FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2006

EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NATIVE CITIZENSHIP PLANNED FOR APRIL

HONOLULU, HI - The UCLA Native Nations Law and Policy Center and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), in partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), announces the Educational Symposium on Defining Citizenship: The Foundation of a Native Nation, to be held April 17-18, 2006, at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel.

This two-day symposium will inform and share valuable information with participants about citizenship and enrollment activities of Native governments from around the country, with a particular emphasis on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill.  Participants will have an opportunity to engage in the review, comparison, discussion and development of various criteria for citizenship with a Native Hawaiian government.  The Symposium will feature leaders and experts in the field of Native Law to share the experience of other Native nations, including best practices and challenges faced:

• Honorable Senator Daniel K. Akaka – U.S. Senate

• Professor DeAnna Rivera – UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center

• Vice President Jade Danner – CNHA Public Policy Center

• Professor Pat Sekaquaptewa, UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center

• Professor Melody MacKenzie – UH Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law

• Attorney Walter Featherly – Patton Boggs

Scholarships covering all or a portion of the registration fee are available by contacting CNHA and are made possible through the support of Symposium Partners which include the I Mua Group, ‘Ahahui Siwila Hawai‘i O Kapolei, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Legal Defense & Education Fund, State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, and the UH Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.   The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is sponsoring the Symposium and is providing scholarships for Kamehameha Alumni Association – Oahu Region members, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs members, UH Center for Hawaiian Studies students, as well as homestead organization members.  Anyone interested in community development programming and how the extension of the federal policy on self-determination can support health, housing, education, culture or economic development is welcome and should attend.

CNHA is a national, member-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community development in Native communities.  Operating a Public Policy Center, CNHA conducts educational workshops on legislative issues of interest to Native communities in the areas of healthcare, education, affordable housing, cultural preservation and economic development.  For more information about CNHA or the Symposium, please contact CNHA Events Division at 808.521.5011, toll-free at 800.709.2642, or via e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org.

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Media  Contact:
Lisa C. Oshiro, CNHA Senior Policy Analyst
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
Phone: 808.521.5011 or 800.709.2642
www.hawaiiancouncil.org
www.hawaiianwayfund.org
www.anapacific.org
www.dhhlhoap.org
www.hhtech.net
www.nativealliance.com