NCAI Honors Three Leaders for Service to Indian Country

PALM SPRINGS, CA – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation, hosted the 2026 NCAI Honor Awards on Tuesday, October 20. The evening celebrated three distinguished leaders whose decades of service, advocacy, and dedication have strengthened tribal nations and advanced tribal sovereignty across Indian Country. Held during NCAI’s 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace, the ceremony recognized Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation with the 2026 John Echohawk Lifetime Achievement Award and honored Arlinda Locklear of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and Councilman Gilbert Suazo, Sr.