The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role carries significant responsibility for the safety and security of communities across the country, including Tribal Nations.

The nomination of Senator Mullin (Cherokee Nation) to a cabinet-level position reflects the increasing presence of Native voices in national leadership. Representation matters, and the nomination of a Tribal citizen to such a prominent federal position is significant for Indian Country.

During his time in Congress, Senator Mullin has been a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) and engaged with issues affecting Tribal communities. He has supported efforts to strengthen economic development, infrastructure, and opportunity in Indian Country. Tribal leaders have long emphasized the importance of federal officials understanding the government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States, as well as the unique public safety and homeland security challenges that many Tribal communities face.

As the nomination process moves forward, NCAI looks forward to hearing more about Senator Mullin’s priorities for DHS and how he plans to work with Tribal Nations. Robust, timely Tribal consultation and sustained collaboration with Tribal governments will be essential as DHS addresses issues such as border security, emergency management, cybersecurity, and infrastructure protection that affect Tribal lands and citizens.

NCAI remains committed to working with leaders across the federal government and with Congress to ensure that Tribal sovereignty is respected and that the priorities of Tribal Nations are reflected in national policy discussions.

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 Applauds Nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin for U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) mourns the passing of JoAnn K. Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara), a visionary leader and former Executive Director who strengthened NCAI’s national presence and advanced the rights of Tribal Nations across the United States. NCAI extends its deepest condolences to her family, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, and all who were impacted by her leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

JoAnn Chase served as Executive Director of NCAI and the NCAI Fund from 1994 to 2001. During her tenure, she transformed the organization’s capacity and reach, tripling its staff, operating budget, and Tribal membership. Under her leadership, NCAI became a stronger, more visible, and more effective advocate for Tribal sovereignty in the nation’s capital. She worked closely with Tribal Leaders, Congress, the Executive Branch, and national civil rights organizations to advance policies protecting Tribal self-determination and the rights of Tribal Nations.

“The role of Executive Director is both a privilege and an earned trust – one that requires listening, humility, and unwavering commitment to Tribal sovereignty,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. “JoAnn carried that trust with honor. Her leadership expanded NCAI’s capacity and strengthened our voice in Washington, and her legacy continues to guide the work we do for Tribal Nations today.”


Prior to serving as Executive Director, Chase held multiple leadership roles at NCAI, including Director of Governmental Affairs and Policy Analyst. Across these positions, she helped design and implement NCAI’s governmental affairs program, shaped public policy advocacy, and strengthened the organization’s legislative engagement on behalf of Tribal governments.

Throughout her distinguished career, Chase remained committed to building inclusive institutions and strengthening Native leadership. Following her tenure at NCAI, she served as Director of the American Indian Environmental Office in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she provided national leadership on environmental protection and Tribal consultation. She later continued her work in philanthropy, policy, and the arts, championing initiatives that expanded opportunity and representation for Indigenous Peoples and communities of color.


NCAI honors JoAnn Chase’s enduring contributions to Tribal Nations and to the generations of Native leaders who continue the work she helped strengthen. Her legacy lives on in the institutions she helped build and in the continued advancement of Tribal sovereignty across Indian Country.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of JoAnn K. Chase, Former Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, a lifelong champion for civil rights and human dignity whose leadership helped shape national movements for justice, inclusion, and opportunity.

For decades, Reverend Jackson pushed the country to do better by building coalitions, organizing alongside working families, and insisting that those too often excluded from decisions and resources be heard and respected. His steady voice reminded the nation that rights are not abstract, and dignity is not negotiable.

Tribal Nations know the long work of protecting the people — defending sovereignty, strengthening communities, and holding the United States to its promises. Reverend Jackson’s example reflects the power of principled leadership and solidarity across communities, and the responsibility to keep pressing forward when progress is resisted.

“Reverend Jackson devoted his life to advancing dignity and opportunity for those too often excluded from it,” said Larry Wright Jr., Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and to all who drew strength from his message. May his legacy continue to move our nation toward fairness, respect, and equality for all.”

NCAI extends condolences to Reverend Jackson’s family, friends, and all those who carry his work forward.

National Congress of American Indians Mourns the Passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson

The National Congress of American Indians mourns the passing of Jim Gray, former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation, and extends its deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the Osage people.


“Jim Gray devoted his life to strengthening the Osage Nation and advancing Tribal sovereignty through lasting nation-building,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “He led with integrity and a clear commitment to his people, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations. On behalf of NCAI, we extend our deepest condolences to the Osage Nation and to all who loved and learned from him.”


Chief Gray was widely respected for advancing nation-building and strengthening Tribal governance. During his service, he helped guide a significant restoration and modernization of Osage governance — work that centered Osage citizenship, expanded participation, and reinforced the inherent right of Tribal Nations to define their own political futures. He also brought a steady, informed voice to broader Indian Country conversations through his work in Native media and civic engagement.


NCAI honors Chief Gray’s legacy as the kind of leadership Indian Country depends on: grounded in community, focused on strong governance, and committed to sovereignty in practice — not just in principle. His work reflected a belief NCAI shares: that the strength of Indian Country is built through strong Tribal governments, accountable institutions, and informed citizens.


NCAI stands with the Osage Nation in honoring Chief Gray’s life and legacy, and in recognizing his lasting contributions to Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.


NCAI Mourns the Passing of Jim Gray, former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation

 | As tensions rise across the United States, especially in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the number of incidents where Tribal citizens are being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is increasing.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is deeply troubled by these and other incidents and encourages Tribal citizens to ensure they are familiar with their rights both as citizens of their Tribal Nations and as citizens of the United States.

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has compiled 

Resources for Individuals and Nonprofits Approached by ICE

. This document includes information about Tribal citizen rights if approached at home, work, or in public.

NCAI encourages all Tribal citizens to carry at least one form of legal identification (e.g., non-expired Tribal or state ID, passport, or birth certificate). It is particularly important to note that federal law enforcement may not be familiar with Tribal IDs. If an ICE agent does not accept your Tribal ID as identification, NARF recommends that you request to speak to their supervisor. Native Americans who believe their rights have been violated can call NARF at 303-447-8760.

NCAI stands with Tribal Nations and their citizens across the United States impacted by recent ICE actions and enforcement activity. We will remain unified in supporting Tribes with accurate information, rights-based education, and coordinating resources to protect our communities and Native people.

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 

Knowing Your Rights as Citizens of Tribal Nations and the United States

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) mourns the passing of former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne).

“Ben Nighthorse Campbell stood at the intersection of our peoples’ history and future,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “His extraordinary life and accomplishments broke barriers and left a path for all those who seek to follow as leaders in Indian Country and in America.”

“I will miss the counsel and wisdom of my old friend,” President Macarro added.

Senator Campbell, a trailblazing statesman, helped transform federal Indian policy and elevate the voices of Tribal Nations across the United States. As the first Native American to serve in the U.S. Senate in more than six decades — and the only American Indian to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs — Senator Campbell brought the concerns of Tribal Nations to the center of national decision-making.​ Senator Campbell was a tireless champion for Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the well-being of Native communities throughout his time as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator. He advanced key legislation for Indian Country, including the establishment of the National Museum of the American Indian, major water rights settlements for Tribal Nations, and critical investments in Indian health, education, infrastructure, and public safety. His legacy also includes broader national achievements, such as his work on national parks, public lands, and protections for law enforcement officers through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act.​

Beyond elected office, Senator Campbell’s life reflected a profound commitment to service and excellence. A member of the Northern Cheyenne Council of Forty‑Four Chiefs, a three-time U.S. judo champion and Olympic team captain, and a renowned jeweler, he carried his culture, discipline, and creativity into every arena. He earned global respect for building bridges between peoples and nations, as underscored by his awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun.​

NCAI extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Campbell’s family, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and all those whose lives he touched through his leadership, mentorship, and friendship. May his memory be a blessing and a charge to continue the work of strengthening Tribal Nations and upholding the inherent rights and dignity of Native peoples.

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.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of Former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell

— The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) acknowledges the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina (Lumbee Tribe) as the 575th federally recognized Tribe through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed into law this week. This decision highlights the Lumbee Tribe's steadfast dedication and resilience, paving the way for new opportunities and rights for its members.

NCAI recognizes the work of Lumbee leaders and community advocates who worked toward this outcome. NCAI remains committed to supporting a fair and consistent process for all Tribal Nations seeking federal acknowledgment.

NCAI looks forward to continued engagement with the Lumbee Tribe in this new chapter of their government-to-government relationship and will continue to advocate for Tribal sovereignty and the fulfillment of the federal trust responsibility across Indian Country.


NCAI Statement on Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

NCAI Applauds TTAC Process and Affirmation of Tribal Sovereignty

 – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) celebrates the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and Internal Revenue Service’s 

 implementing the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014 and clarifying the federal tax treatment of Tribally-chartered business entities. Announced at the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) public meeting, these regulations resolve decades of uncertainty that have constrained Tribal economic development. The announcement of the final rules marks regulatory progress and provides a model for how Tribal consultation can produce durable, sovereignty-affirming policy.

Established during the first Trump administration, TTAC created a formal mechanism for Tribal governments to directly advise the U.S. Department of the Treasury on tax policy. This advisory process and subsequent consultations honored the government-to-government relationship and enabled Tribal expertise to shape federal tax rules.

In October 2022, the TTAC Subcommittee on General Welfare Exclusion delivered foundational recommendations to the Treasury, establishing principles that guided the development of today's final rules. Treasury then conducted a series of Tribal consultations in the Fall of 2024 and reviewed the feedback received from these Tribal consultations, integrating it into the final regulations.

This sustained, multi-year collaborative process demonstrates that when federal agencies create dedicated advisory structures and genuinely incorporate Tribal input, policy outcomes reflect Tribal realities and respect Tribal sovereignty.

During the TTAC public meeting, TTAC Chair W. Ron Allen noted the significance: "Tribes had sought guidance on general welfare for a decade and asked to confirm the tax status of Tribal businesses for 30 years. The first Trump administration took action by standing up the TTAC, leading to substantial Tribal consultation. And the second Trump administration has gotten this across the finish line, supporting our effort to grow our economies and strengthen our communities on our own terms, without federal paternalism."

Both final rules affirm fundamental principles of Tribal sovereignty:

 This final rule recognizes Tribal governments' inherent authority to determine community needs and design benefit programs accordingly. The federal government's role is limited to providing tax clarity — not prescribing how Tribal Nations exercise their governmental functions.

 After three decades of ambiguity, Treasury confirms that wholly owned Tribally chartered entities are treated as arms of their Tribal governments for federal tax purposes. This clarification enables Tribal Nations to access capital markets on fair terms and invest strategically in economic development that generates governmental revenue.

NCAI President Mark Macarro emphasized the significance of this achievement at a meeting with Tribal Leaders on Friday: "Today's action shows that Tribal Nations and this administration can partner on mutually beneficial deregulation that will expand economic opportunities for Tribal Nations and Tribal citizens. We at NCAI applaud the Treasury for listening and working with Tribal Nations to continue to achieve this historic outcome. We look forward to implementation of this rule and continuing to work with the Treasury to find additional ways to further remove barriers that impede Tribal sovereignty."

These regulations — and the process that led to their development — demonstrate that authentic consultation and recognition of Tribal sovereignty produce solutions that strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship. NCAI encourages this administration to replicate the TTAC model across federal agencies to ensure Tribal voices shape policies affecting Indian Country. NCAI remains committed to advancing consultation structures that respect Tribal expertise and governmental authority.

Access the fact sheets and consultation summaries for these regulations, below:

U.S. Treasury Finalizes Tax Regulations after 30 Years of Tribal Advocacy

 — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joins Tribal Nations across the country in mourning the passing of Spike Bighorn, a respected Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux leader, former Tribal Chairman, and longtime public servant. Bighorn dedicated his life to strengthening Tribal governance and improving federal programs serving Native people, including years of leadership within the Bureaus of Indian Affairs and Indian Education, where he worked to make systems more responsive to Tribal Nations and Native students. He was equally committed to inspiring the next generation, speaking directly to Native high school students through initiatives such as the “I Care If You Graduate!” series to encourage them to pursue education and overcome barriers.

Beyond his work in government, Bighorn was known as a rezball legend and one of the first Native American referees to officiate at Montana state basketball tournaments, opening doors for future generations of Native athletes and officials and inspiring Native youth far beyond the court.

“Spike Bighorn’s life was defined by service to his people,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “From the council chambers at Fort Peck to his work in federal service and his example on the basketball court, he showed what it means to lead with humility, integrity, and love for community. NCAI extends our deepest condolences to his family, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, and all who were touched by his leadership and friendship.”

NCAI honors the life and legacy of Spike Bighorn and commits to carrying forward his vision of strong, self-determined tribal nations, thriving Native students, and resilient Native communities across Indian Country.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of Former Fort Peck Tribal Chairman Spike Bighorn

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) strongly requests the Department of Education (ED) immediately hold meaningful Tribal consultation on its transfer of the administration of programs across Elementary and Secondary Education as well as Postsecondary Education to agencies outside of ED. This decision by ED, done without input from Tribes, weighs heavily on the future of our next generation, as NCAI underscored in our March 2025 statement on proposed transfers of Tribal-serving education programs. 

The Administration has had more than eight months to engage in meaningful, government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations before taking final action. Rather than fulfill its trust and treaty obligations to the Native learners of this country, ED announced the dismantling and transfer of Native education programs on November 18, 2025 — during NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace — at the very moment when Tribal leaders, Native educators, youth, and stakeholders had gathered to discuss these issues and, together, passed two resolutions reaffirming the need to protect Native education programs and honor Tribal consultation. Moving forward with these inter-agency agreements without prior, robust consultation not only disregards the federal trust and treaty responsibility, it sidelines the very governments most impacted by changes to Title VI, Native language, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian education, Tribal college programs, and Impact Aid.

“We gathered in Seattle for NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace to strengthen Tribal sovereignty, protect our children’s futures, and speak with one voice on issues just like this,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “Instead, while Tribal leaders, educators, and students were meeting in good faith and passing resolutions to safeguard Native education, key programs were dismantled and reassigned without the meaningful, government-to-government consultation we have been calling for since March. Our message is simple: Do not make decisions about Native education without Native Nations at the table. We expect the Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor to pause implementation and immediately engage in formal consultation with Tribal leaders to ensure these changes strengthen — not weaken — services to our children and communities.”

Last week, NCAI passed two resolutions related to the ED actions: SEA-25-024, '

Requiring Tribal Consent in All Matters Related to the Education of American Indian and Alaska Native Students and Changes to the Department of Education' 

Protection of Native Serving Programs by Ensuring Robust Staffing Levels for all Indian Education Programs

.' Through these resolutions, NCAI opposes “the dismantlement or winding down of the U.S. Department of Education and the signing of Inter-Agency Transfers without Tribal Consultation and Tribal consent,” demands Tribal consultation happen before any programs are transferred, and demands, if programs are transferred, that ED detail all current staff with the expertise of administering the programs and funding transferred to the recipient agencies.

NCAI calls on the Department of Education, the Interior, and Labor to immediately conduct formal Tribal leader-driven consultation on all aspects of these transfers — including Interior’s capacity to absorb additional responsibilities — before further implementation proceeds. NCAI further calls on Congress to immediately schedule oversight hearings on the ED action, focusing on the lack of Tribal involvement in the decision-making process and the impact of any proposed transfer of funding and programs on Native learners.

Together with Tribal Nations, Native educators, families, and students, NCAI stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to design solutions that truly honor Tribal sovereignty and strengthen — not undermine — Native education. Our children deserve more than unilateral decisions made without their Nations at the table; they deserve stable, well-resourced programs that reflect their languages, cultures, and inherent rights. NCAI will continue to press for full transparency, robust consultation, and concrete action to ensure that every change in federal education policy moves us closer to educational equity, Native self-determination, and brighter futures for the next seven generations.

About the National Congress of American Indians:

NCAI Calls for Immediate Meaningful Tribal Consultation Prior to Transfer of Native Education Programs

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) welcomes the bipartisan agreement passed by Congress to reopen the federal government and restore stability to critical services relied upon by Tribal Nations and families across the country. We acknowledge lawmakers from both parties worked through significant differences to reach this outcome and keep key programs operating through the end of the year. We look forward to President Trump signing this into law and for funding to start flowing to Tribal Nations soon.

This agreement, coupled with the continuing availability of advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS), helps ensure Native patients and providers experience fewer disruptions in care. During the shutdown, IHS operations remained largely open because of advance appropriations — an important legislative victory Indian Country fought for — and today’s action helps maintain that stability as other agencies resume operation.

But stability also depends on Congress extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. If allowed to lapse, average premium payments for subsidized Marketplace enrollees, which includes Tribal Citizens and Employees, are projected to more than double in 2026, driving coverage losses and pushing more uncompensated care onto hospitals and local governments — costs that ultimately raise prices for everyone. NCAI is encouraged by a growing number of members of Congress who are coming together to negotiate a deal that would prevent sharp premium hikes, coverage losses, and downstream strain on community health systems.

Importantly, reopening the government restores funding for nutrition assistance programs — including SNAP — so states can resume issuing benefits that millions of families experienced during the shutdown.

Still, this moment underscores an enduring reality: temporary fixes are not enough. Government shutdowns and stop-gap funding force Tribal governments to divert time and resources away from serving our people. NCAI renews our call for Congress and the Administration to enact forward funding and, where appropriate, mandatory funding for all Tribal programs — across IHS, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and other federal agencies — to fully honor trust and treaty obligations and shield essential services from political brinkmanship. Data and testimonies obtained during the shutdown made clear how fragile the status quo is for Tribal communities; the solution is lasting, structural funding reform.

NCAI stands ready to work with our bipartisan champions to ensure that the lessons of this shutdown lead to permanent protections for Tribal Nations and the citizens we serve.

NCAI Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to Reopen the Federal Government 

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) extends its deepest compassion and support to the Alaska Native communities impacted by the record-breaking storm surge that struck Western Alaska, including the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The disaster unleashed by Typhoon Halong has resulted in the loss of life, missing persons, and the displacement of more than 1,500 people across 49 communities. Homes have been destroyed, critical infrastructure compromised, and essential subsistence resources disrupted.

At this week’s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. affirmed NCAI’s solidarity with Alaska Native communities. “In these hardest moments, your strength has been undeniable — neighbors helping neighbors, communities rallying overnight,” said Wright. “But this is who we are. We grieve, and keep going. We adapt, and hold the line.” He underscored NCAI’s commitment to working with Tribal, state, and federal partners to secure resources for immediate relief and long-term resilience that honors Tribal sovereignty and protects the well-being of Alaska Native peoples.

NCAI is working with Tribal leaders and partners to elevate the immediate needs of those impacted, including, but not limited to providing safe temporary housing and winter gear; heating fuel and generators; food, water, and medicine; and support to rebuild homes and community infrastructure. Without swift assistance, the risks to health and safety will grow as conditions worsen in the coming weeks.

“Elders, children, and families are facing imminent freezing temperatures without secure housing and subsistence stores for winter are gone,” said Wright. “Indian Country knows what it means to show up for one another. We are asking Tribal Nations, Native organizations, and allies to stand with Western Alaska — now.”

Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, housed at the Alaska Community Foundation

 to support near-term relief and long-term recovery. Every gift helps families secure warmth, shelter, and stability as they rebuild.

NCAI Extends Support Following Devastating Flooding in Western Alaska

— On October 1, 2025, the federal government shutdown after Congress failed to pass meaningful appropriations or a continuing resolution. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is deeply concerned about the immediate and disproportionate harm this federal government shutdown will have on Tribal Nations. While Indian Country has always met adversity with resilience and resolve, shutdowns interrupt the United States’ trust and treaty obligations and create cascading impacts on essential services that keep our communities safe, healthy, and strong.

When the federal government shuts down, delays in funding and reimbursements slow the administration of critical programs across Indian Country — public safety and justice services, health care and behavioral health, child welfare and education, housing and infrastructure, emergency management, nutrition programs, and more. While Tribal governments work tirelessly to fill federal gaps, government shutdowns result in Tribes front-loading scarce resources or pulling funding from other Tribal programs to keep essential services running. Many Tribal Nations do so at significant financial risk, straining local budgets, staff capacity, and long-term planning.

“Shutdowns land hardest on our people,” said Larry Wright, Jr., NCAI Executive Director. “Tribal leaders do what they’ve always done: show up for their citizens, keep clinics open, protect public safety, and care for our elders and children. As sovereign governments we should not have to uphold these commitments we made to our citizens at the expense of federal inaction. The United States must uphold its trust and treaty obligations regardless of the circumstance and without interruption.”

NCAI calls on Congress and the Administration to act swiftly to reopen the government and to enact durable solutions that prevent future disruptions to Tribal programs. This includes ensuring stable, on-time funding for Tribal governments; protecting and expanding advance appropriations where appropriate; and pursuing structural fixes that insulate core services from shutdown politics, such as designating key federal staff serving Indian Country as essential employees and exempting them from any reduction-in-force efforts. These steps are not special treatment — they are the minimum necessary to meet legal and moral obligations to Tribal Nations.

Even in this moment, Indian Country will continue to lead with unity, ingenuity, and care for one another. We urge federal partners to meet that leadership with certainty, respect, and action. NCAI is committed to ensuring Tribal Nations have the resources necessary to be informed.

Learn more and obtain resources for guidance, template letters, and agency contingency links related to the government shutdown, below.

NCAI Statement on Federal Government Shutdown: Indian Country Remains Resilient, But Tribal Communities Will Bear the Burden

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is profoundly troubled by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) decision to maintain the Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for their actions at the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. This choice disregards the historical record of the brutal, unprovoked, and wrongful massacre of the Lakota by the United States 7th Cavalry and the moral imperative to confront injustice with honesty and courage.

Wounded Knee was not a “battle.” It was the intentional mass killing of more than 350 unarmed Lakota men, women, and children seeking safety from invading U.S. soldiers at Wounded Knee Creek. Contrary to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s assertion that the awarding of these medals “in our nation’s history is no longer up for debate,” this act is an atrocity whose horror has been long recognized by historians, Tribal Nations, and even acknowledged by the U.S. Senate in 1990 via 

’s expression of regret. Preserving these medals champions this atrocious massacre and compounds the harm to the victims’ descendants and to all Native peoples.

“Honoring those involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre with the United States’ highest military award is incompatible with the values the Medal of Honor is meant to represent,” said Larry Wright Jr., NCAI Executive Director. “Celebrating war crimes is not patriotic. This decision undermines truth-telling, reconciliation, and the healing that Indian Country and the United States still need.”

Such despicable violence should not have been lauded in the first place. In an effort to right the wrongs of the past, in 2024, the Department of Defense initiated a formal review of these medals; this week’s announcement asserts the medals will remain, despite decades of advocacy from Tribal Nations, historians, and members of Congress to rescind them. NCAI stands with the Lakota Nations, all Tribal communities, and all active Native service members and Native veterans—who serve this country honorably and at higher rates than any other population—who have sought to correct the historical record and align our highest honors with our highest ideals.


NCAI stands with and uplifts the words of Tribal leaders whose communities carry the trauma and structural burdens these acts imposed upon them.


“Secretary Hegseth’s decision is another act of violence against our Lakota people,” said Chairwoman Janet Alkire, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “The Wounded Knee Massacre was an unprovoked attack on men, women, children and elders who had been rounded up by the military. As Indian people, we know what bravery and sacrifice means. We serve in the military at greater rates than any other group in the United States. I served in the Air Force with men and women who were brave and served with honor. The actions at Wounded Knee were not acts of bravery and valor deserving of the Medal of Honor. There is nothing Hegseth can do to rewrite the truth of that day.”


“The Wounded Knee Massacre was one of the darkest days in U.S. history,” added Chairman Ryman LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. “The U.S. Cavalry stopped our people out on the high plains, surrounded them with guns and cannons, disarmed them, opened fire, and murdered them. Women and children were chased down and shot in the back. This is one of America’s darkest days and the medals must be revoked. They tarnish America’s Medals of Honor. There is no honor in murder. Secretary Pete Hegseth made this decision on his own concurrence with no contact or request for consultation to the Tribes.”


We demand that DoD immediately release the report used to make this ahistorical decision, to reverse course, and to immediately meet with NCAI and the leaders of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association. Further, NCAI calls on Congress to honestly and accurately preserve American history through passing the “Remove the Stain Act” so that the nation’s highest honor fulfills its namesake by reflecting courage, not cowardice and cruelty.


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 Statement on Pentagon Decision to Maintain Medals for Soldiers at the Wounded Knee Massacre

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) mourns the passing of Ernie Stevens, Jr., a towering advocate for Tribal sovereignty and a peerless champion of Tribal gaming. For more than two decades as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), Chairman Stevens brought together Tribal Nations, educated policymakers, and protected the rights of Tribal governments affirmed in federal law.

A citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Chairman Stevens dedicated his life in service to Indian Country. Before leading IGA, he served his Nation as an elected Tribal councilman and helped guide national intertribal advocacy as a former First Vice President of NCAI. He also led the reactivation of the IGA-NCAI Tribal Leaders Task Force in 2023. His leadership at IGA — spanning more than a dozen consecutive terms — coincided with the growth of Tribal government gaming into the largest segment of the U.S. gaming industry, strengthening of Tribal economies, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and generating revenue essential to providing critical services in Native communities.

Under his watch, Tribal gaming revenues rose from approximately $11 billion in 2000 to more than $43.9 billion in 2024. He tirelessly educated the media and Congress on the fact that Tribal gaming builds nations and is an essential tool in supporting healthcare, housing, education, public safety, and cultural revitalization across Indian Country. His lifetime of work and dedication to Indian Country has been recognized widely, including being inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Gaming Hall of Fame and through numerous national honors.


Chairman Stevens led with honor, humility, humor, and heart. He built coalitions, mentored the next generation, and always showed up — on Capitol Hill, in statehouses, and at Tribal community events — whenever Indian Country called. His legacy is measured not only in economic milestones, but in the relentless exercise of Tribal sovereignty and the countless leaders he lifted along the way.


“We lost a warrior today,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “Ernie Stevens' voice and work carried forth a family legacy of service with great honor. Not only a national leader, but a smoke dancer and cultural practitioner, he represented the best of what we aspire to be as leaders in Indian Country.”


“Ernie had a gift for bringing people together,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “He believed in unity, and he proved that when Indian Country speaks with one voice, we not only win, but we make lasting change.”


NCAI extends our deepest condolences to the Stevens family, the Oneida Nation, and IGA. We honor Chairman Stevens by continuing the work he devoted his life to: defending Tribal sovereignty, advancing self-determination, and building a future worthy of the next seven generations.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr.

 — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Attorney Michael (Mike) E. Taylor, the Quinault Indian Nation, Tulalip Tribes, and all those whose lives he touched. We are profoundly saddened to learn of his 

, and his absence will be strongly felt across Indian Country.

Mike Taylor’s career embodied the spirit of unwavering dedication to Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. He played an instrumental role in the 

 litigation, which produced the historic 

 affirming fishing rights for Tribal Nations. His strategic and steadfast advocacy ensured that the treaty rights of the Quinault Indian Nation among others in the suit — and all sovereign Tribal Nations — were recognized and upheld under the law.

At NCAI, we honor those who embody the resilience, courage, and vision necessary to protect our homelands and lifeways. Mike Taylor stood as a beacon of commitment: His legacy endures in the restored waters where Tribal fishers cast their nets and in the strengthened sovereignty of every Tribe that continues to draw strength from his work. As we reflect on his contributions, we also remember the warmth and generosity of spirit he shared.

In this time of grief, we stand united with all Tribal communities in honoring his memory. May his family, colleagues, and all who loved him find comfort in the depth and reach of his impact on Indian Country.

NCAI Mourns the Passing of Attorney Michael E. Taylor, Champion of Tribal Sovereignty and Treaty Rights

 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 

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) today reaffirms its long-standing opposition to the use of unsanctioned Native “themed” mascots, caricatures, and symbols. These depictions are not tributes — they are rooted in racism, cultural appropriation, and intentional ignorance. For too long, they have perpetuated harmful stereotypes that degrade, dehumanize, and visit harm on the well-being of Native peoples.

NCAI has helped lead Indian Country’s consensus-driven movement to retire harmful Native “themed” mascots from sports, schools, popular culture, and media for generations. NCAI resolutions 

 passed via consensus among member Tribal Nations 

 addressing the issue of inappropriate and stereotypical Native representation date back to 1950. Today’s renewed statement comes in response to recent public endorsements by political figures supporting unsanctioned Native “themed” mascots — a stance that NCAI and Tribal leaders nationwide unequivocally reject.

“Native people are not mascots,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “We have our own languages, cultures, and governments — our identities are not anyone’s mascot or costume. No political endorsement or misguided notion of ‘honoring’ us will change the fact that these mascots demean our people, diminish the enduring vibrancy of our unique cultures, and have no place in our society.”

 in recent years reflects this: the monikers, images, and fan behaviors associated with Native “themed” mascots cause Native people harm, especially impacting Native youth. Retiring these harmful mascots is an important and necessary first step toward creating an appropriate and respectful learning environment for 

 students. Absent a formal agreement with a sovereign Tribal Nation, NCAI supports the retirement of Native “themed” mascots in public K-12 schools across the United States.

"It’s time to choose respect over ignorance," said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “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.”

Out of respect for tribal sovereignty, NCAI encourages school districts, regardless of their mascot, to consult with nearby Tribal Nations to discuss ways to honor their unique histories, cultures, languages, and peoples in curricula and beyond. There is no better way to ensure their rich histories, deep connection to the land, and ongoing contributions to our communities are never forgotten than to teach their stories and value their collaboration. Honor Tribal Nations by respecting their perspectives, uplifting their voices, and championing their wealth of knowledge, particularly in matters directly impacting their citizens and Indian Country as a whole.

“As Tribal leaders, we have a responsibility to our future generations,” added President Macarro. “Our children deserve to attend schools where their cultures are celebrated instead of mocked, and where curricula on tribal histories and contemporary realities are robust and tribally-informed. We will not rest in this pursuit.”

 including political leaders at every level 

 to join in this effort to retire unsanctioned Native “themed” mascots, promote respectful learning environments for all, and celebrate Tribal Nations and Native peoples as the sovereign communities they are, with the honor and respect that they deserve. NCAI urges Secretary McMahon and the Department of Education to affirm the sovereign right of Tribal Nations to actively participate in the education of their students by supporting decision-making authority at the local level. Finally, NCAI demands that Secretary McMahon and the Department of Education consult directly with the duly elected leaders of sovereign Tribal Nations and prioritize their input when making decisions or issuing statements on matters of importance to Indian Country. This is an issue of tribal sovereignty. NCAI remains committed to ongoing dialogue and partnership.

NCAI Reiterates Opposition to Racist Native “Mascots” Amid Political Endorsements of Harmful Imagery

L to R: Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, President Shannon Holsey, and Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr.

 — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs's recent signing of Emily's Law, establishing the Turquoise Alert System — a mechanism designed to quickly disseminate information about missing or endangered persons 65 years of age or younger in lieu of Amber Alerts or Silver Alerts. This law is a meaningful step toward addressing the deep and persistent disparities in response and justice when people from Indian Country disappear.

The law was named in honor of 14-year-old Emily Pike of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, whose tragic disappearance and death underscore the urgency of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis. Emily's Law ensures that cases like Emily's no longer fall through the cracks of existing alert systems by creating a new 'Turquoise Alert' system in the state. NCAI hopes that the State of Arizona and law enforcement agencies elsewhere will treat all cases of missing Native children seriously and use these alert systems with all urgency in times of crisis.

Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) new 'Missing Endangered Persons' Emergency Alert System Code (MEP)

 will go into effect in September 2025. This regulatory change expands critical alert messages to include populations outside of Amber Alerts. While not specific to Indigenous people, the new MEP code will ensure the Wireless Emergency Alert system delivers rapid response messages to the public via television, radio, and wireless phones, including for federal Ashanti Alerts and state-enacted alerts, such as Silver Alerts and Arizona's new Turquoise Alert.

The Turquoise Alert System will further align Arizona’s system with federal efforts advocated for by NCAI. The system is a state-level reflection of the goals outlined in NCAI Resolutions 

: it recognizes the unique vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous communities, eases cross-jurisdictional cooperation between tribal, state, and local authorities, and leverages technology to alert the public in critical moments.

Emily's Law is a significant milestone in the collective effort to prevent further tragedy. “As advocates and allies, it is crucial that we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing federal, state, and tribal collaboration in order to close existing gaps, raise awareness, and ultimately bring our missing relatives home,” says Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians and Co-Chair of NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women. “The implementation of Emily's Law not only serves as a crucial step towards addressing the needs of Indigenous communities but also reinforces our shared responsibility to create a more just and equitable society for all.”

The passage of Emily’s Law would not have been possible without the leadership of tribal officials like Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, who collaborated with state lawmakers to advance this urgent and long-overdue legislation. Although Emily was not a member of his tribe, Governor Lewis is committed to protecting Indigenous people in Arizona and beyond from the systemic neglect that characterizes the response to missing person cases across Indian Country.

“We cannot allow jurisdictional gaps and systemic inaction to continue costing Native lives. Emily’s Law represents a powerful commitment to protect our children — every Indigenous child in every corner of Arizona deserves to be seen, heard, and swiftly brought home if they go missing,” said Governor Stephen Roe Lewis. “This law is a legislative victory and a moral imperative that could — and should — be replicated and implemented in every state.”

His advocacy underscores the vital role tribal leaders play in shaping policy that addresses the unique needs of Native communities. NCAI commends this example of intergovernmental partnership and urges continued collaboration to ensure no more Indigenous lives are lost due to inaction.

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