Navajo Nation Washington Office Director Clara Pratte Receives Udall Award

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Clara Pratte, the executive director of the Navajo Nation's Washington office, has been awarded the Terrence L. Bracy Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Udall Foundation.

Clara Pratte - Navajo

This newly created award is presented for excellence in conflict resolution, environmental work, tribal health care, and tribal public policy.

Bracy served as the first chairman of the Udall Foundation, a foundation that was established by Congress in 1992 to honor Morris K. Udall's 30 years of service in the US House of Representatives and was enhanced by Congressional action in 2009 to honor Stewart L. Udall, who served as US Secretary of the Interior in the Kennedy Administration. Morris and Stewart were brothers.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this award. I commend all the other nominees for their contributions to public policy in improving communities throughout the country,”

Pratte said.

Pratte is an alumnus of the Udall Foundation's Native American Congressional Internship Program.

“Clara Pratte has consistently demonstrated her strong commitment to public service and her community, and her leadership of the Washington Office reflects both her personal commitment and the fulfillment of the goal set by the Nation long ago,”

stated Eric Eberhard, chair of the Udall Foundation's Board of Trustees.

“She works tirelessly to better the lives of Native Americans through economic development and tribal sovereignty. The Udall Foundation is proud to have Clara as one of its alumni,”

Eberhard added.

Pratte will speak at the Native American Congressional Intern Reception July 18, in Washington. Through 2012, 198 American Indians or Alaska Natives will have participated in the prestigious internship program. Forty are from the Navajo Nation.

In January 2012, the Navajo Nation Council unanimously confirmed President Ben Shelly's appointment of Clara Pratte to serve as executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office. She was the former National Director of the Office of Native American Affairs of the US Small Business Administration.

posted May 21, 2012 6:00 am edt