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A Delegation of Leading Tribal Officials from Canada and the U.S are investigating the situation concerning the prolonged incarceration of Native American Indian Leader, Leonard Peltier. The delegation is made up of two groups, The Assembly of First Nations of Canada and the National Congress of American Indians of the United States.

Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Canada, his delegation, and Ernie Stevens of the National Congress of American Indians of the U.S. will be meeting with Leonard Peltier, in prison, to discuss methods to gain his release. The delegation will address the press following the meeting.

The groups are among the largest Native American Indian Organizations in North America, representing the majority of tribes on the continent and they are insisting that President Clinton release Leonard Peltier through a grant of Executive Clemency.

The press conference is to be held across the street from the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Thursday, January 20, 2000 at 2:00 p.m.

Leonard Peltier was convicted of murdering two FBI agents in 1977 in one of the most controversial trials of the century. When faced with previously withheld evidence on appeal casting serious doubt on Mr. Peltier’s guilt, the U.S. prosecutor established on record that he in fact could not prove who actually shot the agents. Amnesty International considers Mr. Peltier to be a political prisoner who should be"immediately and unconditionally released".

Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Ernie Stevens, top official of the National Congress of the American Indians; Jean Day, spokesperson of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and survivor of the 1975 Oglala shoot out aftermath, and Jennifer Harbury, attorney and renowned human rights activist, are all expected to attend the press conference.