The North American Indian Women's Association (NAIWA) is a non-profit educational and service association, which seeks to promote intertribal communications, betterment of home, family life and community, betterment of health and education, awareness of Indian cultures, and fellowship among North American Indian people.[1] NAIWA was founded in the summer of 1970 and was the first national Native American women's group.[2][3] Marie Cox (Comanche), from Midwest City, Oklahoma, served as founding president at the inaugural meeting, which was held in Fort Collins, Colorado.[4][5] During the 1970s adoption reform was one of its greatest concerns.[6] Cox's presidency was followed by Agnes Dill of the Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico in 1973,[7] who was in turn succeeded by Mary Jane Fate (Koyukon Athabaskan) from Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1975.[8] Only women from federally recognized Indian tribes can be members.[9]
The association named Muriel Hazel Wright the outstanding Indian woman of the 20th century in 1971.[10]
References
- ^ Naiwa
- ^ Welch, Judy (June 16, 1977). "Oklahoma Woman Named Top Indian". The Arkansas City Traveler. Arkansas City, Kansas. Retrieved 30 July 2016 – via Newspaperarchive.com.
- ^ "Conference of Indian Women Set at FSIS Campus Today". The Lawton Constitution. Lawton, Oklahoma. June 16, 1971. p. 13. Retrieved 24 August 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mrs. Fate helps to organize North American Indian unit". Fairbanks Daily News Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. August 27, 1970. p. 3. Retrieved 24 August 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indian Women Convene". The Gallup Independent. Gallup, New Mexico. October 15, 1973. p. 3. Retrieved 24 August 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Passes Gavel to New President". The Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. June 22, 1975. p. 24. Retrieved 24 August 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Britannica
- ^ Muriel Hazel Wright, Joey Horsley, FemBio.org, retrieved 8 February 2015