 voting rights organizations’ an emergency restraining order restricting the United States Postal Service (USPS) from implementing its 

. If the order is lifted, the rule will have immediate effects in Indian Country, including new USPS requirements for outbound federal ballot mail complicating nontraditional tribal addressing systems, and exacerbating technological challenges posed by limited and unreliable internet access on Tribal lands, amongst others. USPS declined to engage in Tribal consultation pursuant to 

. It also declined to conduct a Tribal impact assessment of the rule’s implementation, as previously 

requested by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump

 blocked USPS from implementing Section 3 of 

, which governs voting by mail. On August 24, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a separate order in 

 blocking implementation of the executive order, finding that the challenge was premature because USPS had not yet issued its final rule. On August 26, the 

 injunction was vacated, allowing plaintiffs to amend their complaint following the USPS issuance of the final rule. The plaintiffs sought emergency relief, which remains in effect pending briefing on the preliminary injunction. A hearing has been set for September 3, 2026.

“American Indian and Alaska Native voters face chronic barriers to access the ballot box without additional last-minute, hasty changes to the federal transmission process,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. “Voting by mail ensures access to the polls and is the only feasible option in many rural Tribal communities, despite longstanding problems with USPS infrastructure and unreliable services. NCAI demands that the administration cease any changes to the existing processes. Creating significant confusion and administrative challenges will disenfranchise millions of voters, especially Native voters, ahead of the November election.”

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET, a three-part 

 will begin to bolster Native civic engagement, elevate voter rights information, and discuss timely issues affecting participation across Indian Country. The first webinar in the series, 

NCAI Native Civic Power Series: Sovereignty at the Ballot Box

will focus on recent issues that Native voters face to access the ballot box, how to mobilize the Native vote, and opportunities to participate in civic engagement prior to the November election. It will also provide practical information and resources for advocates to make their voices heard through civic engagement activities. 

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 Continues to Monitor Federal Court Order Restricting USPS Mail Ballot Rule Implementation Before November Elections

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund

 issue this joint statement to record our strong and unified position in support of the protection of the Section 106 process of the 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

 and the fulfillment of the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. The Section 106 process provides Tribal Nations with an important seat at the federal decision-making table, helping the federal government avoid harming cultural heritage sites and uphold its legal obligations while streamlining permitting. Doing so would help to avoid costly delays that can arise when these considerations are not taken into account from the beginning.

On July 24, 2026, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) voted 15-5, with two abstentions, to advance proposed revisions to the regulations implementing the Section 106 process at 

. Our organizations strongly oppose this rulemaking and believe it should not move forward in its current form. The proposed revisions are now undergoing executive branch review before being published as a proposed rule. As proposed, the revisions violate the United States’ trust and treaty obligations, exceed the boundaries of administrative authority, and attempt to alter responsibilities established by federal statute.

The Section 106 process reflects Congress’s recognition that federal agencies should understand the consequences of their decisions before historic and culturally significant places are damaged or lost. For Tribal Nations, the Section 106 process is inseparable from their inherent sovereignty, the unique legal and political relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States, and the trust and treaty obligations owed to Tribal Nations. It is for this reason that Congress included Tribal Nation-specific provisions within the NHPA. Federal decisions affecting sacred places, ancestral lands, burial places, traditional cultural places, cultural heritage, and cultural landscapes implicate these unique trust and treaty obligations and political relationships, which extend far beyond ordinary stakeholder engagement. Government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations must be understood within that distinct legal and political relationship.

The draft revisions improperly advanced by the ACHP raise significant and, in our view, illegal and disqualifying concerns about the Tribal consultation framework that these obligations and relationships require. The proposed revisions would significantly expand federal agency discretion over whether and how consultation with Tribal Nations occurs, including, for example, by narrowing when the Section 106 process is triggered for a “federal undertaking” and what qualifies as a “historic property.” The proposed revisions would also decrease the instances in which impacts on Tribal Nations’ cultural heritage are considered “effected” sufficient to trigger consideration of mitigation measures, and they would limit Tribal Nations’ participation in deciding on and carrying out mitigation measures. Conversely, these revisions would allow project applicants and other non-federal parties to assume a greater role in activities that are inherently federal functions, which are non-delegable. They would further shorten critical stages of the Section 106 process and attempt to limit judicial review.

Taken together, the ACHP’s proposed changes extend well beyond matters of regulatory procedure and raise broader questions about the implementation of responsibilities Congress established under the NHPA, including those of the ACHP, the National Park Service and other federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Nations, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and other participants responsible for implementing the law. The proposed changes also raise questions about the extent to which administrative revisions may alter authorities established by statute or assigned elsewhere within the federal historic preservation framework.

Additionally, although project applicants and contractors may appropriately assist federal agencies with administrative aspects of inherently federal functions, private parties are not owed trust and treaty obligations and do not share the government-to-government relationship with the United States as sovereign Tribal Nations do. The distinction between providing assistance with and input on the Section 106 process and exercising federal governmental responsibility is therefore critical. Federal obligations to Tribal Nations remain regardless of who is seeking approval for an undertaking.

While efficient and predictable federal decision-making is an important policy objective, meaningful Tribal consultation and the historic preservation review it supports are not sources of delay when implemented correctly. When conducted early, consultation with Tribal experts can identify conflicts before substantial resources are committed, allow projects to avoid culturally sensitive places, inform alternatives, and reduce the potential for disputes, litigation, and subsequent project delays. A process that appears administratively shorter may ultimately create greater uncertainty when concerns are not identified until after significant decisions and investments have been made.

The consequences are particularly significant because damage to historic and cultural heritage is irreversible. Once a sacred place is destroyed, ancestral remains are disturbed, or a cultural landscape is fundamentally altered, consultation after the fact cannot restore what has been lost. The Section 106 process provides a mechanism for considering those consequences 

We raise these concerns while acknowledging that the Section 106 process, as it exists today, is far from a perfect safeguard. In practice, the process can be unevenly applied and vulnerable to political pressure that too often favors project proponents and federal agencies over the Tribal Nations whose irreplaceable sacred places and cultural heritage are at stake. The Section 106 process does not always protect what it should, and for this reason it must not be weakened in the manner that the proposed revisions would allow. The United States must instead remain steadfast in supporting a clear, affirmative policy of protecting Tribal Nations’ sacred places, ancestral lands, and cultural heritage — protection that a procedural review mechanism like the Section 106 process can help support.

As federal policymakers continue to consider matters involving federal permitting, infrastructure, energy development, federal lands, and historic preservation, the current proposed changes to the Section 106 regulations raise important questions about the relationship between legislative action, administrative reform, and congressional intent. Central among them is whether the proposed changes to 

 remain consistent with the United States’ trust and treaty obligations and the text, structure, and purposes of the NHPA, as well as preserve the respective responsibilities Congress established within the federal historic preservation system.

The process by which these substantial changes to the Section 106 regulations were developed is also significant. ACHP members were provided roughly one week to review a nearly complete draft before the July 24 vote — without consultation with Tribal Nations — despite a more deliberative process having been contemplated earlier. Changes affecting a longstanding federal statutory framework and the federal government’s relationship with sovereign Tribal Nations warrant careful consideration and meaningful participation by, and consultation with, Tribal Nations.

For Tribal Nations, participation in this revision process cannot be reduced to ordinary public participation or stakeholder engagement through the Federal Register. Public comment and government-to-government Tribal consultation serve different purposes and fulfill different legal obligations. Consultation recognizes the sovereign status of Tribal Nations, the unique legal and political relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States, and the trust and treaty obligations owed to them. Any federal consideration of changes affecting that relationship or those obligations should preserve that distinction. Our organizations’ position is that the integrity of the Section 106 process rests on meaningful government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations; federal accountability for carrying out consultation obligations; recognition and protection of sacred places, traditional cultural properties, and cultural landscapes; respect for the statutory responsibilities established under the NHPA; and consideration of harm to historic and cultural heritage before it becomes irreversible.

We call upon members of Congress, federal agencies, preservation organizations, state governments, Tribal Nation leaders, and the American public to recognize that what Tribal Nations work to protect ultimately benefits us all, and that future generations depend upon the choices made today. For generations, Tribal Nations have fulfilled our traditional responsibility to protect the places that define who we are as Peoples. The federal government carries its own responsibility to honor its commitments, uphold its trust and treaty obligations, and engage Tribal Nations as sovereign partners. The Section 106 revisions advanced by the ACHP fail to fulfill that responsibility.

The current debate therefore extends beyond the merits of a single proposed regulation. It concerns the continued implementation of a statutory framework established by Congress in furtherance of the United States’ trust and treaty obligations and the balance between administrative efficiency, federal accountability, sovereignty retained by Tribal Nations, and the protection of places that cannot be replaced once they are lost. Our organizations stand united in this position. We will continue to work together, and with Tribal Nations across the country, to ensure that the Section 106 process is strengthened rather than weakened, and to advance a clear federal policy that protects Tribal Nations’ sacred places, ancestral lands, and cultural heritage while preserving meaningful government-to-government Tribal consultation and federal accountability.

As this rulemaking proceeds through executive branch review and toward publication in the Federal Register, the Association on American Indian Affairs, the National Congress of American Indians, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund will continue to make our position known, will mobilize Tribal Nations and allies to participate fully once the formal public comment period opens, and will pursue every avenue available to protect and mitigate harm to our shared cultural heritage. The future of the Section 106 process must be grounded in mutual respect, enforceable accountability, and genuine partnership, not administrative expediency or diminished protections.

About the National Congress of American Indians:

About the Association on American Indian Affairs:

The Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest national Native non-profit protecting sovereignty, preserving culture, educating youth and building capacity. The Association was formed in 1922 to change the destructive path of federal policy from assimilation, termination and allotment, to sovereignty, self-determination and self-sufficiency. Throughout its more than 100-year history, the Association has provided national advocacy on watershed issues that support sovereignty and culture, while working at a grassroots level with Native Nations to support the implementation of programs that support Native Peoples. 

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 

About United South and Eastern Tribes (USET):

Established in 1969, the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization serving 33 federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of Tribal Nations, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improving the quality of life for Indian people through a variety of technical and supportive programmatic services.

Joint Statement on Protecting Section 106 Process of NHPA

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) commends Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for today’s decisive action in signing 

 halting all new exploratory mining leases and operations within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. This historic directive safeguards one of the nation's most vital ecological, cultural, and economic landscapes from irreversible industrial damage.

NCAI recognizes the Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa — all signatories to the 1854 Treaty — for their unwavering leadership and commitment to protecting their ceded territory. For years, these Tribal Nations have stood alongside local communities, conservation advocates, and allied Tribal Nations to defend the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed from the threat of toxic runoff, habitat fragmentation, and acid mine drainage associated with sulfide-ore copper mining. Earlier this year, the three 1854 Tribes, along with the Red Lake Nation, entered into a historic cross-border agreement with the Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (formerly Lac La Croix First Nation) in Ontario, Canada, to work collaboratively to protect treaty-guaranteed resources within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. Today’s executive order honors the critical importance of treaty rights and acknowledges that this pristine ecosystem is far more valuable left intact than mined for short-term gain.

“The protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed is not just an environmental imperative; it is a fundamental defense of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. While this executive order provides crucial immediate relief, it also underscores the urgency for permanent congressional action,” said Larry Wright, Jr., Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians. Exploratory mining leads to large-scale extraction, threatening ancestral lands and the fragile ecosystem with heavy machinery and toxic chemicals. Any pollution from drilling would irreversibly damage both Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. This executive order prevents devastation and safeguards our clean drinking water, protects sacred cultural sites and treaty resources in the ceded territory, and ensures the continued strength of the regional outdoor economy.

“We commend the 1854 Tribes for fiercely defending their ceded territory and the critical resources within it,” said Lenny Fineday, General Counsel of the National Congress of American Indians. “Governor Walz has demonstrated meaningful leadership by listening to Tribal Nations, respecting Tribal stewardship, and recognizing the lasting consequences these activities could have for treaty-protected lands and resources. We extend our deepest appreciation to Chairman Carlos Hernandez, Chairman Bobby Deschampe, Chairman Bruce Savage, and all the 1854 Tribal leaders for their steadfast leadership and advocacy in this fight. NCAI stands with all Tribes and First Nations within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed and supports their efforts to secure permanent protections for these waters for generations to come.”

While this executive order is a significant step forward, NCAI remains focused on the ultimate goal: permanent federal protections for these lands, waters, and treaty-protected resources. NCAI supports the 1854 Tribes in their push for federal legislation that would permanently withdraw the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed from mineral leasing and development. Guided by 

, which calls for the protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, and treaty-protected rights, NCAI will continue advocating for federal action that respects Tribal sovereignty, fulfills treaty obligations, and permanently safeguards these critical headwaters for generations to come.

NCAI Applauds Historic Executive Order Protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed from Exploratory Mining 

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joins the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Indian Country in mourning the passing of Chairman Ellery “Ken” Choke.

Chairman Choke was a respected leader who placed his people and community at the center of his service. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to the sovereignty, well-being, and future of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, as well as a commitment to strengthening relationships throughout the South Sound region and across Indian Country.

“On behalf of NCAI, I extend our deepest condolences to Chairman Choke’s wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, the Nisqually Tribal Council, and the entire Nisqually community,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr., “Chairman Choke understood that Tribal leadership is grounded in service to one’s people. He carried that responsibility with dedication and advocated tirelessly for the rights, resources, and future of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Indian Country has lost a valued leader, and we stand with the Nisqually people as they honor his life and legacy.”

Chairman Choke’s advocacy reflected many of the principles at the heart of NCAI’s mission, including defending Tribal sovereignty, protecting treaty rights and natural resources, and holding the federal government accountable for fulfilling its trust and treaty responsibilities. Most recently, he brought the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s priorities directly to Congress, where he testified in support of federal legislation to restore Tribal ownership of the Clear Creek Hatchery. This effort was rooted in self-determination, stewardship, and the protection of the Tribe’s treaty-reserved fishing rights.

His community-first approach to leadership was especially evident in his commitment to the 2026 Paddle to Nisqually. His dedication to this gathering reflected his commitment to culture, connection, and future generations.

NCAI holds Chairman Choke’s family, loved ones, and the Nisqually Indian Tribe in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We honor his service, mourn his passing, and recognize the lasting impact of his leadership.

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 Nisqually Tribal Chairman Ellery "Ken" Choke

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) sent a letter to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael S. Selig formally requesting government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations before the Commission takes final action on its proposed amendments to Rule 40.11 concerning event contracts and prediction markets.

The proposed rule could have significant consequences for Tribal sovereignty, Tribal regulatory authority, Tribal-state gaming compacts, and the governmental revenues on which Tribal Nations rely on to provide essential services. NCAI has asked the Commission to suspend further action on the rule until meaningful consultation has occurred.

“Tribal Nations are sovereign governments, not private industry interested parties in a federal rulemaking process,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “A public comment period does not replace the federal government’s responsibility to engage Tribal Nations through meaningful, timely, and good-faith government-to-government consultation.”

In its letter, NCAI expressed concern that the CFTC has not conducted dedicated consultation with Tribal Nations regarding the proposed rule. NCAI emphasized that Executive Order 13175 requires federal agencies to obtain meaningful Tribal input when proposed actions may affect Tribal sovereignty, self-government, or economic interests.

The letter also underscores that Tribal gaming revenues fund health care, education, public safety, housing, infrastructure, elder services, emergency response, and cultural and language preservation. Any federal action that could affect these revenues is not simply a commercial matter—it directly affects the ability of Tribal governments to serve their citizens.

NCAI requested that the CFTC conduct formal consultation, evaluate the proposed rule’s Tribal implications, include consultation materials in the administrative record, and ensure that any final regulatory framework recognizes and preserves Tribal sovereignty and regulatory authority.

NCAI stands ready to work with Chairman Selig and Commission staff to establish an appropriate consultation process before any final rule is adopted.

NCAI encourages Tribal Nations to submit their own letters to the CFTC formally requesting government-to-government consultation in support of NCAI’s request and to strengthen the administrative record regarding this rulemaking. A template letter is available that Tribal Nations may use to submit the request to the CFTC. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact NCAI General Counsel Leonard Fineday at lfineday@ncai.org.

NCAI Sends Letter to CFTC Chairman Requesting Formal Tribal Consultation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As wildfires continue across the Pacific Northwest and Western U.S., the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) extends its deepest solidarity and support to the affected Tribal Nations and communities. Tribal Nations are facing evacuations, threats to and the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and hazardous air conditions. The fires have also caused significant risks to Tribal homelands, sacred sites, and natural landscapes that have shaped and sustained Native communities since time immemorial.

“Tribal Nations are once again on the front lines – protecting their citizens, homelands, sacred places, and surrounding communities under extraordinarily difficult conditions,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. “NCAI stands with every family who has been displaced, every community facing loss, and every responder working tirelessly to protect lives and lands. Federal and state agencies must act with urgency, coordinate directly with Tribal governments, and ensure that lifesaving resources and long-term recovery assistance reach affected communities without unnecessary barriers or delays.”

Tribal Nations and their citizens across the Pacific Northwest are among those facing the direct and immediate effects of these fires. Affected Tribal Nations include the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians Reservation, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. NCAI extends its deepest gratitude to Tribal fire crews, first responders, emergency personnel, volunteers, and Tribal leaders working to protect their communities and provide assistance under dangerous conditions.

Tribal Nations as sovereign governments are essential partners in emergency response and relief efforts. NCAI calls on federal and state agencies to coordinate directly with affected Tribal Nations and provide necessary emergency resources– including shelter, firefighting and prevention support, health services, infrastructure restoration, and long-term support and recovery assistance. Assistance should immediately be provided directly to Tribal Nations without unnecessary administrative burdens.

NCAI also recognizes the urgent needs of Tribal communities and encourages individuals, partner organizations, and allies to support Tribal-led relief efforts. Direct donations and other resources can help provide emergency supplies, shelter, food, and other resources needed to support communities affected by the fires.

The effects of these fires will continue for years after they are extinguished. NCAI remains committed to advocating for the Tribal and federal resources, partnerships, and assistance necessary to support Tribal communities in protecting their citizens, homelands, and cultural resources for generations to come.

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: 

https://yakama.com/programs/signal-peak-and-ransier-fire-updates/

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/TUN5ZX9Q8BYF4

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Wildfire Recovery Fund:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/the-confederated-tribes-of-the-warm-springs-reservation-of-oregon-ctws-wildfire-recovery-fund

American Red Cross – Washington Wildfires: 

https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/washington-wildfires-2026.html/?alloy_redirect=eyJ2IjoxLCJhZCI6IjY3NDQyNToxOjB8MiJ9

The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA NW)

collecting emergency supplies to support relatives and families affected by the recent wildfires, including several of NARA NW staff who have lost their homes or been displaced.

Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. at either of the following locations:

Gresham Outpatient, 355 NW Division St., Gresham, Oregon

RiverHouse Administration,211 SE Caruthers St., Portland, Oregon

For questions or assistance, call the NARA NW Disaster Relief Line: 971-710-3116.

NCAI Stands in Solidarity with Tribal Nations Affected by Devastating Western Wildfires

9th Annual State of Indian Nations Address Remarks by Jefferson Keel, President, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Thursday, January 27, 2011, 10:30 AM ET - Newseum, Knight Studios, Washington, DC

Introduction: Toward a More Perfect Union



My fellow tribal and American citizens, members of the National Congress of American Indians, members of the Administration and the 112th Congress of the United States, and those listening or watching today from around the country and the world: I stand here, honored, to deliver to you, the State of Indian Nations address.

After an exceptional year of bipartisan achievements to strengthen Indian Country, I am pleased to report that the state of Indian nations is strong, and driven by a new momentum.

We stand at the beginning of a new era for Indian Country, and for tribal relations with the United States.

Previous eras were defined by what the federal government chose to do: the Indian removal period when tribes were forcibly removed to reservations, the allotment era, the reorganization and termination of tribes, even the recent promise of the self-determination era.

But this new era is defined by what we, as Indian nations, choose to do for ourselves. I am honored to be joined this morning by many Indian leaders who have worked hard to prepare our nations for this moment. We are poised to be full partners in the American economy, and in America itself.

We expect that in years to come—in seven generations—our children’s children will look back and say, “This was the moment when the future of Indian Country changed forever.”

Call it the Era of Recognition. Call it the Era of Responsibilities Met, or of Promises Kept.

Whatever it is called, it brings us closer than ever to the true Constitutional relationship between the United States and Indian nations.

It brings us closer to what the Constitution calls a “more perfect union.”

Today, I issue an invitation—to tribal leaders, to Indian people, to our partners in Congress and the Administration, and to all Americans—to join together in building this new era.





Why is this new era possible only now, instead of before?

Recent years have brought a new foundation, the self-determination era has brought a promising partnership between tribes and the federal government. We have demonstrated our capacity as self-determined governments that contribute to a stronger America. We have worked hard to reach this point.

But that alone is not enough to realize the promise of this new era.

Barriers remain—and we are eager to work with our federal partners to remove those barriers to the economic potential of our nations.

There is another reason we are just now seeing this opportunity for a new era.

The state of the economy has played a role. These difficult times have made self-reliance into a necessity.

Today the country is entering more than a time of difficult budget choices. As the federal government contemplates fundamental changes in the priorities of government, Indian Country offers a bold opportunity.

Investing in self-reliant Indian nations is not only the Constitutional and morally right thing to do, Indian nations offer a great untapped source of economic opportunity for all Americans.

This is a great moment, when doing the right thing is also the smart to do.





I was encouraged when the House of Representatives read aloud the U.S. Constitution earlier this month. America’s founders recognized the inherent sovereignty of Indian tribes and the special relationship between tribes and the federal government, and they affirmed it by putting it into words in our Constitution.

Like all American people, we are afforded basic Constitutional rights. Moreover, we carry a special recognition, that tribes are inherently nations with in a nation, that tribes as stated in Article 1, Section 8, are in the company of “foreign nations” and “the several states.”

These basic rights, these inherent rights, are what we seek together to bring to all American people: “justice,…domestic tranquility,…general welfare, and…the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

The preamble to the Constitution speaks of a more perfect union. The new era for Indian nations is a profound step toward that more perfect union."





I stated earlier that there has been much progress to make this new era possible. I’d like to review some of those successes from 2010.

The passage and enactment of the Tribal Law and Order Act, and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act were monumental. We thank those on both sides of the aisle who crafted legislation that holds the promise of safer, healthier and more economically productive Native communities.

But this work is not complete. Words are one thing, but actions are another. We call for these initiatives to be fully funded and fully implemented.

We were encouraged by the recent settlements of the Cobell litigation over the mismanagement of Indian lands, and the Keepseagle settlement for discrimination against Indian farmers. Indian tribes have supported these overdue settlements because they will help us turn the page on the wrongs of the past and direct our energies toward securing a better future.

Finally, we welcome the United States’ adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This formally affirms our fundamental human rights. It is a great step forward in respect and recognition of Indigenous peoples throughout the world.

This very morning the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is visiting tribal nations to investigate the challenges facing tribal justice systems.

Together, these achievements set the stage for a new era in Indian Country. This is a moment of opportunity, and we must look to the future to realize its promise.



The resilience and spirit that carried our people to this day is what will carry us to our next great moment. Our cultures are resolute and diverse. We see every challenge as an opportunity.

Indian nations face great challenges, but we hold great unrealized potential.

High unemployment is new to most Americans, but Native people have felt it for decades, often four to five times the unemployment rate of the country as a whole. But at long last, this new era represents a way forward.

One opportunity for tribal nations is energy development. Our deep relationship to the land and our reverence for the earth’s natural resources provide a clear course for our communities.

Tribes care for approximately ten percent of America’s energy resources, including renewable energy, worth nearly a trillion dollars in revenue.

And yet, only a handful of tribes have been able to successfully utilize these resources. In fact the 49 bureaucratic steps that deter energy development on Indian lands stifled the ability of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota to access their considerable oil reserves, while oil rigs formed a ring outside reservation boundaries. It took direct action by the Interior Department to streamline this process for the Three Affiliated Tribes. We call on the Congress to apply this kind of concerted effort to unleash the potential of Indian energy resources throughout the nation.

Realizing the potential of energy resources offers immense promise for tribal communities, and the United States as a whole. To achieve the goals of energy independence and economic growth, the focus must turn to the potential in Indian Country.

Just last week, Energy Secretary Chu offered a promising jump-start to such investment. He announced $10 million in support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Indian Country.

Tribal energy development will mean long-term economic development, and in turn the United States will become stronger. That is an investment worth making.

This is a good development and it is part of the solution to realizing our potential, but it is not the entire answer.

On this and other issues, barriers stand in the way of progress for Indian Country and our entire nation.

Sometimes it’s bureaucracy. Sometimes it’s a lack of access to financing and federal programs. We call for tribes to receive the same treatment under the law as state and local governments on tax and financial matters. It is time for these barriers to be lifted.

The situation is similar for electronic communication, which is the backbone of the new information economy. Across the nation, broadband is available to 95 percent of Americans. But in tribal communities, it’s only 10 percent. Broadband is the pipeline to progress, and we need investment, but first we need an end to barriers that stand in the way of that investment.

As with energy, the result will be growth, jobs and opportunity—because our potential is already there. We’ve already seen what such investment can do. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation operate a telecommunications company that is using federal funds, plus grant and loan packages, to expand broadband. So far they are reaching 1,000 square miles of a reservation. They are connecting nearly 2000 people, 18 businesses and the tribal government, plus schools, health care facilities, and police and fire departments. This kind of investment is the foundation for progress throughout Indian Country.

Broadband is just one aspect of our infrastructure needs. In fact, there has never been sufficient federal or private investment to spur growth, or fund adequate services in this area.

There is also huge potential to invest in our youth. We seek investments in after school programs, quality education from pre-K through college, and job training programs. We have many bright students, yet many of our Indian schools lack the curriculum or proper tools that enable them to compete for scholarships and other opportunities.

Our Republican and Democratic partners in Congress and the Administration share a vision for a more effective education system in America, and we encourage them to start in Indian Country. Our children have been waiting for generations, and today is always a good day to begin.

These are some of the things that Congress can do to free the tribes to pursue self-reliance. There are other things to do, too—things that won’t cost a penny.

Our largest assets – tribal lands – remain fragmented and caught in a web of stifling BIA regulations and bureaucracy. Current trust policy is neither effective nor appropriate, and Congress must modernize the trust to reflect the role of tribes as decision-makers in the management of our own lands.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Carcieri is threatening the ability of many tribes to restore their lands and build economic development and jobs. This must be fixed.

With the Cobell settlement and the pending establishment of the Indian Land Consolidation Fund, the federal government has an opportunity to make foundational changes to the trust that will improve administration and further self-determination. We thank the Administration and Secretary Salazar for their leadership on these issues, but the work is not done.

We share the passion for self-reliance and more efficient government brought by many new members of Congress. In many instances, that is exactly what Native people need: a government that respects our Constitutional sovereignty, a government whose leaders want to cut the red tape that blocks investment and prevents us from participating fully in economic life. This new era must be characterized by equal treatment of tribal nations with other governments — the same rules, and the same opportunities for economic growth.

The federal trust responsibility does not have a political affiliation. At this momentous juncture, when a new era is rising, it is critical for Congress and the Administration to honor the special status of tribal nations – and our citizens – solemn promises made in treaties, executive orders, and acts of congress.

We urge Congress to sustain investments in tribal nations by holding Indian programs harmless and providing much needed funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, health care, job creation, and education. For the strength of our nations, and to achieve a more perfect union, now is not the time to step back from investments in tribal communities that hold promise for our entire nation.

The foundation is in place, but much work lies ahead. Tribal nations are united with our federal partners by the great ideals of democracy, equality and freedom.

There’s something else that unites us, too. This address would not be complete without acknowledging the service of nearly 24,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives in the American armed forces. In that alone, the state of Indian nations can be summed up in one word: proud.

As a veteran, I am keenly aware of this great commitment. Just as hundreds of thousands of other Indian people, I have stood for America as a citizen, I have stood for America as a brother on the field of battle, and I stand now as a warrior to defend the honor of our historic trust.

Since 2001, when our homeland was attacked, 77 of our people have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, and over 400 have been wounded. The bond between America and the Indian nations is not in doubt. We remain united, and in a new era we will build a more perfect union...together.



Toss a stone into the water and the ripples are felt far away.

In the same way, the decisions before us today will be felt in tribal life for seven generations, and beyond.

Tribal governments understand that Washington is entering more than a time of difficult budget choices. Congress and the Administration are contemplating fundamental changes in the priorities of government.

This is a challenge, but our nation-to-nation relationship presents a unique responsibility and great opportunity—and that is the gateway to a new era of opportunity and self-reliance.

Today we call on our federal partners to clear the way for us to expand economic opportunity through entrepreneurism, so that we might compete.

Clear the way for us to develop energy on our lands, build commerce and create jobs, so that we might contribute to the national economy, energy independence, and a larger recovery.

Clear the way for us to build public infrastructure for our communities, so that our children might thrive and our culture enrich all those around us.

Clear the way for us to build up our own communities.

When you invest in Indian Country, you will be astounded at the economic strength we bring to America. It is time to harness that power and realize the tremendous return on that investment.

The United States and Indian nations are partners and neighbors, bound by the Constitution, we are bound by our great and shared commitment to liberty—and that includes economic liberty.

The Indian nations can do the work—if the federal government will clear the way for us to exercise our liberty and thus make a new era and a more perfect union.

The opportunity of that new era depends on governing wisely today.

God bless America and the Indian nations as we make this great and promising journey together.

State of Indian Nations Address: “Sovereign Indian Nations at the Dawn of a New Era”

National Congress of American Indians Echoes Sentiment that U.S. adoption is “One of the most significant developments in international human rights law in decades”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 16, 2010 - President Obama announced that the United States will lend its support to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) today during the second annual Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C. Prior to this morning's announcement, the United States had been the lone holdout of the original four nations to vote against the adoption of the Declaration by the UN General Assembly in 2007; the other three (Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) have all since reversed their position.

“We echo the sentiment that this is one of the most significant developments in international human rights law in decades. The United States and the Obama Administration have done the right thing today by joining the rest of the world in affirming the inherit rights of Indigenous people,” said Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. “International human rights law now recognizes the collective and individual human rights of Indigenous peoples, including treaty rights, land rights, and the right of self-determination.”

In delivering his remarks to hundreds of tribal leaders gathered for the Tribal Nations Summit, President Obama was clear that the aspirations in the Declaration were ones that all Americans should vow to uphold. Immediately after he made his announcement of support, the President emphasized that "what matters far more than words...are actions to match those words."

The Declaration, for the first time, gives international recognition to the collective human rights of Indigenous peoples, including treaty rights, land rights, and, perhaps most importantly, the right of self-determination. The Declaration calls for the maintenance and protection of Native cultures, languages, and identities; the fulfillment of treaty obligations by nation states; the equal treatment of and end to discrimination against Indigenous peoples; and the rights of Native peoples to meaningfully participate in the decision-making process and to be consulted on all matters that concern them.

The importance of the Declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes is significant. While not legally binding in and of itself, it nevertheless performs the invaluable functions of gathering together in one document the basic rights of Indigenous peoples, educating the general public, and providing clear direction for those nation states endorsing the Declaration. The Declaration has considerable moral and political force and Indian nations will not hesitate to use the Declaration as the standard by which to measure the actions of the federal government.



About The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI):

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 promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org

President Obama Announces U.S. Support for United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

On eve of the White House Tribal Nations Summit, National Congress of American Indians hails the historic nature of direct meetings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 15, 2010 – President Obama met directly with 12 tribal leaders at the White House this afternoon. The meeting with the tribal leaders from 12 regions of the United States, comes the day before the President will host leaders from the 565 federally-recognized tribes during the White House Tribal Nations Summit, the second in as many years. The National Congress of American Indians is hailing the meeting as a substantial step in establishing a nation-to-nation relationship for the 21st Century.

“These meetings are summit level meetings between leaders of tribal nations and the President of the United States. They are both symbolic and substantive” said Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. “Last year’s summit was historic in size and ambition. We anticipate the results of the meetings with the President today and tomorrow will change the future of Indian Country for generations to come.”

The meeting comes on the eve of the second White House Tribal Nations Summit, in which the leaders of all 565 federally-recognized tribes were invited to meet with President Obama and members of his Administration throughout the day.

Tribal leaders and President Obama enter these meetings following one of the most significant years of bi-partisan accomplishments for Indian Country. Since the first Tribal Nations Summit, held by the Obama Administration in November of 2009, the United States government has taken historic steps, including: making permanent the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; signing into law the Tribal Law & Order Act; reaching agreement on USDA’s settlement of the long standing Keepseagle case; and, signing into law the Cobell Settlement, closing the chapter on over a century of government mismanagement of Indian assets.

Names of Leaders Who Met With The President on Wednesday:

Earl J. Barbry, Sr., Chairman, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

Cedric Black Eagle, Chairman, Crow Nation

Brian Cladoosby, Chairman, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Karen Diver, Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Brenda Edwards, Chairperson, Caddo Nation

Tex G. Hall, Chairman, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation: Three Affiliated Tribes

Gary Hayes, Chairman, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

John Red Eagle, Principal Chief, Osage Nation

Joe Shirley, Jr. , President, Navajo Nation

Robert H. Smith, Chairman, Pala Band of Mission Indians

Edward K. Thomas, President, Tlingit Haida Central Council

Mervin Wright, Jr., Chairman, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Nevada

President Obama Holds Direct Talks with American Indian Leaders at the White House

NCAI President Encouraged Heading into Second Obama White Tribal Nations Conference

President Obama signed into law today the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 which included the $3.4 billion Cobell Settlement and major tribal water settlements that have been at the forefront of Indian Country's legislative agenda.

"The President and the Congress have continued to exhibit a renewed determination to honor the federal trust responsibility to tribal nations and Indian people," said Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. "Today's ceremony is another concrete example of this administration's commitment to work with members of Congress to honor our historic, nation-to-nation relationship. Tribal leaders look forward to meeting with the President and his administration next week at the White House Tribal Nations Conference and continue building our vision for strengthening Indian Country."

The signing of the Cobell settlement, which resolves a long running class action litigation over mismanagement of Indian trust funds, comes one week prior to the President's Tribal Nations Conference, the second of his Administration. Leaders from the 565 federally recognized tribal nations have been invited by the White House, to the Tribal Nations Conference in Washington, D.C. on December 16, 2010.

The Cobell settlement also includes payment for resource mismanagement and funds for consolidation of fractionated lands. The case has been pending since 1996. In the last month, the Cobell Settlement moved forward rapidly in the Senate as budget neutral legislation, after lingering for the last year in both houses. Unresolved for fourteen years, the settlement was part of a number of historic measures included in the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. In addition to the Cobell Settlement, historic water settlements vital to Indian Country, totaling over $1 billion, were passed as part H.R. 4387. The water settlements involved the Crow Tribe, Taos Pueblo, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Aamodt Settlement including the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque.

More background information on the signing is available 

President Obama Signs Cobell Settlement, Closes Chapter on Historic Injustices

Tribal Water Rights Settlements also Headed to President for Signature into Federal Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 30, 2010 – In a historic vote today, the United States House of Representatives passed the $3.4 billion Cobell Settlement as part of 

, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. The Claims Resolution Act of 2010 now moves to President Obama’s desk for signature.

“The passage of the Cobell Settlement is a significant milestone in the history of American Indian relations with United States government,” said Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. “Not only does Cobell settle historic injustices through legal means, it starts the U.S. government on a course for meeting its obligations and making reservation lands more productive for future generations. We commend the bipartisan effort from members of the House and Senate who worked tirelessly to pass this legislation.”

The Cobell settlement resolves the long running class action litigation over mismanagement of Indian trust funds. It also includes payment for resource mismanagement and funds for consolidation of fractionated lands. The case has been pending since 1996.
In press releases, following statements on the House floor, both Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) and House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), outlined the importance of passing the Cobell Settlement as part of the Claims Resolutions Act of 2010.

"This legislation brings a fair and responsible resolution to the Cobell case and is a great bargain for American taxpayers,” said Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), Co-Chairman of the Native American Caucus. “The Cobell settlement helps correct a historic wrong and ensures that Native Americans enjoy the full benefit of tribal lands and resources. The bill is fully paid for and will save taxpayers millions in additional costly litigation.”

"These settlements have been reached in court, and now it is our job to ensure that the federal government lives up to its end of the bargain," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD). "I’m glad that this bill funds the Pigford and Cobell settlements without adding to the deficit; and I’m also glad that this bill can bring to a close an unfortunate chapter in our history."

In recent weeks, the Cobell Settlement moved forward rapidly in the Senate as budget neutral legislation, after lingering for the last year in both houses. Unresolved for fourteen years, the settlement was part of a number of historic measures included in the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. In addition to the Cobell Settlement, historic water settlements vital to Indian Country, totaling over $1 billion, were passed as part H.R. 4387. The water settlements involved the Crow Tribe, Taos Pueblo, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Aamodt Settlement including the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque.

Historic Cobell Settlement Passes U.S. House of Representatives

“One Step Closer to Settling Historical Injustice” says National Congress of American Indians

 – The United States Senate has passed the long awaited $3.4 billion Cobell Settlement brought by American Indian plaintiffs. Praising its passage, the leadership of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country, has called for a swift passage of Cobell in the House.

“The passage of the Cobell Settlement in the Senate brings tribal nations and the federal government one step closer to settling this historical injustice,” said Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians. “We urge the House to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for final signature. NCAI is also encouraged by the passage of several important tribal water settlements. Congratulations to Indian Country for these important steps forward.”

The National Congress of American Indians statement comes at the conclusion of the organization’s 67th Annual Convention held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During NCAI’s Convention the Obama Administration made history by announcing to tribal leaders the second Tribal Nations Summit to be hosted by the President. The Tribal Nations Summit will be held in Washington, D.C. on December 16, 2010.

Read the press release about the Tribal Nations Summit: 

NCAI Praises Passage of Cobell Settlement in U.S. Senate, Calls for Immediate Passage in House

Summit Set for December 16, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

 - The Obama Administration announced this week that President Barack Obama will host a second Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C. this December. The announcement, made by the White House’s Kimberly Teehee, Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, was delivered at the National Congress of American Indians’ (NCAI) 67th Annual Convention, the nation’s largest gathering of tribal leaders, governments, and communities.

“With the announcement of the second Tribal Nations Summit today, the Obama Administration reaffirmed that tribal governments are equal members in the family of American governments,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. “The federal trust relationship between the U.S. government and tribal nations is a non-partisan relationship. Our meetings with the executive branch have a long term focus of creating healthier and stronger tribal nations, to strengthen the entire nation.”

Since President Obama’s first Tribal Nations Summit in November of 2009, the federal government has increased the number and scope of tribal consultations, passed the Tribal Law and Order Act with bipartisan support, and made permanent the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2010, President Obama will host the White House Tribal Nations Summit. The Summit will include leaders from the 565 federally recognized tribes and give them an opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. Each federally recognized tribe will be invited to send one representative to the summit.

Obama Administration Announces Second Tribal Nations Summit during 67th Annual Convention

USDA to pay $760 million in damages and debt relief for discrimination against American Indian farmers and ranchers

Washington, D.C. – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is praising today’s settlement of the nationwide class action lawsuit (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) between American Indian farmers and ranchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The agreement settles 11 years of litigation regarding discrimination against American Indian farmers and ranchers in the USDA’s farm loan program.

"This settlement provides long awaited justice for American Indian farmers and ranchers who have only sought an equal opportunity to work hard and succeed,” said Jefferson Keel, the President of NCAI. “We are pleased that the court and the Obama Administration have taken tangible steps today to right a wrong reinforce the trust relationship between the United States and American Indian tribal nations.

The Keepseagle settlement agreement, announced today in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. before Judge Emmet Sullivan, orders USDA to pay $680 million in damages to thousands of Native American farmers and ranchers and to forgive up to $80 million worth of outstanding farm loan debt.

The settlement will also improve USDA’s farm loan services for Native Americans. Initiatives outlined in the settlement include the creation of a Native American Farmer and Rancher Council, which will enable Native Americans farmers and ranchers to collaborate with top USDA officials on greater and equitable access to USDA’s programs. Additionally USDA has agreed to work toward enhanced delivery of technical assistance to Native American borrowers, the creation of sub-offices on tribal lands, a systematic review of the farm loan program rules to improve accessibility to Native Americans and other measures designed to improve the provision of farm loan services to Native Americans.

Additional information about the Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement is available at 

 or by calling, toll free, 1-888-233-5506.

NCAI Calls Keepseagle Settlement between American Indian Farmers and USDA “Long Awaited Justice”

The Center website, http://tloa.ncai.org/, offers up-to-date news, events, documents and discussion forums to support tribes in implementing of the recently-passed Tribal Law and Order Act.

The Center website, http://tloa.ncai.org/, offers up-to-date news, events, documents and discussion forums to support tribes in implementing of the recently-passed Tribal Law and Order Act.
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association launched the Tribal Law and Order Resource Center.

Sign-up today to receive regular email updates on a wide range of Indian Country law enforcement and criminal justice issues. After signing up, users will have the unique ability to upload their own documents, news and events. In the coming months, NCAI and its partners will use the resource center to help track the progress of implementation and build a central resource for policymakers and criminal justice personnel to share challenges and promising practices that will strengthen Indian Country's justice systems.

NCAI Contact: Erik Stegman, NCAI Program Manager at 

NCAI Launches Tribal Law & Order Act Implementation Website

“Legal disagreements between governments require responsible leadership and diplomacy and not reckless calls for violence”- NCAI President Jefferson Keel

 – The oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country has condemned the recent statements of New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg and is calling on him to publicly apologize for his insensitive statements. Mayor Bloomberg used violent and racially charged language when he suggested that Governor Paterson get “a cowboy hat and a shotgun” to deal with an issue on the Seneca Nation reservation. 

“We understand that the State of New York and the Senecas are having a disagreement about tax policy, but legal disagreements between governments require responsible leadership and diplomacy and not reckless calls for violence,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, and the Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “It is insulting that a tribal government defending its legal rights today is threatened with the brutalities of the past. I have asked Mayor Bloomberg to apologize for his choice of words and to return the discourse to the level of civility that we all deserve.”

In a letter to Mayor Bloomberg, NCAI President Jefferson Keel formally requested a meeting with the Mayor. The letter outlined the organization’s position and expressed the importance of leaders embracing positive change and intergovernmental partnerships. The text of the letter is included below.

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

The National Congress of American Indians is the oldest and largest national organization advocating for the interests of tribal governments and American Indian and Alaska Native people. As President, I am writing to let you know how terribly disappointed we were with your suggestion that Governor Paterson get “a cowboy hat and a shotgun” to deal with an issue on the Seneca Nation reservation. I believe you owe an apology not only to Native people and the Seneca Nation, but also to the citizens of the United States for your statements.

The cowboys and Indians stories of the Wild West are a part of our history, but they are a dramatized and dishonorable part. They are propaganda and myths that were used to justify the westward expansion of the U.S. Military and settlers into tribal territories that were guaranteed by treaties. They were excuses for brutal massacres of Native American men, women, and children who stood in the way of Manifest Destiny.

It is particularly offensive that you revisited these derogatory stereotypes in a current dispute over tobacco taxes. The United States has turned away from its anti-Native past and today the treaties and rights of tribal governments are respected in the Nation’s courts, the White House, and the halls of Congress. The Seneca Nation is defending its right to govern its treaty-established territory and maintain a tax policy that promotes jobs and creates revenue. It is insulting that a tribal government defending its legal rights today is threatened with the brutalities of the past. We understand that the State of New York and the Seneca Nation are having a disagreement about tax policy, but legal disagreements between governments require responsible leadership and diplomacy and not reckless calls for violence.

I am requesting a meeting to discuss this with you in person. There is always an opportunity for leaders to embrace positive change and intergovernmental partnerships that benefit all of our citizens. I thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

President, National Congress of American Indians

NCAI Condemns Mayor Bloomberg’s “Cowboy Hat and a Shotgun” Statement, Calls for Public Apology

Enactment of Legislation Hailed as Historic and Will Empower Tribes to Make Communities Safer

Read the White House Blog: The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010: A Step Forward for Native Women

Read the article in the Washington Post about the Tribal Law and Order Act

Download the Tribal Law and Order Act Backgrounder (PDF 34k)

Watch "Rape on the Reservation" (video, Current TV)

View & Download NCAI Photos from the Tribal Law & Order Act signing ceremony

Washington, DC - President Barack Obama has signed into law historic legislation that will significantly enhance tribal law enforcement and the coordination of enforcement with United States Government.

“Today, by enacting the Tribal Law and Order Act, President Obama and the United States government reaffirmed its federal trust responsibility to work with tribal nations to strengthen our governments, our people and our communities,” said President Jefferson Keel of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). “We will use the tools in the Tribal Law and Order Act to crack down on crime and make our communities safer.”

NCAI President Jefferson Keel joined tribal leaders, federal officials, tribal and human rights advocates, and tribal law enforcement officers, as the President signed into law the Tribal Law and Order Act at a signing ceremony at the White House. The legislation was signed into law as part of the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendment Act of 2010.

Currently, Indian reservations nationwide face violent crime rates more than 2.5 times the national rate. Some reservations face more than 20 times the national rate of violence. More than 1 in 3 American Indian and Alaska Native women will be raped in their lifetimes, and 2 in 5 will face domestic or partner violence. The Department of Justice has also found that at least 86 per cent of rape and sexual assault perpetrators are non-Indian.

The Tribal Law and Order Act takes a comprehensive approach to address these shortfalls by establishing accountability measures for Federal agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting reservation crime, and by providing tribes with additional tools to combat crime locally. The Act provides law enforcement officials and tribes increased evidence sharing and federal declination data recording, access to national criminal history records, improved tribal court sentencing authority, and enables deputization of either federal or tribal agents as the situation requires.

Major provisions of the Tribal Law & Order Act include:

: Requires federal prosecutors to maintain data on criminal declinations in Indian country, and to share evidence to support prosecutions in tribal court.

: Increases tribal court sentencing authority from 1 to 3 years imprisonment where certain constitutional protections are met.

: Requires Federal officials who work in Indian country to testify about information gained in the scope of their duties to support a prosecution in tribal court.

Tribal Police Access to Criminal History Records

: Many tribal police have no access to criminal history records. The bill will provide tribal police greater access to criminal history databases that provide them with essential information when detaining or arresting a suspect.

Improves transparency in Public Safety spending by the BIA

, and requires greater consultation on the part of the BIA to tribal communities on matters affecting public safety and justice.

Increased sexual assault training and standardized protocols

 for handling sex crimes, interviewing witnesses, and handling evidence of domestic and sexual violence crimes in Indian country.

Increases recruitment and retention efforts for BIA and Tribal Police

Expands training opportunities for BIA and tribal police

 to receive training at State police academies, and tribal, state, and local colleges – where Federal law enforcement training standards are met.

Increases Deputizations of Tribal and State Police to Enforce Federal Law

: Enhances Special Law Enforcement Commission program to deputize officers to enforce federal laws on Indian lands.

Authorizes deputization of Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys 

to prosecute reservation crimes in Federal courts, and encourages Federal Courts to hold cases in Indian country.

Ahthorizes the Drug Enforcement Agency to deputize tribal police

: The bill will reauthorize and improve existing programs designed to strengthen tribal courts, police departments, and corrections centers – as well as programs to prevent and treat alcohol and substance abuse, and improve opportunities for at-risk Indian youth.

President Obama Signs Historic Tribal Law & Order Act Into Law

“This historic legislation is an opportunity for tribes and the federal government to work together to make our communities safer,” says NCAI President Jefferson Keel

July 21, 2010 - Washington, DC – President Jefferson Keel of the National Congress of American Indians released a statement praising today’s passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act by the House of Representatives as historic. The Act now heads to President Obama for his signature.

"This new law will set a standard of tough law enforcement in Indian Country. The primary function of all governments is to provide safety and security for their people, and tribal governments will use this law to elevate public safety in our communities,” said Keel, the President of NCAI, the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native Organization in the country.

“In a time when crime rates across the country have been going down, crime on Indian reservations has remained two to three times above the national average. This historic legislation is an opportunity for tribes and the federal government to work together to make our communities safer, and it supports the sovereignty of tribes to investigate and prosecute serious crimes on our lands,” stated Keel, who also serves as Lieutenant Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “We commend the members of Congress responsible for enacting this important legislation.”

With an overwhelming majority in the House and unanimous consent in the Senate, the Act will have wide reaching effects for law enforcement in Indian Country. In addition to enhancements for evidence and data sharing, the Act notably recognizes greater tribal court authority, including increasing maximum sentences from 1 to 3 years for major crimes. Tribal courts, detention centers, at-risk youth programs, and treatment programs are also strengthened by the act through reauthorization of existing programs.

“Law enforcement on tribal lands has long been hamstrung by a lack of resources and by restrictions placed by the Federal Government. The Tribal Law and Order Act is a significant step forward for tribal police – officers who serve their communities honorably and deserve the full authority to protect Indian Country just like any other state, county, or city in the nation,” added Keel.

The Tribal Law and Order Act, introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), expands the authority, access, and resources available to tribal police in a variety of ways: it allows for the deputization of tribal police to assist in drug raids and enforce federal laws on Indian lands; permits access to criminal history databases and records; and increases the efforts to recruit and retain tribal police. The Act passed the Senate on June 23, 2010, as part of H.R. 725, The Indian Arts and Crafts Amendment Act of 2010, a bill that would allow federal law enforcement officials to investigate the production and sale of counterfeit American Indian arts and crafts. The House passed H.R. 725 today with the Tribal Law and Order Act attached

Read H.R. 725, The Indian Arts and Crafts Amendment Act of 2010

Read the Congressional Record, including the House debate on HR 725 (.pdf)

See how your Representative voted on HR 725 (.pdf)

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