WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) strongly condemns the large-scale reductions in force (RIFs) purportedly resulting from the ongoing government shutdown, which disproportionately impact Tribal programs — particularly those supporting health care, housing, economic development, and education in Native communities.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought’s notice that “The RIFs have begun” on X (formerly known as Twitter) obscures the fact that these cuts represent the people and programs that are essential to the basic functioning of Tribes and their communities. Any reductions in force represent an immediate and direct threat to the sovereignty, well-being, and future of Tribal Nations, undermining decades of progress toward equitable federal-Tribal relations and self-determination, and are a direct affront to self-governance and self-determination.

"Targeting people who manage and support programs that are the backbone of Tribal communities — our health, our homes, our economic futures, and our children's education — is not just short-sighted, it's an abdication of the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations," said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. "Our communities are not expendable. These actions are a betrayal of the promises made to Tribal Nations, and we will not remain silent as the very infrastructure of our future is dismantled."

This year is the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), which shifted the United States government’s policy from one of Indian reorganization to self-determination. In the past 10 months, Tribal Nations have seen continued impact on the people, programs, and funding that are fundamental to Tribal self-determination, upholding trust and treaty obligations, and bound to Tribal Nations’ inherent right to sovereignty. These hits collectively undermine the intent and purpose of ISDEAA. The actions taken by OMB and agencies are an affront to the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Tribes, and must not stand.

NCAI calls upon the Office of Management and Budget and subject agencies to immediately rescind these ill-advised reductions in force, restore positions and funding appropriated to Tribes and Tribal programs, and uphold its responsibility to consult with Tribal Nations before taking actions that affect our people. NCAI further urges Congress to end the shutdown immediately and fully fund Tribal programs to prevent further disruption across Indian Country.

Tribal Nations have honored their commitments. It is past time for the federal government to do the same.

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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.