Minnesota: The 17th North-American Tibetan Association (NATA) Conference was held from Sept 1-3, 2018 at Minnesota with the presence of Religion and Culture Kalon Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, CTA as its ‘Chief Guest’ as well as Parliamentarians Mrs. Pema Chagzoetsang and Mr. Tsewang Rigzin from North and South America, Representative Mr. Ngodup Tsering, Secretary Mr. Tsering Tashi and Mr.Tenzin Tsepak from the Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C.

Around 48 Tibetans from 21 different Tibetan associations has attended this conference.

On Sept 1, on its inauguration ceremony, Parliamentarian Mr. Tsewang Rigzin addressed the attendees on the urgent situations inside Tibet; to strive harder to fulfill the common aspiration of Tibet’s cause and aspirations rather than drifting astray from our common cause; to accumulate merit and prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long and healthy life; to respect and heed to the Central Tibetan Administration for its stability; to preserve Tibetan language and culture; to increase the contributors of Green Book annual voluntary contribution; and solicited the members of the association to create more awareness with enthusiasm. He also counselled and partook in the discussion of resolutions over the three days of conference.

In the same evening, Parliamentarian Mr. Tsewang Rigzin attended the celebration of 25th anniversary of Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in concurrence with Thank-You Minnesota celebration as well. In his address to the public over there, he expressed his gratitude to Mr. Thupten Dadak, Mr. Namgyal Wangdue and the former members of the foundation for their unhindered assistances in the resettlement project of 1000 Tibetans in Minnesota. He also reminded them to have a sense of fulfilment and pride over the quality education provided to their children over the past 25 years, which has now resulted in them being doctors, nurses, advocates, managerial post in transportation business etc. He, in particular, thanked Dr. Mueller, physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Mayo Clinic and his wife.

Present also at the occasion were Mr. Mark Dayton, Mayor of Minnesota, Representative Keith Ellison, (MN 5th District), other state legislatures, Kalon for Religion and Culture Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, CTA, Tibetan Parliamentarian Mrs. Pema Chagzoetsang, Representative Mr. Ngodup Tsering, Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C., Secretary Mr. Tsering Tashi,  Mr.Tenzin Tsepak, attendees of the 17th North-American Tibetan Association Conference and around 400 local Tibetan residents of Minnesota.

The day after in the evening of Sept 2, 2018, parliamentarian Mr. Tsewang Rigzin attended the celebration of 58th Anniversary of Tibetan democracy in exile, organized by the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.