 — As the oldest and largest representative organization of Tribal Nations, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) upholds the inherent sovereignty of tribal governments and the rights of their citizens and peoples to preserve and use their languages. NCAI is concerned by the efforts of various federal agencies to implement 

Executive Order (EO) 14224: Designating English as the Official Language of the United States

On Monday, July 14, the Department of Justice released guidance on implementing EO 14224. EO 14224 revoked 

, which required federal agencies to provide meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency. With the rollback of these protections, tribal leaders have expressed concerns that their citizens who primarily speak Native languages are at greater risk of exclusion, harm, and discrimination.

“For generations, the United States’ government policies erased indigenous languages through assimilationist policies. Our recent ancestors were punished for speaking their indigenous languages — the first languages spoken in America. As their descendants, it’s our obligation to rebuild and revitalize what was taken from us. With our languages we teach our children, conduct our ceremonies, interpret the world around us, and govern our Tribal Nations within the family of United States governments,” said Mark Macarro, NCAI President. “We understand the importance of language as our tribal identity, and we won’t be diminished again for freely speaking our own languages. This is an issue of tribal sovereignty — and it’s our birthright.”

During his first administration, President Trump signed into law the 

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act (P.L. 116-101)

, which provided critical resources to support language revitalization efforts throughout the country. EO 14224 raises concerns that the current administration is moving away from this mission, undermining efforts to revitalize Native American languages and turning away from acknowledging and honoring the important contributions that Native American languages have played in America’s history. For example, notable Native Americans acted as early translators between their relatives and English-speaking settlers to ensure peace and provide life-saving resources to the earliest immigrants in this nation’s history.

“An English‑only mandate does not strengthen America; it silences and excludes the first voices that shaped it,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “Native languages played a vital role in American history by recording our treaties, guiding our governments, and protecting the nation’s very freedom. Native languages used by Native warrior codetalkers were instrumental in America’s victory in both World Wars. The complexity and expressiveness of these languages we made into unbreakable codes. Banning our Native languages from federal engagement would betray that legacy, violate the trust responsibility of the United States, and exclude Native peoples from contributing to the future of this nation and their Tribal Nations in ways we cannot begin to foresee.”

Since 1995, NCAI has opposed, through its resolution process, any proposed legislation, orders, or amendments that impose English as the official language of the United States or that hinder or harm the maintenance, preservation, and use of Native languages.

: Opposing HR 123, “English” as the Official Language

: Opposition to “English Only” Legislation

: A Resolution Strongly Opposing An Election Ballot Requiring the State Of Alaska To Use English Only

NCAI calls on the Administration and Congress to exempt tribal governments and Native American languages from English-only mandates and fully consult with Tribal Nations on any federal actions that impact language rights and Tribal sovereignty.

About the National Congress of American Indians:

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies and a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information, visit 

NCAI Protection of Native Languages

 — In response to President Donald Trump’s public threat to block a new stadium deal unless the Washington Commanders reinstate their former name and his demand that the Cleveland Guardians also revert back, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) unequivocally opposes any effort to revive racist mascots that demean Indigenous communities. Since 1950, NCAI’s priorities have included the eradication of harmful, unsanctioned Native “themed” mascots and propaganda.

“Any attempt to distract by invoking our names and purporting to speak for our communities is an affront to Tribal sovereignty and is not taken lightly. For seventy-five years, NCAI has held an unbroken voice: Imagery and fan behaviors that mock, demean, and dehumanize Native people have no place in modern society. NCAI will continue to stand in support of the dignity and humanity of Native peoples,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro.

NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr., responded

 to a mascot-related decision by the Department of Education, noting “our youth deserve to see themselves treated with dignity, not as punchlines or cartoonish relics of the past. The continued defense of these mascots is a refusal to confront racism. Enough is enough.”

 for “eliminating a brand that disrespected, demeaned, and stereotyped all Native people.” In July 2021, 

 for “[taking an] important step forward in healing the harms its former mascot long caused Native people, in particular Native youth.” Our position and that of Indian Country broadly — rooted in unanimously passed resolutions reflecting the perspectives of hundreds of Tribal Nations — has not changed.

Tribal governments have been outspoken and unambiguous on this issue for generations. Contrary to President Trump’s assertion that “[o]ur great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen,” Indian Country has repeatedly come together to condemn the unsanctioned use of harmful Native “themed” mascots, particularly those which sexualize, stereotype, or dehumanize American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Conditioning federal policy or development deals on the revival of racist language contradicts the government’s responsibility to uphold tribal rights and dignity, threatens the integrity of lawful governance, and opens the door to further discriminatory policy demands. We are not your mascot. We are not your distraction.

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies and a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights.

NCAI Condemns President Trump’s Call to Reinstate Harmful Mascot Imagery

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is pleased to announce Meghan Bishop (Sugpiat/Native Village of Afognak) as our new Policy Director. With nearly two decades of experience in law and public policy, Ms. Bishop brings a deep commitment to justice reform, tribal self-governance, and child and family welfare, further strengthening NCAI as a national unifying voice for Tribal Nations.

Ms. Bishop joins NCAI following her tenure as Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she managed a complex portfolio spanning public safety, social services, education, Tiwahe, the PROGRESS Act, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) initiatives. She also served as Acting Associate Director for Tribal Justice Support within the Office of Justice Services, overseeing a $65 million budget and providing technical assistance to tribal justice systems nationwide. In addition, Ms. Bishop represented the Department of the United States Sentencing Commission Tribal Issues Advisory Group and led the Indian Child Welfare Act Interagency Workgroup.

Before entering federal service, Ms. Bishop practiced law in Oregon, where she founded and operated a juvenile defense firm. She represented clients in both tribal and state courts, mentored attorneys statewide, and advocated for systemic reforms in juvenile and child welfare law. Her leadership extends across multiple professional legal organizations, and she has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Bishop holds a Master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University, a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law, and a B.A. in Psychology and Humanities from Ohio Wesleyan University. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar.

“Meghan’s expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to tribal sovereignty make her an outstanding addition to our policy team,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “Her track record of advancing justice and strengthening tribal self-governance will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for Tribal Nations and their underserved communities.”

As Policy Director, Ms. Bishop will lead NCAI’s policy agenda, guiding strategic initiatives and providing critical analysis to ensure Tribal Nations’ priorities are represented at the highest levels of government. Her work will continue to reflect a commitment to justice, the tenets of federal Indian law and policy, and the advancement of Tribal Nations.

Please join us in welcoming Meghan Bishop to the NCAI team!

NCAI Welcomes Meghan Bishop as Policy Director

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) emphatically condemns the hateful, genocidal statement of Ann Coulter on July 6, 2025, through a post on the social platform X, declaring: “We didn’t kill enough Indians.” There is no place in society for this direct incitement of hatred and violence toward American Indian and Alaska Native people.

“These words are not provocative social commentary; they are a violent attack on Native people and Tribal Nations. Celebrating genocide against Tribal Nations crosses every moral line,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “Careless comments like this glorify the darkest chapters of U.S. history and actively endanger Native peoples' lives today. We will not sit silently at attempts to normalize this abhorrent behavior. We demand an immediate retraction and public apology — and we expect leaders of every political persuasion to denounce this abomination without equivocation.”

“Free speech does not confer a license to advocate for or justify mass murder — past or present,” added NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “When a public figure with more than two million followers romanticizes extermination, it fuels harassment, hate crimes, and political violence. Silence from elected officials and media outlets will only normalize this genocidal history. We call on them to speak up now.”

NCAI further demands that X enforce against vitriol like this and send a message that such inciting hate speech will not be tolerated by banning this individual from their platform. Instead of amplifying divisive and inhuman perspectives, let us turn our attention to celebrating the powerful, nation-building contributions of Tribal Nations to the United States.

NCAI encourages all Americans to learn more about the many contributions that Native peoples and Tribal Nations have made and continue to make to this country. Visit a Tribal Nation near you, explore the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., or New York, read from abundant award-winning literature produced by American Indians and Alaska Natives. We encourage all media outlets, elected leaders, educators, and individual Americans to uplift these living stories of service, innovation, and cultural resilience. In centering these and other Native achievements, we reject hatred and misinformation, celebrate our Tribal sovereignty, and honor our shared community and history.

For more than 80 years, NCAI has advanced the inherent sovereign rights of American Indian and Alaska Native Nations and fought for truthful, respectful representation. We will continue to confront negative rhetoric that demeans and threatens our people and build solidarity against hate in all its forms. The next national convening of Tribal Nations, NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace, will be held in Seattle, Washington, in mid-November 2025.

NCAI Condemns Ann Coulter’s “We Didn’t Kill Enough Indians” Violent and Shameful Hate Speech Targeting Tribal Nations 

 The National Congress of American Indians mourns the passing of Robert Tippeconnie, who walked on July 3, 2025. For more than a decade, he served on NCAI’s Executive Committee—first as Southern Plains Alternate Vice President and later as Regional Vice President—bringing the voices of Comanche, Kiowa, Apache, Wichita, and other Southern Plains Nations to the national stage. A lifelong public servant, he also held multiple leadership roles within the Comanche Nation, most recently as Secretary/Treasurer, where he championed transparent governance and sound stewardship of tribal resources.

Secretary/Treasurer Tippeconnie’s advocacy resonated far beyond any single title. He was instrumental in shaping NCAI’s positions on land and water policy, advancing the HEARTH Act and other laws that strengthen tribal self-determination. He pressed federal partners to adopt budgets that honor the trust responsibility and insisted that Native students have equal access to quality education. Colleagues remember him for his calm wisdom, his ability to find consensus, and his unwavering belief that sovereignty and culture must guide every decision.

Indian Country has lost a steady and generous leader, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he helped shape and in the generations of young people he mentored to lead with courage and compassion. NCAI extends its deepest condolences to the Tippeconnie family, the Comanche Nation, and all who were touched by his life of service. May his memory continue to inspire us in the work ahead.

NCAI Honors the Life and Legacy of Robert Tippeconnie (Comanche Nation)

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 2, 2025 — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) supports the Navajo Nation in responding to the fast-moving Oak Ridge Fire, which has forced evacuations in the areas of Hunters Point, Oak Springs, St. Michaels, and Fort Defiance. NCAI urges an immediate government response that assists the Navajo Nation and the residents of the area through the federal trust and treaty responsibility to Tribal Nations and their homelands. We also extend heartfelt gratitude to the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who are risking their lives to safeguard families, livestock, property, and sacred landscapes.

“Protecting life, land, and culture is the bedrock of the trust responsibility,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “We call on the Administration to deploy every resource—ground crews, aviation assets, and disaster funds—at the speed this emergency demands.”

“Indian Country is on the front lines of a changing climate,” added NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. “The Navajo Nation, like so many other Tribal Nations, faces this crisis with courage. Now the federal family must match that courage with action—today and over the long term.”

NCAI encourages residents of the affected areas to monitor Navajo Nation emergency alerts, comply with evacuation orders, and observe all Stage 2 fire restrictions and fireworks bans, as the tribal, federal, and state partners work to combat the flames. NCAI will monitor developments along with the Navajo Nation until every evacuee returns home safely and long-term recovery efforts are secured.

NCAI Calls for Swift Federal Response to the Oak Ridge Fire in Support of Navajo Nation 

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joins Indian Country in profound sorrow at the news that Chairman Arlan D. Melendez (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony) has walked on. A tireless champion of sovereignty and economic self-determination, Chairman Melendez served his Nation and Native peoples for more than three decades. Elected chairman in 1991, Melendez oversaw major expansion of his tribe’s land base and enhanced health and social-service programs.

“Chairman Arlan Melendez devoted his life to servant leadership grounded in humility, courage, and an unwavering commitment to tribal sovereignty,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “His example strengthened not only the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, but Tribal Nations across the United States. We mourn his loss and honor the legacy he leaves for future generations.”

Beyond his own community, he served as NCAI Western Regional Vice President, co-chair of NCAI’s Taxation Sub-Committee, Vice President of the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, and, in 2005, became only the second American Indian appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam era, Chairman Melendez received lifetime-achievement honors from the Native American Finance Officers Association and the Indian Health Service, among others. His commitment to unity and collaboration left an indelible mark on Indian Country.

“We are proud to have stood beside Chairman Melendez in countless policy battles,” added NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “From federal tax equity to health-care parity, Chairman’s steady voice reminded Washington that trust and treaty obligations are non-negotiable. His wisdom will continue to guide NCAI’s work.”

NCAI offers its deepest condolences to the Melendez family, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and all who were inspired by his leadership. May his memory remain a blessing and a call to continued action on behalf of Native peoples everywhere.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of Chairman Arlan D. Melendez, Renowned Leader of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) extends its heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations, and all Minnesotans mourning the tragic shootings that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025.

We mourn the senseless murders of Speaker Emerita and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Representative Hortman was an exceptional public servant and a staunch advocate for Tribal Nations who championed sovereignty, environmental protection, education equity, and stronger government-to-government ties between the State of Minnesota and Tribal Nations. Her principled leadership left an indelible legacy in Indian Country.

NCAI joins all Minnesotans in hoping and praying for the full recovery of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were both wounded in a related attack.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hortman family, the Hoffmans, their loved ones, and the people of Minnesota,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “Speaker Hortman was a true partner to Tribal Nations. Her legacy of respect, collaboration, and advocacy will not be forgotten. In this moment, we must unite to support all those impacted by these devastating acts of senseless and tragic violence.”

According to acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, multiple other Minnesota state lawmakers were targeted by the alleged gunman that morning. NCAI urges federal, state, and local authorities to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into all incidents, ensuring that every fact is brought to light and that those responsible are held fully accountable. We further call on policymakers to strengthen the safeguards that protect public servants and the communities they represent.

NCAI unequivocally condemns violence, especially violence directed at public officials whose duty is to serve the people. Attacks that target leaders undermine our democratic governmental institutions, jeopardize community safety, and erode the trust that is essential to all healthy communities and their government-to-government relationships. NCAI stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, Tribal Nations, and the people of Minnesota in this time of profound loss. We share in the sorrow felt by all Minnesotans. Together, we recommit ourselves to justice, unity, and the preservation of peace across Indian Country and beyond.

NCAI Mourns the Tragic Loss of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Violence Impacting Minnesota Leaders

In this episode of The Sentinel, we honor and celebrate the Two-Spirit community. We uncover the origins of the term ‘Two-Spirit’ and how Native people acknowledge and reclaim this tradition and identity today. We listen to recorded excerpts from the Two-Spirit Panel held at the 2025 NCAI Executive Council Winter Session, where our panelists and guests discussed the community's current challenges and how tribal leaders can advocate for their Two-Spirit relatives.

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