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[article provided by Lona. Thanks!]

Plans Inch Forward For Tribal Monument
AP 02/23/2000

SANTA FE (AP) _ Plans to erect a $30 million, multipurpose monument here to
North America's more than 500 Indian tribes are inching forward.

Tom Talache, the operations manager for the Eight Northern Pueblos Council,
says he wants to have the combined monument/embassy/trade center open no
later than 2004.

"We'd like to break ground as soon as possible," he said.

The year 2004 is significant for the tribes. It marks the end of a 10-year
period dedicated to indigenous people around the world. The resolution
setting that period was passed by the United Nations in 1994.

The monument, which Talache has been planning for nearly nine years, would
serve as a tribute to tribute to tribal nations and provide a historical
background of each of North America's Indian tribes.

Talache said the project has support at both the federal and state
government levels, but funding remains an issue. He did not elaborate on
where the funding was coming from, only that he believed it was forthcoming.

The amenities planned for the monument include a trade center that would
help tribes negotiate commerce and business, a sports wing to be named after
athlete Jim Thorpe, a theater, an embassy and a galleria.

The embassy would lend voice to American Indian history and emphasize Indian
contributions. Talache said surveyors are now plotting the land for the
embassy.

The galleria would serve as a commercial site for offices, retail shops,
artists' studios, galleries, restaurants and a space for performing arts.

Talache remains hopeful that the first phase of funding, which will include
planning and development, will come from New Mexico tribal leaders.
 

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