we'll hear from jefferson keel, president of the national congress of american indians. there's remarks from alaskan senator lisa murkowski. >> thank you. good morning. [speaking in native tongue] >> my name is jacqueline john and i'm the executive director of the national congress of american indians. the nation's oldest and largest american indian and alaskan native organization representing the interests of tribal governments across the country. it's my pleasure to welcome our distinguished guests here today in washington, d.c., and those of you from the across the country for the 2011 state of twenty-one nations. i would like to acknowledge at this time some of our honored guests in the audience. first of all we have some of our board members. we have irene, we have david, larry, tara, mary ann mills, derek, and marge anderson. we also have joined here today by governor nelson, who is a pueblo and brian patterson who is the president of the united south and eastern tribes. chairman ernie stevens, jr. who traveled all night long to get here and to not miss his -- one

this is just an incredible morning to hear the state of the indian nation from president jefferson keel, congressional response from senator lisa murkowski. we have much to be grateful for this morning and much to be humbled by for having them be our leaders and champions today. in addition as our introductions , late arrival, but very significant arrival to her form here today. senator akaka, who i'm hoping will be announced team -- [applause] that he will be the new chair of the senate community union affairs. thank you, senator akaka for joining us this morning. i appreciate that. but this time when i opened to questions from the press if there are any questions. yes, please state -- wait for the microphone and say who you're with. do not jamie, northwest broadcasting. for president keel, in regards to each branch of government, judicial, legislative and executive, is very simple but necessary list for each one that you would like to have in terms of cooperation? something that indians would like to be looking for in the next coming year? >> well, i think in terms of the u.s. congres