schedule and Instructions:

There is one Officer and four Board Directors to be elected this year. It is with great appreciation that we list the individuals who have accepted their nomination and are willing to serve if elected. The Officer position will be filled by the person who is listed on this ballot. Director positions will be filled by the nominees who receive the most votes in the Director category until all vacant Director positions are filled. No write-in candidates will be accepted.

All Lifetime and full members in good standing may vote in this election. If you are unsure if your dues are current, contact SAIGE Secretary Lori Windle at lwindle@osmre.gov. Your dues must be paid no later than midnight December 24, 2013, in order for your vote to be counted. The voting deadline is midnight December 24, 2013. Please email your completed ballot on or before that date and time.

To Vote:

In the ballot you have received, put an X by the candidate that you wish to elect, save the file and send it electronically to: elections@saige.org.

NOTE: It is very important to state your Location and your name when you email the ballot; if not, your ballot will not be counted.

The submitted ballots will be checked against the SAIGE membership list. The results will be compiled and reported to the Board. Upon the Board’s approval, the results will be reported to all members via the SAIGE-L listserv along with an announcement posted on our web site. If you have any questions or problems, please contact the Elections Committee Chair at elections@saige.org. Please vote for only one person for each officer position and a maximum of 5 people for the board member at large positions.

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NCAI Congressional Briefing: Derogatory Sports Mascots & SAIGE Position

December 3, 2013Loriblog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT- Melinda Warner
mwarner@ncai.org

PRESS ADVISORY: Ending a Legacy of Derogatory Sports Mascots, Logos, and Symbols – December 5th Briefing

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is hosting a briefing featuring advocates from the Civil Rights community and representatives from tribal nations and organizations to discuss the devastating effects “Indian” sports mascots, logos, and symbols have on Native American youth and communities. Coordinated through the offices of Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chairs, and the office of Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), this briefing will give members of Congress, their staff, and the media access to those who have been leading the effort to end this shameful legacy.

The use of racist and derogatory “Indian” sports mascots, logos, and symbols has perpetuated negative stereotypes of America’s first peoples. Rather than honoring Native peoples, these caricatures and stereotypes contribute to a disregard for the diverse cultural heritages of Native people. Usage of this term carries negative historic connotations reminiscent of the eras of termination of Indian tribes and the assimilation of Native people.

The Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013 (H.R. 1278), was introduced by Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega on March 20, 2013, and has received widespread support and praise from tribal governments, organizations, and individuals. This legislation would amend the Trademark Act of 1946, banning the use of the term ‘Redsk*n’ and canceling the federal registrations of trademarks using that term.

Featured Panelists

  •  Richard Guest, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
  • Ahniwake Rose, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association
  • Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians
  • Suzan Shown Harjo, President, Morning Star Institute
  • David Grosso, Washington, DC City Councilmember (Invited)
  • Rushern Baker, County Executive, Prince George’s County (Invited)
  • Congressional Co-Sponsors, H.R. 1278

When- Thursday, December 5th

Briefing: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Reception: 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Where – Rayburn House Office Building

B-338 & B-339

For more information, read NCAI’s report: Ending the Legacy of Racism in Sports & The Era of Harmful “Indian” Sports Mascots

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About The National Congress of American Indians:

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org

 SAIGE POSITION ON DEROGATORY SPORTS MASCOTS AND TEAM NAMES
click link above to open document

2013 Native American Heritage Month Proclamation & Poster

November 4, 2013Loriblog
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 31, 2013
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013
NA Heritage Poster

2013 Native American Heritage Month Poster

– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From Alaskan mountain peaks to the Argentinian pampas to the rocky shores of Newfoundland, Native Americans were the first to carve out cities, domesticate crops, and establish great civilizations. When the Framers gathered to write the United States Constitution, they drew inspiration from the Iroquois Confederacy, and in the centuries since, American Indians and Alaska Natives from hundreds of tribes have shaped our national life. During Native American Heritage Month, we honor their vibrant cultures and strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the United States and each tribal nation.
(click to Download Poster)
As we observe this month, we must not ignore the painful history Native Americans have endured — a history of violence, marginalization, broken promises, and upended justice. There was a time when native languages and religions were banned as part of a forced assimilation policy that attacked the political, social, and cultural identities of Native Americans in the United States. Through generations of struggle, American Indians and Alaska Natives held fast to their traditions, and eventually the United States Government repudiated its destructive policies and began to turn the page on a troubled past.
My Administration remains committed to self-determination, the right of tribal governments to build and strengthen their own communities. Each year I host the White House Tribal Nations Conference, and our work together has translated into action. We have resolved longstanding legal disputes, prioritized placing land into trust on behalf of tribes, stepped up support for Tribal Colleges and Universities, made tribal health care more accessible, and streamlined leasing regulations to put more power in tribal hands. Earlier this year, an amendment to the Stafford Act gave tribes the option to directly request Federal emergency assistance when natural disasters strike their homelands. In March, I signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which recognizes tribal courts’ power to convict and sentence certain perpetrators of domestic violence, regardless of whether they are Indian or non-Indian. And this June, I moved to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationships by establishing the White House Tribal Council on Native American Affairs. The Council is responsible for promoting and sustaining prosperous and resilient Native American communities.
As we observe Native American Heritage Month, we must build on this work. Let us shape a future worthy of a bright new generation, and together, let us ensure this country’s promise is fully realized for every Native American.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2013 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 29, 2013, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA
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“Talking Leaf” Newsletter July 2013

July 29, 2013Loriblog

Many Thanks to Georgia Madrid of NOAA for producing our Newsletter-

Talking Leaf July 2013
Talking Leaf July 2013

Click this link to open full newsletter:   SAIGE Newsletter July 2013

BIG Resolution supports an end to racially charged sports name

July 1, 2013Loriblog

Thank you to Blacks in Government – our NCEPS partner- for submitting this resolution for ratification at their August National Training in Dallas.

From Matthew Fogg, BIG First Vice-President: Please visit BIG’s web-page or just click on this link:

 Resolution (5) “BIG Stands In Solidarity With Native Americans”. 

This Resolution will have to be ratified via votes by the BIG National Delegates at our www.BIGNET.org National Training Institute (NTI) conference in Dallas TX (August 2013). Hope you and other Tribal representatives will be there to see this major accomplishment.
Please share this BIG Resolution (5) link with all the SAIGE members and Tribes and let them know that Matthew Fogg is pushing BIG and NCEPS behind them 110% against use of the name “Redskins” on government installations.

Job Accommodations Network Resources

June 12, 2013Loriblog

Information from the Job Accommodations Network workshop presented at SAIGE 2013 at the Northern Quest –

As requested, please find a copy of my presentation slides for download at http://askjan.org/landingpage/SAIGE2013/ I have also provided answers to other attendees questions along with resources.

In regard to the question about medical inquiries and documentation of these inquiries, please see our Accommodation and Compliance Series: Medical Inquiry in Response to an Accommodation publication found at:    http://askjan.org/media/medical.htm

The medical inquiry form embedded in this publication can also be found at  http://askjan.org/landingpage/SAIGE2013/     for your convenience.

In addition, please find the Kaiser Permanente Form I mentioned during the session at the following webpage http://askjan.org/topics/forms.htm. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the hyperlink. This form was designed for return to work but can be modified for documenting need for accommodations.

An article from PEW Research about “How many baby boomers are reaching 65 years of age” can be found at    http://www.pewresearch.org/daily-number/baby-boomers-retire/.

JAN: Practical Solutions   Workplace Success     JAN Web site: http://www.AskJAN.org

Louis Orslene, MPIA, MSW, CPDM
JAN Program Co-Director
PO Box 6080,
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Telephone: 304.293.7186 x135 (Voice)
Telephone: 800.526.7234 (Voice)
Telephone: 877-781-9403 (TTY)
FAX: 304.293.5407
Email: orslene@jan.wvu.edu

Contact Us

Email: info[at]saige.org

SAIGE logo, shield and feathers
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