Washington, D.C. — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) expresses strong support for the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2025, a draft bill released by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The comprehensive draft bill aims to enhance the well-being and future opportunities of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian youth and families, marking significant legislative action and funding to improve their lives.
Rooted in the recommendations provided by The Way Forward Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (the Commission), the draft legislation addresses critical areas such as child welfare, justice systems, physical and behavioral health, housing stability, education, culturally relevant child care, and improved research and data collection. The Commission conducted 61 regional public hearings, virtual hearings, and site visits to learn from Native communities and witness programs serving Native children and youth and transmitted 29 recommendations to Congress that addressed the needs of Native youth and families from a cultural, traditional, and holistic perspective. Senator Murkowski has shown that she listened to the Commission, as demonstrated by the incorporation of their recommendations into this draft legislation.
“NCAI commends Chairman Murkowski’s leadership and commitment to Native communities through this significant legislative proposal,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “Efforts to make the Tiwahe Demonstration Project permanent, expand self-determination and self-governance in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition programs, increase resources for child welfare programs, and expand grants in Public Law 102-477 plans represents an essential step forward to ensure that the voices and needs of Native children and families are not only recognized and valued, but meaningfully supported through culturally responsive policies and practices.”
NCAI appreciates Chairman Murkowski’s dedication to continued consultation and collaboration with Tribal Nations, advocates, and organizations serving Native communities. NCAI will actively participate in the ongoing legislative process to ensure meaningful outcomes for Native youth and families.
NCAI encourages tribal stakeholders to provide feedback via email on the draft language by September 12, 2025, to Murkowski_Outreach@Indian.Senate.Gov. To assist tribal stakeholders in preparing their feedback, NCAI is planning a webinar in partnership with its sister organizations: Tribal Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium, Alaska Federation of Natives, National Indian Child Welfare Association, National Indian Health Board, National Indian American Housing Council, and National Indian Education Association, as well as Anita Fineday, Commissioner on the Commission on Native Children, on August 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. CT, 1:00 p.m. MT, 12:00 p.m. PT, 11:00 a.m. AK, and 10:00 a.m. HT.
Please register for the webinar here: https://tinyurl.com/sc4a4msv
If you have any questions or comments for NCAI, please email policyinfo@ncai.org.
