WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 15, 2026) | The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the 

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO)

 condemn President Donald Trump’s proclamations reducing Bears Ears National Monument by 

 and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by 

. These actions directly attack Tribal sovereignty, sacred places, cultural resources, and hard-won advances in Tribal-federal collaboration.

Bears Ears was established through the unified leadership of the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni, creating a historic co-management framework rooted in Indigenous land stewardship. Similarly, Grand Staircase-Escalante holds profound cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for the Tribal Nations of Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal Coalition — the Hopi Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Zuni Tribe. Stripping away protections from these interconnected homelands abruptly exposes sacred sites, ancestral burial grounds, and ceremonial areas to immediate threats posed by extraction, industrial development, looting, and vandalism.

NCAI’s opposition to these cuts is grounded in years of formal organizational policy:

The resolution urged Congress to take legislative action affirming that only Congress — not the President or executive agencies — may modify, reduce, or revoke national monument designations, and called on federal agencies to obtain free, prior, and informed consent from affected Tribal Nations before altering monument boundaries or protections.

 The resolution urged the permanent protection of the 1.9 million-acre Bears Ears region and the establishment of a historic Federal-Tribal Collaborative Management framework.

 As filed previously in federal court alongside the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), NCAI maintained that removing Tribal involvement and shrinking monument boundaries would inflict irreversible damage on sacred landscapes and severely fracture the government-to-government trust relationship.

 NCAI continues to vigorously oppose legislative maneuvers, such as the misuse of the 

, that seek to overturn the hard-fought 2025 Monument Management Plans for 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

, which codify Tribal consultation and the use of Indigenous Knowledge in land management.

NATHPO and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers work on the front lines to protect sacred places, ancestral sites, burial places, cultural objects, and historic properties. Any federal undertaking affecting lands removed from monument protection must fully comply with the 

 and other applicable laws, including requirements to meaningfully consult with affected Tribal Nations and their Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.

 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments. It does not authorize presidents to unilaterally dismantle existing monument protections.

NCAI and NATHPO call upon the administration to:

Rescind the proclamations and restore the full boundaries and protections of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

Immediately halt new development, extraction, leasing, permitting, and other ground-disturbing activities on lands removed from monument protection while legal challenges proceed.

Engage in meaningful nation-to-nation consultation with every affected Tribal Nation.

Consult directly with affected Tribal Historic Preservation Officers before authorizing any action that could affect sacred places, cultural landscapes, historic properties, or ancestral remains.

Preserve and strengthen Tribal participation in the stewardship and management of both monuments.

Uphold the federal government’s trust, treaty, historic preservation, and consultation responsibilities.

We further call upon Congress to defend the integrity of the Antiquities Act by rejecting 

 and any similar legislation that seeks to weaken protections for Tribal sacred places, cultural resources, and ancestral homelands.

Protecting these lands is not simply a conservation matter. It is a matter of Tribal sovereignty, religious freedom, historic preservation, cultural survival, and justice.

Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal Coalition

, and all affected Tribal Nations as they continue to defend the monuments in the consolidated 

 litigation, which was remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah following the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ June 2026 decision. NCAI and NATHPO will also support Tribal Nations in pursuing appropriate legal remedies challenging these unlawful reductions, informed by the legal theory first advanced in the Tribes' 2017 lawsuit, 

, which remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, while continuing to oppose legislative efforts to weaken the Antiquities Act.

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 

About the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers: 

NATHPO is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization, founded in 1998, of Tribal preservation leaders protecting culturally important places that perpetuate Native identity, resilience, and cultural endurance. Connections to cultural heritage sustain the health and vitality of Native peoples. We provide guidance to preservation officials, elected representatives, and the public about national historic preservation legislation, policies, and regulations. We promote Tribal sovereignty, develop partnerships, and advocate for Tribes in governmental activities on preservation issues. For more information visit our website at 

NCAI and NATHPO Condemn Trump’s Massive Cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante

America’s History Must Include the Truth About Tribal Nations.

| The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest and largest organization representing Tribal Nations and Native peoples, expresses profound concern over the White House’s report, 

, which seeks to redefine how our nation’s history is interpreted and presented to the American public.

The story of America cannot be told honestly by erasing or minimizing the histories of the original peoples of this land. Tribal Nations have existed since time immemorial and continue to exercise their inherent sovereignty today. Any effort to reshape our nation’s history that ignores the experiences, voices, and legal status of Tribal Nations undermines both historical accuracy and the government-to-government relationship recognized in the United States Constitution, treaties, federal law, and centuries of judicial precedent.

The report dismisses or challenges well-established historical scholarship concerning Native American history, including the realities of land dispossession, forced removal, genocide, assimilation policies, and the federal Indian boarding school era. These are not matters of political ideology — they are documented historical facts supported by extensive federal records, Tribal oral histories, academic scholarship, and official findings of the United States government itself.

For generations, Native peoples endured deliberate policies intended to remove them from their homelands, dismantle Tribal governments, suppress Native languages, prohibit cultural and spiritual practices, and separate Native children from their families through the federal boarding school system. The devastating impacts of these policies continue to affect Tribal communities today.

The United States has acknowledged many of these truths. Federal investigations into the Indian boarding school system documented widespread abuse, forced assimilation, and the lasting intergenerational trauma experienced by Native families. These findings deserve recognition — not dismissal.

Similarly, discussions of land dispossession are not an attack on America; they are an acknowledgment of the historical processes through which the United States expanded while entering into hundreds of treaties with Tribal Nations — many of which were subsequently violated. Honest history recognizes that the United States and Tribal Nations share a complex history rooted in diplomacy, conflict, resilience, and survival.

“The report overlooks a fundamental truth: Native Nations are not simply another cultural or ethnic group. Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with a unique political relationship with the United States,” said Larry Wright, Jr., NCAI Executive Director. “Native citizenship in Tribal Nations exists alongside United States citizenship, a dual political status that reflects the enduring sovereignty of Tribal governments. This distinction is foundational to the U.S. government’s relationship with Tribal Nations and should never be minimized or mischaracterized.”

Museums, educators, historians, and cultural institutions have a responsibility to present history grounded in evidence, scholarship, and the lived experiences of the communities whose histories they interpret. Honest history does not weaken America. It strengthens our democracy by allowing us to learn from the past, honor those who endured injustice, and build a more informed future.

“As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, Americans deserve a complete history — one that recognizes both our country’s achievements and its failures. Patriotism is not built upon omission. It is strengthened by truth, accountability, and a shared commitment to justice,” said Wright.

NCAI stands with Tribal Nations, Native scholars, educators, cultural leaders, survivors of the federal Indian boarding school era, and all who believe that America’s story must include the voices of Indigenous peoples. Attempts to erase or diminish these histories dishonor not only Native communities but also the nation’s own commitment to truth and democratic values.

The National Congress of American Indians calls upon federal leaders, Congress, museums, educators, and the American public to reject efforts to politicize or revise the documented history of Tribal Nations. Instead, we urge continued support for historical scholarship, Tribal consultation, Indigenous language revitalization, implementation of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative recommendations, and education that reflects the full and accurate history of the United States.

“America’s story begins with Tribal Nations. It cannot be told truthfully without us.”

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 Responds to White House “Saving America’s Story” Report

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listened to Tribal voices! We are thrilled to share that the FCC has 

officially delayed the upcoming Noncommercial Educational (NCE) FM Translator Filing Window

 to send a formal letter to the FCC urging them to push back the original August deadline. We emphasized that a compressed summer schedule simply does not provide Tribal Nations with adequate time to complete necessary engineering studies, conduct budget analyses, and secure essential Tribal Council approvals.

 The FCC agreed, directly citing our letter and acknowledging that "a November filing window better aligns with Tribal governmental processes."

Because NCE translator filing windows are rare, this extension is a massive victory. It ensures Tribal Nations have a realistic opportunity to participate, allowing communities to expand locally controlled media, preserve language, and strengthen emergency communications for decades to come!

FCC Extends Key Filing Window for Tribal Broadcasters

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) honors the life and service of Victor Roubidoux, an Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma elder, U.S. Army veteran, founder and former director of the Grey Snow Eagle House, former Treasurer of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and former chair of NCAI’s Repatriation and Sacred Sites Committee.

Roubidoux’s life was marked by service, vision, and a deep responsibility to protect the cultural and spiritual relationships Tribal Nations hold with eagles. Through the Grey Snow Eagle House, he helped create a Native-led place of care for bald and golden eagles, supporting their rehabilitation, long-term protection, and when possible, their return to the wild. His work strengthened the role of Native leadership in conservation and reflected a lifelong commitment to honoring sacred responsibilities through action.

“Victor Roubidoux carried his responsibilities with humility, strength, and a deep love for our people,” said Christie Modlin, NCAI Secretary and Secretary of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. “His service to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, his leadership in protecting sacred places, and his lifelong care for eagles leave a legacy that will continue to guide and inspire our Nation and all of Indian Country.”


Before founding the Grey Snow Eagle House, Roubidoux served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Palm. He later served the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma as Treasurer for 13 years and contributed to national advocacy through his leadership with NCAI’s Repatriation and Sacred Sites Committee, helping advance efforts to protect sacred places, cultural items, and Tribal sovereignty.


NCAI extends its condolences to Victor’s family, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Grey Snow Eagle House staff, and all those who carry forward his work. His legacy will be remembered through his service to his Tribal Nation, his care for eagles, and his enduring contributions to cultural protection across Indian Country.


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 www.ncai.org.

NCAI Honors the Life and Service of Victor Roubidoux

NCAI Statement on Protecting Native Voting Rights Following Supreme Court Mail-In Ballot Decision

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) notes that the Supreme Court of the United States upheld a Mississippi law that allows legally cast mail-in ballots to be accepted after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. In many Tribal communities, voters face unavoidable delays from the United States Postal Service and other common carriers, which can result in disenfranchisement if their ballots cannot be collected and delivered to distant, state-designated locations in a timely manner.

Like Mississippi, many states have enacted similar legislation to ensure the voices of American voters in remote and rural areas – including the voices of many American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) voters – are still heard and included. As an amicus curiae with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) and others, NCAI and its attorneys at the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) brought to the Court’s attention these very real logistical obstacles faced by millions of AI/AN voters.

Despite this positive ruling, Tribal Nations and their citizens must maintain vigilance over their hard-won voting rights, be aware of impediments and obstacles, and strategize now to ensure that their voices are heard in every election. Threats to AI/AN voting rights persist through regulations and executive orders that seek to impose administrative burdens on voting which disproportionately impact Tribal access to the electoral process.

“Since our founding over eighty years ago, NCAI has stood strong for Native voting rights in state and federal elections,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “The Court’s decision ensures one less barrier to counting Native votes. NCAI remains dedicated to ensuring each and every Native voice is heard at the ballot box.”

 for more information and for available resources on how you or your community can help in the ongoing work of ensuring Native votes count. If your Tribal Nation, organization, or collective is committed to increasing civic participation and strengthening the political power of AI/AN communities, we encourage you to apply for a Sko Vote Den 2026 Mini-Grant by 

. The application is online only and can be accessed using this 

NCAI calls on Tribal Nations and all Tribal citizens to exercise their civil liberties through voting at every election opportunity.

In a unanimous vote, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has joined the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Oneida Nation, and numerous media outlets in taking a stand against the name of the Washington, DC football team.

The Leadership Conference is the nation’s premier civil and human rights coalition representing more than 200 diverse national organizations. Today, members 

 calling upon the Washington, DC team “to change its team name, and to refrain from the use of any other images, mascots, or behaviors that are or could be deemed harmful or demeaning to Native American cultures or peoples” and notes that using this slur as the team’s name “cannot in any reasonable way be viewed as honoring the culture or historical legacy of any particular Native American tribe or individual.”

The resolution also urged state, local, and federal governments to “to end any preferential tax, zoning, or other policy treatment that could be viewed as supporting the franchise as long as it retains its current team name.”

The NAACP, National Council of La Raza, American Association of People with Disabilities, the ACLU, National Organization for Women, and the Anti-Defamation League are just some of the organizations represented by the civil and human rights coalition.

In response to the unanimous support of the resolution, Jacqueline Johnson Pata, Executive Director of NCAI, remarked:

“By recognizing the ongoing disparagement of American Indian and Alaska Natives and asking the NFL to change the name of the DC franchise, the Leadership Conference reconfirms its commitment to fighting for equal rights for Native peoples. Passing this resolution at their annual meeting further proves that LCCHR is fully behind this work and NCAI is proud and happy to have them on our team.”

Over 200 Civil Rights Organizations Call For Washington, DC Football Team To Change Its Name

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds the House of Representatives for unanimously passing 

The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Tom Cole (R-OK), allows for the construction of a Native American Veterans’ Memorial on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian. Tribes have long been working for a monument in our nation’s capital to honor our Native veterans’ service.

NCAI is looking forward to celebrating and honoring the dedication and commitment of Native veterans with a physical monument to their bravery. In partnership with the National Museum of the American Indian and tribal government across the country, NCAI will work to raise the funds for the project and to design a memorial worthy of these warriors.

The Senate will soon take up this bill’s companion, S. 1046. NCAI encourages the Senate to take swift, unanimous, and bipartisan action to send the legislation to the White House for President Obama’s signature.

NCAI Applauds House of Representatives for Passing Bill Allowing for Native American Veterans’ Memorial

NCAI President Brian Cladoosby, Swinomish Tribe:

“A great leader has returned to the Creator. Indian people, like others who have suffered injustice and oppression, have long identified with the struggle for freedom and equality of the South African people. For us, Nelson Mandela has been and will always be an inspiration.


Mandela was relentless in the pursuit of justice, committed to respect for the common humanity we all share and dedicated to the improvement of the lives of his people. May we honor his memory by recommitting ourselves to effort worthy of his example on behalf of all those for whom equality is still a dream."

NCAI President Releases Statement on Nelson Mandela's Passing

 – Following the White House Tribal Nations Conference, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is pleased with the prospect of progress on addressing the challenges of climate change in Indian Country.

During the Conference, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and many government officials— including President Obama—spoke to the severe impacts climate change has had on American Indians and Alaska Natives while focusing on how the federal government can work with tribal leaders to best address these challenges.

Secretary Jewell set the tone for the conversation on climate change by remarking on the importance “of the ongoing dialogues we need to have as we work together toward tribal self-determination and self-governance and promoting prosperous and resilient tribal nations.”

Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz discussed the over 30 Alaska Native villages that are facing imminent threats from rising seas levels and how hydroelectric and other energy projects have been stymied by climate change. Further, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy encouraged inter-governmental communication by asking tribal leaders to “help us explain why Climate Change must be addressed now and why it is our responsibility” to combat it for seventh generation and beyond.

President Obama reasserted his dedication to protecting tribal lands:

“The health of tribal nations depends on the health of tribal lands. So it falls on all of us to protect the extraordinary beauty of those lands for future generations. And already, many of your lands have felt the impacts of a changing climate, including more extreme flooding and droughts. That’s why, as part of the Climate Action Plan I announced this year, my administration is partnering with you to identify where your lands are vulnerable to climate change, how we can make them more resilient.”

The Climate Action Plan includes the President’s Executive Order “Preparing the U.S. for the Impacts of Climate Change” and his appointment of two tribal leaders to the twelve-member Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.

It is critically important that tribal leaders are at the table because too often, Native voices are left out of federal conversations around mitigating the effects of climate change. Indian Country faces some of the most difficult challenges stemming from climate change because of the remote location of many tribal lands and, particularly in Alaska, the dependence on the land and animals for subsistence living. NCAI applauds the Administration for this effort and is hopeful that by working together, government-to-government, tribal communities will have the tools necessary to address climate change.

Also this week, NCAI joined an 

 in support of young people suing the federal government for not acting to reverse climate change. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the 

 emphasizes the drastic effects climate change has in Native communities, particularly Alaska, and “[t]hese communities contribute little, if at all, to the problem of climate change, and, yet, bear a disproportionately large adverse impact from climate change given their unique vulnerability.” 

The brief states that “climate change ravages Native Nations, and the federal government, which includes the defendants-appellees in this case, has a responsibility to assist these Nations by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.” The federal government has trust responsibility to tribes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and act in the best interest of tribes.

NCAI is committed to working with the Administration, Congress, and within the federal courts to ensure the voice of Indian Country is heard and tribal leaders are in involved in planning and action conversations around addressing the urgent problem of climate change.

The lawsuit was filed with the help of Our Children’s Trust, an Oregon-based non-profit orchestrating a game-changing, youth-driven legal campaign in the United States and across the globe. The following organizations joined with leading climate scientists, law scholars, national security experts, government leaders, faith groups, and environmental NGOs in signing onto the 

 brief:

Akiak Native Community
Alaska Inter-Tribal Council
Forgotten People
Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Working Group
National Congress of American Indians
National Native American Law Student Association

NCAI Joins With Other Native Organizations And The Obama Administration To Address The Effects Of Climate Change In Indian Country

WASHINGTON, DC – President Obama and thirteen members of his Cabinet joined over 300 tribal leaders at the fifth annual White House Tribal Nations Conference. Through speeches and listening sessions, the Administration highlighted the improving partnership with tribal nations and declared a commitment to elevating the relationship throughout the next three years.

The Conference included a townhall portion during which tribal leaders asked questions of several members of the White House Council on Native American Affairs. In the townhall’s opening statement, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Brian Cladoosby firmly asserted the need to establish a “trust relationship for the 21st century” and urged the Council to regularly convene cabinet officials and tribal leaders at the White House and throughout Indian Country. Other tribal leaders emphasized the importance of addressing the 

 Supreme Court decision, fully funding Contract Support Costs, and honoring the trust responsibility in the federal budget.

In afternoon remarks to tribal leaders, President Barack Obama committed to visiting Indian Country next year and echoed Cladoosby’s call for close communication between the nations:

“The Iroquois called their network of alliances with other tribes and European nations a ‘covenant chain.’ Each link represented a bond of peace and friendship. But that covenant chain didn’t sustain itself. It needed constant care, so that it would stay strong. And that’s what we’re called to do, to keep the covenant between us for this generation and for future generations.”

Attorney General Eric Holder also delivered poignant remarks as he recommitted to a close partnership with tribal nations and spoke of the progress made since Robert Kennedy's address to NCAI in 1963. AG Holder acknowledged the "injustice inflicted on Native peoples" in the past and committed to a relationship "not as a patron but a partner." NCAI welcomes AG Holder's proposed "Statement of Principles" that will guide the Department of Justice’s dealings with Indian Country.

NCAI looks forward to working with the White House to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship and continuing the policy conversations begun during the Conference. The full list of Cabinet officials participating in the White House meeting included:

Attorney General Eric Holder
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
Education Secretary Arne Duncan
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Rand Beers
Acting Small Business Administrator Jeanne Hulit


Also participating:
Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley
Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muñoz

Tribal Leaders Meet With President Obama And Thirteen Cabinet Officials, Emphasize Need For 21st Century Trust Relationship

On this day the National Congress of American Indians joins the nation in celebrating and honoring the dedication and commitment of veterans who have been there for us, standing guard and defending our freedom and well-being.

Most American Indian and Alaska Native veterans who have survived conflicts around the world and in peacetime to support their respective branches of military service often come back and achieve success in their daily lives. Unfortunately, there are those veterans who return to a stark reality of difficulty in finding adequate housing, employment and much needed health care.

There is commonality among these outstanding Americans whom we see every day that they do not seek extraordinary treatment even though deserved. NCAI wishes to express to veterans and their families that we sincerely acknowledge our deepest gratitude to all veterans of this nation. We also recommit our effort in pursuit and advocacy on behalf of veterans and call upon those in decision-making positions in the Congress and the Administration to prioritize programs and policies which will ensure that homelessness among veterans will be eradicated; that state of the art health care will be available near tribal and non-tribal communities; and that job training and placement will be provided to all those seeking employment.

It is not the least we can do as we can never do enough. We hope that all citizens of this nation will stand with us this day and renew their commitment on behalf of those who have given their best, who have sacrificed life and limb, without question.

To all veterans, thank you for your service, honor and dignity.

Celebrating and Honoring the Dedication and Commitment of Veterans

The Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chairman
The Honorable Kenyan McDuffie, Chair Pro Tempore
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20004

RE: NCAI IN SUPPORT OF DC COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID GROSSO’S PR 20-239, AND THE DC COUNCIL’S CONTINUED SUPPORT TO CHANGE THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM NAME 

Dear Chairman Mendelson and Chair Pro Tempore McDuffie:

On behalf of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), I respectfully submit this letter in support of Council Member David Grosso’s Proposed Resolution 20-239 and the DC Council’s previous and continued support to change the Washington football team name. Established in 1944, NCAI is the largest and oldest representative organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, and serves the broad interests of the nation’s 566 tribal governments consisting of the over 5.2 million Native peoples. 

In 1968, NCAI launched a campaign to end negative and harmful stereotypes perpetuated by media and popular culture. These efforts have been rooted in an attempt to achieve social justice and racial equality for Native people. The continued use of racist and derogatory “Indian” sports mascots, logos, and symbols have perpetuated negative stereotypes of America’s first peoples. Rather than honoring Native peoples, these caricatures and stereotypes contribute to a disregard for the diverse cultural heritages of Native people. \Stereotypes significantly affect how our people view the world and their place in society, while also affecting how society views Native peoples in historical and contemporary contexts. NCAI’s position and 45 year campaign to end the era of degrading “Indian” stereotypes and mascots is directly linked to ongoing efforts in building a healthy and nurturing environment for our Native youth to flourish and become the next generation of leaders. 

When President Obama stated in an interview with the Associated Press in October 2013 that the Washington Football team name is offensive to a “sizeable group of people” and affirmed the “real and legitimate concerns” of Native peoples, his statements further encouraged the effort to change the name of the Washington football team and end its legacy of marketing a racial slur. As a result of ongoing education and advocacy, over 2,000 “Indian” references in primary, secondary, and post-secondary school sports have been eliminated during the past 35 years. However, nearly 1,000 “Indian” references in school sports still exist today including the Washington football team name, which receives national media coverage and substantial economic revenues from marketing a racial slur. 

In 2001 the DC Council adopted Resolution 14-263, which requested the Washington football team to change its name and, in keeping with that same objective, I respectfully request your support for DC Council Member Grosso’s Proposed Resolution 20-239. I would also request your support on H.R. 1278, the Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013. H.R. 1278 was introduced by Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-A.S.) on March 20, 2013, and has received widespread support and praise from tribal governments, organizations, and individuals. NCAI is appreciative that DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton is a cosponsor. Passage of this legislation would ensure that trademarks using the “R” word would be rescinded and any future applications to register trademarks using the “R” word would be denied. 

Usage of this term carries negative historical connotations reminiscent to the eras of termination of Indian tribes and the assimilation of Native people. The history behind the use of this word in no way honors Native peoples and has no place in our modern American society. President Obama’s remarks on the Washington NFL team name underscore the increasingly obvious fact that now is the time to be on the side of right, now is the time to change this offensive name. 

Again, I respectfully request your support for Council Member Grosso’s Proposed Resolution 14-263. Passage of this Resolution would make a firm, resounding statement from the elected officials representing our nation’s capital. I would also request your support for Congressional passage of H.R. 1278 to ensure disparaging terms, such as the “R” word are removed from trademark protections and never used again. Sincerely,

Brian Cladoosby
President
National Congress of American Indians 

Cc.: DC Council Member At-Large Anita Bonds
DC Council Member At-Large David Grosso
DC Council Member At-Large David Catania
DC Council Member At-Large Vincent Orange
DC Ward Member Jim Graham
DC Ward Member Jack Evans
DC Ward Member Mary M. Cheh
DC Ward Member Muriel Bowser
DC Ward Member Tommy Wells
DC Ward Member Yvette Alexander
DC Ward Member Marion Barry

President Cladoosby sends letter in support of DC Council's Resolution to Change the Washington Football team name.

opinion piece on the Huffington Post regarding the Washington football team name

"We're honoring you!" "Get a life!" "It's not racist." "Get over it."

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has been hearing these reactions and excuses in response to any suggestion of changing the name of the Washington football team for years. Somehow a word that is on par with the n-word and other racial slurs is acceptable as an NFL team name.

No racial group would stand for a team name that denigrated their cultural identity, but Native Americans are expected to stand by and accept this treatment just because some don't see the word as offensive.

Let's be clear: "Redsk*n" is a racial slur, no matter how many weak justifications defenders try and come up with to keep using it.

There is nothing honorable about the word. Native peoples are not honored by the slur, the image, or the mockery of "war dances" on the sidelines.

The word isn't a benign classification of a person's skin tone. Not only is it a term that has been uttered with scorn and hatred, it also refers to the literal "red skin" bounty hunters would collect in order to be paid for the number of Natives they slaughtered. These men would kill Native people then rip the skin from their bodies in order to receive payment. It isn't a term that honors the "strength, courage, pride, and respect" so many argue it does. It is a term born of the violence Native Americans have been experiencing for hundreds of years.

Use of the word is recognized as racist in many scenarios: if one child called another child a "redsk*n," it would be bullying; if one adult referred to another as a "redski*n" at work, it would be harassment; if "redsk*n" was used in the course of a crime or scrawled on someone's home, the perpetrator would be charged with a hate crime. Most readers probably would never consider calling a Native American a "redsk*n to their face. Yet, the name is defended because it is the name of a football team.

Longtime supporters of the DC team often recount memories of cheering for the team with family members, singing the fight song, and being proud of their home team. In his letter to fans, team owner Dan Snyder argued that those traditions and early experiences are part of his identity: "it mattered so much to me as a child, and I know it matters to every other Redsk*ns fan in the D.C. area and across the nation. Our past isn't just where we came from -- it's who we are."

But is it team spirit, sportsmanship, enjoyment of the game, and cheering for the home team that matter, or is all that secondary to the name itself? More and more fans are coming to the realization that memories, traditions, and identity are not so fleeting as to be marred by using a different name.

One avid fan wrote of her fond childhood memories of the DC team and of becoming a fan while a young child in El Salvador before coming to the United States. She has loved the team longer than she has been an American. Yet, when she faced the real offense felt by many Native people and the fact that no other racial group would be forced to endure a team name that denigrated their identity, she came to the obvious conclusion - tradition or not, the name has to go.



Defenders of the name frequently refer to laughably unscientific polls that say Native Americans are not offended by the name. Of the many problems with the methodology of these polls, the most egregious is that at no time were respondents asked any details about their Native heritage. No questions were asked about tribal citizenship/membership, about cultural knowledge, or about connections to tribal lands or families. It is entirely unclear exactly who was polled or whether they are, in fact, tribal citizens.

During NCAI's 70th Annual Convention and Marketplace in mid-October, thousands of elected tribal leaders and Native peoples representing hundreds of Native nations, gathered to work for a better future for our tribal nations and the United States. A resolution was passed unanimously "Commending Efforts to Eliminate Racist Stereotypes in Sports" to publicly declare the support of tribal nations in the work to end this era of racism in sports. This is all the evidence necessary to know that Native peoples, raised in and living with their own traditions, find these types of mascots disparaging.

The numbers are clear: Native peoples want the name to change. Those asking for a change are not a small minority. From all walks of life and across the political spectrum -- from the president to NFL hall of famers and fans -- there is public acknowledgement that the name needs to go.

As so many have pointed out, the Native American community does have problems other than the names of sports teams. Poverty is rampant in Indian Country. Sexual assault is a daily problem for men and women -- and nearly 70 percent of the aggressors in these attacks are non-Native. The Indian Child Welfare Act is ignored and Native children continue to be separated from their families. Elected tribal leaders consistently strive to make changes for their people as do the elected leaders of other communities across the country.

These issues are usually ignored by the media and policymakers. Threaten a football team's name, though, and these problems are used to deflect and trivialize the use of stereotypes and racism. Mocking Native cultures is not trivial. Ending the casual use of racism is important.

It is also important that this debate over mascots and names continue to open doors to conversations that introduce Washingtonians and the American people to the 5.2 million Native peoples in America today. Our peoples face daily problems and have always made positive contributions to American society: as governments and business leaders, veterans, first responders, elected officials, entertainers and sportspeople -- not just as caricatures on a team logo. This debate isn't an opportunity to defend racism by pointing to "bigger problems," it is an opportunity to confront racism by creating awareness and better understanding about this problem.

Native peoples are everything Washington Redsk*n apologists want their team name to represent but doesn't. We are strong. We are brave. We are proud.

We are not mascots. It's time for a change.

Opinion: Would You Call Me a Redsk*n to My Face?

Click here to read the 2013 Annual Convention Week In Review

2013 Annual Convention Newsletter

"Congress Must Act Immediately To Provide Rapid Recovery For Our Tribes And Work To Ensure That Political Gamesmanship And Inactivity Does Not Harm Native Peoples Again."

LaCONNER, WA- In his first statement after being sworn in as the 21st president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Brian Cladoosby – Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community – called for reduced thresholds for federal tribal disaster assistance and challenged Congress to prioritize Native peoples in the post-shutdown legislative calendar, including acting on the Farm Bill:


"As I begin my term, my thoughts and prayers are with the South Dakota tribes. The Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes have been devastated by the recent storm that swept the Great Plains – and the federal government failed, again, to maintain treaty agreements that ensure disaster relief is provided when citizens are in distress. When the federal government neglects citizens in times of emergency, the effects can be long term.

Tribes are now eligible for federal disaster assistance under the Stafford Act, however the high monetary damages threshold hampers impoverished areas because what is lost by low-income citizens often does not meet the required amount. The federal government has a fiduciary duty to protect tribal citizens but without changes to the threshold, tribal citizens will continue to suffer from the consequences of disasters.

The immediate problems caused by collapsing homes and widespread loss of livestock are only the beginning. Tribal ranchers and farmers in South Dakota will feel the economic impact of this storm for years to come as they will now have to rebuild their livelihoods from scratch. Allowing the current Farm Bill to lapse without action, coupled with the government shutdown, meant that support systems at the Department of Agriculture were unavailable to Native farmers and ranchers during this terrible storm. These failures of Congress prolong the claims process and inhibit Native food production and economic development. Further, with no Farm Bill and the lack of government funding for food assistance programs, many tribal citizens were left without access to food all while these vital programs are used as political bargaining chips. No one – especially our tribal citizens most in need – should ever have to go without food while being used as pawns in the lawmaking process. 

Congress must pass a Farm Bill that will support tribal nations and others around the country who are in dire straits and it must keep nutrition programs with farm policies because there should never be a disconnect between food production and feeding people. Congress must act immediately to provide rapid recovery for our tribes and work to ensure that political gamesmanship and inactivity does not harm Native peoples again.”

Statement from Newly Elected NCAI President Cladoosby

Tulsa, OK – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) elected a new Executive Committee today at the 70th Annual Convention & Marketplace. The Executive Committee is charged with advancing the mission of NCAI to protect and advance tribal sovereignty by representing the issues and priorities of tribal nations throughout the country.

 Brian Cladoosby, Chairman, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community


 Michael Finley, Chairman, Colville Tribes


 Robert Shepard, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate


 Dennis Welsh, Jr., Tribal Council Member, Colorado River Indian Tribes


The Executive Committee is elected by NCAI membership: the President, First Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer are elected by the entire membership; and the twelve Regional Vice Presidents are elected by each respective region. Each of these officers is a member of the NCAI board and serves a two-year term to begin Friday, October 18, 2013.

Two-term President Jefferson Keel will step down Friday, October 18th. President Keel honored NCAI with his leadership, elevated the role of the organization, and served tribal nations well. He remains a valued and respected leader within NCAI and throughout Indian Country.

National Congress of American Indians Elects New Executive Committee, Bids Farewell To President Jefferson Keel

 – Just days after President Obama joined the growing chorus of those calling for the Washington NFL Team to consider changing its name, the team’s leadership justified the use of their “Indian” mascot as a central part of the team’s “history and legacy.” A new report released today by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), titled 

Ending the Legacy Of Racism in Sports & the Era of Harmful “Indian” Sports Mascots

 also outlines the team’s ugly and racist legacy, while highlighting the harmful impact of negative stereotypes on Native peoples.

 details the position of NCAI, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization. The following is a statement released by NCAI’s Executive Director Jacqueline Pata along with the report: 

“The report NCAI has released today provides the history of an overwhelming movement to end the era of harmful “Indian” mascots – including the fact that Native peoples have fought these mascots since 1963 and no professional sports team has established a new ‘Indian’ mascot since 1964.

There is one thing that we can agree with the Washington football team about - the name ‘Redsk*ns’ is a reflection of the team’s legacy and history. Unfortunately, the team’s legacy and history is an ugly one, rooted in racism and discrimination, including the origins of the team’s name. It is becoming more and more obvious that the team’s legacy on racial equality is to remain on the wrong side of history for as long as possible.

The team’s original owner, George Preston Marshall, named the team the ‘Redsk*ns’ in 1932, just months before he led a 13-year league wide ban on African American players in the NFL. Nearly 30 years after the race-based name was chosen, Marshall was forced by the league to hire the team’s first black player in 1962. He was the last NFL owner to do so.

We’ve released this report and have a firm position on this issue because the welfare and future of our youth is at stake. We are working every day to ensure they are able to grow up and thrive in healthy, supportive communities. Removing these harmful mascots is just one part of our effort to encourage our children to achieve their greatest potential. We’re focused on their future; these mascots keep society focused on the negative stereotypes of the past.

NCAI calls on the NFL, other professional sports leagues, and all associated businesses to end the era of harmful ”Indian” mascots.”

The report details a range of issues: the harm stereotypes have on Native Youth and the overwhelming support for ending harmful mascots by organizations, tribal governments, the NCAA, high schools, community groups, and individuals. The report also reviews in depth the well-documented legacy of racism in the Washington football team’s history, including factual rebuttals to the Washington football team’s false claims that NCAI leadership at one point endorsed the use of the “Redsk*ns” mascot.

The report points to the fact that harmful “Indian” mascots exist while Native peoples remain targets of hate crime higher than any other groups, citing Department of Justice analysis that “American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence at the hands of someone of a different race.” The report also reviews in-depth studies that show the harm negative stereotypes and “Indian” sports mascots have on Native youth. The rate of suicide is highest for Native young people at 18 percent, twice the rate of the next highest of 8.4 percent among non-Hispanic white youth.

In the report, NCAI calls on the NFL, MLB, and NHL to address harmful mascots that profit from marketing harmful stereotypes, “Each of these professional sports businesses attempt to establish a story of honoring Native peoples through the names or mascots; however, each one—be it through logos or traditions — diminishes the place, status, and humanity of contemporary Native citizens. What is true about many of the brand origin stories is that team owners during the birth of these brands hoped to gain financially from mocking Native identity. As a result, these businesses perpetuated racial and political inequity. Those who have kept their logos and brands, continue to do so.”

NCAI Releases Report on History and Legacy of Washington’s Harmful “Indian” Sports Mascot

 - The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released the following statement regarding the budget impasse and the shutdown of the federal government.

“The failure to come to a budget agreement threatens the capacity of tribal governments to deliver basic governmental services to their citizens. The federal government has made treaty commitments to our people, and in return we ceded the vast lands that make up the United States. The immediate shutdown crisis poses very real threats to tribal governments and denies health, nutrition, and other basic services to the most vulnerable tribal citizens.

Even if the shutdown is resolved soon, a greater crisis remains – both the House and Senate versions of the Continuing Resolution sustained the devastating FY 2013 sequestration cuts. The sequester has deeply affected tribal programs: the Indian Health Service, Indian education funding streams, law enforcement, infrastructure programs such as housing and road maintenance, Head Start, and others. These funding commitments serve some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens and are part of the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribal nations.

As Washington faces the threefold crisis of the shutdown, sequester, and debt limit, we call on the Congress to reach a long-term budget deal that meets the nation’s obligations to tribal nations and Native peoples. It is time to address the ongoing fiscal crisis caused by the sequester. The trust responsibility to tribal nations is not a line item and tribal programs must be exempt from budget cuts in any budget deal.”


In September, NCAI released a paper outlining the impacts of sequestration on tribal nations - 

Tribes Urge Congress to Honor Treaty Promises and Stop Sequestration

Background on the impact of the government shutdown on tribal programs

In the 1995, 1996 shutdown, the impact on American Indian/other Native Americans was that all 13,500 Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) employees were furloughed; general assistance payments for basic needs to 53,000 BIA benefit recipients were delayed; and an estimated 25,000 American Indians did not receive timely payment of oil and gas royalties.

With respect to funding for governmental services, more than half of the federally recognized tribes are self-governance and provide services to their citizens through contracts and compacts. If the shutdown is not reversed soon, these tribes and their citizens will be hit particularly hard. Based on the contingency plans for the Departments of Interior and Health and Human Services, IHS would continue to provide direct clinical health care services as well as referrals for contracted services that cannot be provided through IHS clinics. However, IHS would be unable to provide funding to tribes and urban Indian health programs, and would not perform national policy development and issuance, oversight, and other functions, except those necessary to meet the immediate needs of the patients, medical staff, and medical facilities.

With BIA, programs are funded and operated in a highly decentralized manner, with 62 percent of appropriations provided directly to tribes and tribal organizations through grants, contracts, and compacts. Officials said that if tribes have carryover, they can spend it, but tribes won’t receive any new money during a shutdown to reimburse tribes providing those services. While the role of Indian Affairs has changed significantly in the last three decades in response to increased utilization of Indian self-governance and self-determination, tribes still look to Indian Affairs for a broad spectrum of services. Fortunately, law enforcement and detention centers will remain operational, as will social services to protect children and adults. Firefighting, emergency response, and water and power should remain. However, trust asset management, such as lease compliance and real estate transactions would not.

Examples of impacts to tribal governmental services and other assistance to tribal citizens include:

General assistance payments (BIA) to needy individuals and to vendors providing foster care and residential care for children and adults will stop, which will be difficult for many tribal communities. General assistance provides approximately $42 million for approximately 12,400 clients on a monthly basis. These clients include individuals and families whose income is below state standards and who do not qualify for state-operated programs. Provided that these individuals are facing some of the most difficult employment opportunities, the loss or delay of these payments truly impact the neediest in Indian Country. Generally, disbursement of tribal funds for tribal operations including responding to tribal government requests will be halted.

There will be no new funds to support the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). While there would be some inventory available for use in food packages, no carryover, contingency, or other funds are available to support continued operations. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) program is administered at the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. FDPIR is administered locally by either Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or an agency of a State government. Currently, there are approximately 276 tribes receiving benefits under the FDPIR through 100 ITOs and 5 State agencies. FDPIR provides USDA Foods to low-income households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. Average monthly participation for FY 2012 was 76,530 individuals.

The Administration for Children and Families would not continue quarterly formula grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care, Social Services Block Grant, Refugee Programs, Child Welfare Services and the Community Service Block Grant programs. Additionally new discretionary grants, including Head Start and social services programs, would not be made.

NCAI Urges Congress to Reach a Long-Term Budget Deal that Meets the Nation’s Obligations to Tribal Nations

. – For a third time in as many years, Indian Country advocates and leaders came together in Washington, DC with unified messages and policy priorities for the start of the fall session of Congress. Tribal Unity Impact Days has been instrumental in communicating the key Indian policy priorities for Congress to address. In recent years, the effort was critical to advocating for successful amendments to the Stafford Act and the Violence Against Women Act. This year tribal leaders stood together to remind Congress of the federal trust responsibility and that, amidst partisan division in other areas, Indian Country is common ground for all Americans.

NCAI joined the Alaska Federation of Natives, California Association of Tribal Governments, Coalition of Large Tribes, Eight Northern Pueblos Council, Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association, Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, Navajo Nation, and the United South and Eastern Tribes in hosting the events. This year, Tribal Unity focused on the protection of treaty promises in the federal budget, tribal tax policy, and land restoration – including a 

Tribal Unity Impact Days kicked off in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing room with over 130 attendees participating in the tribal briefing. Tribal leaders heard from Senators Begich (AK), Heitkamp (ND), and Tester (MT) and Representatives Becerra (CA), Cole (OK), McCollum (MN), Pearce (NM), and Ruiz (CA). Many Members thanked tribal leaders for their dedication in traveling to the nation’s capital to share how policy decisions are affecting tribal communities, especially impacts of sequestration on health, education, public safety, and other tribal governmental services. Representatives Cole and McCollum emphasized their support for protecting tribal treaty obligations from indiscriminate reductions. 

NCAI and its partners also sought broad support from Congress to assist in providing more fair treatment for tribal governments under the tax code. The Internal Revenue Code has included Indian tribes in a piecemeal fashion, which chooses when and where to acknowledge tribes’ taxing authority. Several tribal tax bills have been introduced during the 113th Congress: H.R. 2332; H.R. 3030; and H.R. 3042. Each of these bills is the result of effective outreach from tribal leadership on key tax issues affecting tribal self-governance. Tribal leaders asked Members to co-sponsor in the House, and encouraged Senators to introduce companion bills in the Senate. 

Tribes also urged Congress to reject the language similar to the Administration’s proposal to unfairly limit payment of contract support costs in the Continuing Resolution. If adopted by Congress, the provisions would set back Indian self-determination and self-governance decades. They would also undo four recent Supreme Court decisions confirming the United States’ obligation to pay the full amount of Contract Support Costs owed to Indian Tribes, by denying Tribes the right to recover damages under the Contract Disputes Act when full CSC payment is not made. 

Everyone was in agreement on the importance of protecting Indian land. President Keel ended his speech with “As our ancestors before us, we must rally to the defense of our land. We must fight for the land rights of all Tribes, including the overturning of 

 fix, and the advancement of the Patchak Patch. Only together can we protect our lands.” 

Tribal Unity Gathering Encourages Congress to Stand on Common Ground with Indian Country

Portland, Ore. and Washington, D.C.—The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and Angel Smith, an 

independent attorney appointed by the District Court of the Cherokee Nation and “Next Friend in the filing,”

are applauding today’s action by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya calling for state, federal, and tribal authorities in the United States to take all necessary measures to ensure that the well-being and human rights of Veronica Brown, the four-year-old Cherokee child at the center of a highly contentious custody dispute, are protected.

 today pointed out that the Indigenous rights are guaranteed by various international instruments subscribed to or endorsed by the United States, stating, “I urge the relevant authorities, as well as all parties involved in the custody dispute, to ensure the best interests of Veronica, fully taking into account her rights to maintain her cultural identity and to maintain relations with her indigenous family and people.”
NICWA, NCAI, and Smith, who had brought their concerns to the Special Rapporteur’s attention, hailed the announcement as corroboration of the concerns raised both in the 

 on behalf of Veronica in July and in ongoing legal matters in Oklahoma.

Among the possible human rights violations is the forced removal of Veronica from her Indian family and tribal nation without adequate protection or recognition of her right to culture. Such removal violates her right to culture, education, family, and tribal nation as guaranteed by Articles 7 and 8 of the 

U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

.

The executive directors of two leading national organizations, NICWA’s Terry Cross and NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata, called for the national conversation about the case to focus on Veronica’s human and civil rights.

“These rights are being violated by the failure of the courts to provide Veronica, her tribal nation, and her extended family with opportunities to be heard regarding her best interests,” said Cross. “What the U.N.’s involvement indicates is that we must all agree to turn our focus back to Veronica. When we do, it becomes disturbingly clear that the courts have utterly failed to protect what is guaranteed to her by international law and established treaties, best adoption practices, and in my opinion, basic tenets of decency. Her rights have been violated, pure and simple.”

“We commend the Special Rapporteur for engaging on this issue—it’s a vital step for protecting all Indigenous children throughout the world. It’s important to note that these are violations of international laws recognized and ratified by the United States long ago, not external forces weighing in on domestic laws,” said Pata. “Veronica, and all similarly situated Indian children, families, and tribal nations, have deeply felt interests in maintaining their individual and collective rights to family, culture, and community. These basic human rights, along with the fundamental principles of self-determination, non-discrimination, due process, and equality, must be protected.”

Smith agreed, stating, “Of course the facts of these matters are heart aching. Even so, it is important and required that when considering Veronica’s rights and protections to acknowledge that, as an Indigenous child, she holds the rights of continued connection to her family, her culture and community. It has been tragic that, in the media firestorm following this case the last two years, so little attention has been paid to Veronica’s basic human rights. These are rights and protections due her—due to Veronica—and are independent of any other individual involved in these matters. Veronica's rights and interests must be considered.”

Smith continued, “If she were any other child, in any other case, her present situation, needs, and rights would be considered and would have been part of the determination. Today, Veronica is a four-year-old little girl with her own view of her daily world and her own identity. She has her own words, and her own voice. It is time Veronica is heard because it is, after all, Veronica’s life.”

NICWA and NCAI Applaud United Nations’ Anaya for Calling on United States to Protect Veronica’s Human Rights

NCAI issued the following statement regarding 

 to no longer use the name of the Washington Football team: 

“The Washington football team’s name is harmful to Native people and dishonors the true historic and contemporary place of Native people and tribal nations in American society. Slate’s decision to join other reputable news outlets by dropping the R word is commendable and the action recognizes the derogatory origins and nature of the team’s name. It also raises the question as to whether Slate’s parent company the Washington Post will follow suit. We continue to call on all news and media outlets to drop the R word.”

NCAI Issues Statement Regarding Slate Decision to Drop the R Word

Washington, DC – Today, Friday, August 9th, Google Maps and the 

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will host

 their first ever Indigenous Mapping Day, a global “MapUp” intended to celebrate the 

United Nation's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

. The effort is a result of a partnership between the National Congress of American Indians and Google Maps, including Google Map Maker, Google Earth Outreach and the Google American Indian Network.

“Place is one of the most important values for Indigenous peoples – our place includes our sovereignty, our culture, our resources, and our ways of connecting with each other and other nations. This project is an exciting start to reclaiming and establishing our rightful place in the world. Our focus is to empower tribes and tribal citizens to actively participate in how tribal lands and communities are represented on Google Maps,” said Jacqueline Pata of NCAI, the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization in the United States.

A MapUp is a group of people that come together to edit Google Maps with the Google Map Maker tool. By sharing their local knowledge and expertise, MapUp participants help to make Google Maps more comprehensive and useful for others, and can ensure the map accurately reflects their local community. NCAI hosted a MapUp at the 2013 Mid Year Conference, providing the NCAI Youth Commission with training on this important tool. NCAI has established a set of guidelines for Indigenous Mapping Day to ensure tribes make informed decisions about how their community is represented on Google Maps.

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