Help support the Native veterans memorial statue in Washington

July 26, 2007

Dear Editor:

Ya'at'ééh shí' diné é dóó shí naat'aaníí (Hello to my people and my leaders) My name is Floyd Dawson, my clans are Zuni Edgewater and born for Manygoats. My maternal grandfathers are Deerwater people and my paternal grandfathers are Bitterwater people. I am from Tó' Naha Líí (Tonalea) shí Kéyah; it's about 27 miles northeast of Tó' Nanees' Dizí (Tuba City)

I recently traveled to Washington, D.C. and initiated the memorial bronze statue to be set up at the National Museum of the American Indian. I made my voice heard in the halls of Congress and the White House. I am still working hard, but working hard on this special project [is what] keeps me young and I'll fight for this memorial as long as it takes.

It would be interesting to give more people attention to the opportunity of educating them about this special project. My dreams of setting up a bronze statue in the nation's capital took a giant step forward when former President William J. Clinton signed Public Law 103-384-the "National Native American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act of 1994." My prayers and my wishes were answered.

The National Congress of American Indian (NCAI), in consultation with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), is authorized to hold a competition to select the design of the memorial. Recently, I forwarded all the documents of Public Law 103-384 and all the resolutions and copies of the Native warrior bronze sculpture designed by Karl Kendall of Prescott. Mr. Kendall is bilá'gá'áná (white man), he is a sculptor who is knowledgeable and a qualified artist in enlargements of sculptures for monuments. I am hopeful that the NCAI considers [this] sculptor for the monument.

Federal funds may not be able to pay any expense of the establishment of the memorial. We need your financial support. This is a worthy cause and any funds that we receive go toward the effort of making this dream, vision and plans become a reality.

If you have any questions you may contact me at: P.O. Box 231; Tonalea, AZ; 86044-0321. I thank you for allowing me this opportunity to be heard on these issues and concerns. Ahé héé.

Floyd Dawson

Tonalea

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