Opening ceremony was filled to capacity Tuesday morning
LAS VEGAS - A burst of positive energy emanated through the huge room, as hundreds stood with reverence and acclaim, at the capacity filled opening ceremony for the National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) Tuesday morning in Las Vegas.
The 28th annual National RES commenced to the tune of the hand drum, with the posting of colors by the Native American Female Color Guard, an opening invocation by Benny Tso, Chairman, Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, the presentation of the Congressional Achievement Award to U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson, Congressman (D-MS 2nd District) by U.S. Representative Don Young, Congressman (R-AK).
The theme of the National RES is "Honoring Our Past - Defining Our Future," and the Cahokia Mounds have been incorporated into the event as a symbolic ode to American Indian economic opportunity.
"Look at the Cahokia mounds and remember that global trade is nothing new to our people," Gary Davis, President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, declared to thousands of attendees. "This year remember that we are capable of thinking outside the box, we can do more than domestic trade. We are qualified to compete anywhere on this earth."
Davis said, "We must understand that we can get more done together than we can apart." Davis recognized his children, Quannah Davis, 15, and Sequoyah Davis, 3, as he stated "For so many generations we have been taught by those who have come before us, so it is important to show the next generation what is possible when we come together."
Other presenters included Raina Thiele from the White House Office of Public Engagement who brought a message from President Obama to RES attendees and The National Center for all their efforts in building a better economy. NCAIED Board Chairman Derrick Watchman told attendees, "We are here for you, we are here to see you succeed and to see you build better businesses in Indian Country. The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development means business."
Chairman Benny Tso of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, welcomed attendees to Las Vegas. The morning continued with a keynote speech by Internationally Renowned Creative Communications Strategist Victoria Labalme and the procession to the National RES Las Vegas 2014 Business Tradeshow, Procurement Expo and American Indian Art Market.
As a cheered fourth Regional RES event was announced, RES DC, to be held in Washington D.C. on June 24-26, 2014, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson applauded the efforts for RES DC and stated "You need to bring your message to the people that need to hear it."