Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson has announced the appointment of Clydia Nahwooksy as a Special Assistant in his office.
A Cherokee from Oklahoma, one of Nahwooksy's first projects is to serve as Commissioner Thompson's Liaison for the Bureau's Bicentennial program She will coordinate the Bureau's three national Bicentennial projects: an exhibition of contemporary Indian art, a videotape project and a literature and oratory project
''We are fortunate to have Mrs Nahwooksy to spearhead our Bicentennial efforts, “said Commissioner Thompson "She has worked for many years with Indian cultural programs, and her knowledge will be useful in implementing an effective Bicentennial program in cooperation with Indian tribes."
Commissioner Thompson's appointment of Nahwooksy to the position of Special Assistant continues his interest in bringing on staff qualified women for top staff positions currently primarily in the Administrative area, are currently headed by women for top staff positions Currently, six other Central Office programs, primarily in the Administrative area, are currently headed by women.
Nahwooksy was formerly an executive in the Division of Special Projects and Programs of the Office of Indian Education in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare She is perhaps best known throughout Indian country for her work, prior to joining OIE, as developer and Director of the Indian Awareness Program at the Smithsonian Institution. One of her responsibilities during her years at the Smithsonian was to coordinate Indian participation in its annual Festival of American Folklife.
She has also served as a consultant in Indian affairs to various tribes and organizations and has worked as an Administrative Assistant with the Indian Health Service and in the BIA Education Office at the Fort Hall Agency, Idaho.
A graduate of Bacone College, Bacone, Oklahoma, Nahwooksy has also studied at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, and at Idaho State University, Pocatello She is a graduate of the Department of the Interior's Management Training Program
She is a member of the American Folklore Society and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). She is also on the board of Project Forward '76,
