On Indigenous Peoples Day, the National Congress of American Indians honors the strength, resilience, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples across generations.

We honor the histories, cultures, languages, traditions, and sacrifices that have shaped Indian Country and sustained Tribal communities since time immemorial. We recognize that Tribal Nations are not relics of the past, but sovereign governments exercising their inherent rights, strengthening their communities, protecting their lands and cultures, and shaping the future of this country.

“Indigenous Peoples Day reminds us that recognizing Native peoples must extend beyond acknowledgment – it must be reflected in the policies, decisions, and institutions that shape our communities,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. “At NCAI, our work is rooted in advancing policies that respect Tribal sovereignty and treaty and trust obligations while ensuring that Native voices are heard where decisions are being made. When Tribal Nations have a meaningful voice in shaping policy, we strengthen not only Indian Country, but the future we are building together.”

Indigenous Peoples Day is also a time to look forward. Across Indian Country, Native leaders, youth, families, artists, educators, advocates, and innovators are carrying forward the knowledge of their ancestors while building stronger futures for generations yet to come. This day also reminds us that what is good for Indian Country is good for everyone. When Tribal Nations thrive, their contributions strengthen economies, protect shared natural resources, and help build a better future for all.

Today and every day, NCAI remains committed to advancing Tribal sovereignty, protecting treaty and trust obligations, advocating for policies that uphold the rights and priorities of Tribal Nations, and amplifying Native voices at every level of government.

Honor the history. Recognize the sovereignty. Celebrate the future.

NCAI Honors Indigenous Peoples Day: Honor the History. Recognize the Sovereignty. Celebrate the Future.

NCAI joined Tribal organizations across Indian Country in calling on Congress to withdraw Title III of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), which would significantly weaken protections under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Section 106 is a critical tool for ensuring Tribal Nations have a meaningful voice in federal decisions that may affect sacred sites, historic properties, cultural resources, and places of profound cultural and spiritual significance.

The proposed changes would narrow when Section 106 review is required, reduce Tribal participation in key federal decisions, impose inappropriate federal oversight on Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and limit Tribal Nations’ ability to seek judicial review.

Tribal Nations should not have to choose between infrastructure development and the protection of their cultural heritage. Early, robust, and meaningful Tribal consultation can lead to stronger projects, faster decision-making, and more durable outcomes.

NCAI and our partners urge Congress to withdraw this language and work directly with Tribal Nations to develop permitting reforms that respect Tribal sovereignty, fulfill federal trust and treaty obligations, and protect sacred places for future generations.

NCAI Joined Tribal Organizations Across Indian Country in calling on Congress to Withdraw Title III of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA)

 — Today the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona represented by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) 

, a case currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the federal government’s planned construction of a border wall through the Tohono O’odham Nation’s reservation in Arizona.

The brief represents Tribal voices in Arizona and across Indian Country that are alarmed by the federal government’s trespass on the Tohono O’odham Nation’s reservation and are opposed to this unlawful infringement on Tribal sovereignty.

“Tribal Nations were sovereign long before the formation of the United States, and today we continue to exercise sovereignty over our lands,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “The administration’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for the sovereignty of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Indian Country stands with the Nation as it seeks to hold the federal government accountable.”

“Tribal Nations have a unique relationship with the federal government. Part of this relationship imposes a duty on the United States to steward and protect Tribal Nations’ land bases. The federal government’s actions on the Tohono O’odham Nation’s reservation are a dereliction of the duties the United States owes to Tribal Nations,” said NARF Staff Attorney Mitchell Forbes.

The amicus brief details the many instances where Tribal Nations have successfully sued trespassers in order to protect their lands from illegal encroachment and the unique role of the United States in protecting Tribal homelands — which makes the federal government’s trespass on Tohono O’odham land especially alarming.

“Historically, the courts have recognized that trespass claims are essential in protecting Tribal lands and interests and maintaining Tribal sovereignty,” said NARF Attorney Joel West Williams. “This filing shows that Tribal Nations are again unified in defending their lands from invasion and protecting their sacred places from haphazard destruction.”

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 Native American Rights Fund (NARF):


NARF is a non-profit 501c(3) organization dedicated to defending and asserting the legal rights of Native Americans. Since 1970, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has provided specialized legal assistance to Tribal Nations, organizations, and individuals nationwide on the most important issues to Native Americans. In hundreds of major court cases, legislation and inter-governmental agreements, NARF has achieved significant results in critical areas such as Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resource protection, voting rights, and Indian education. Like us 

 to learn about the latest fights to promote justice for Native Americans.

Tribal Nations Oppose Federal Government’s Trespass in Border Wall Case

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) welcomed the opportunity for Tribal leaders to engage directly with senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) during a Tribal Leader Roundtable focused on public safety, justice, and the resilience of Tribal communities.

Convened by DOJ, Tribal leaders assembled for a direct, candid discussion about the public safety challenges facing Tribal Nations and the federal government’s responsibility to support strong Tribal justice systems. NCAI’s long-standing relationship with DOJ helped facilitate this dialogue and reflects the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement between Tribal Nations and the federal government.

“Public safety is foundational to sovereignty. Tribal Nations must have the authority, resources, and partnerships necessary to protect our people and keep our communities safe,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “We appreciate the Department of Justice for bringing Tribal leaders to the table for a direct conversation about what is working, where there are gaps, and what needs to change. Tribal leaders must always be part of developing solutions that affect the safety, sovereignty, and well-being of our communities.”

For Tribal Nations, public safety and justice encompass far more than just law enforcement. Effective community safety relies on strong Tribal governments, fully resourced justice systems, the ability to exercise inherent Tribal jurisdiction, and meaningful partnerships with federal, state, and local governments.

The roundtable highlighted several issues that remain critical to improving the quality and resilience of public safety and justice systems in Indian Country, including:

 Ensuring Tribal Nations have the authority and capacity to exercise jurisdiction and protect their citizens and communities.

Tribal law enforcement and justice infrastructure:

 Providing adequate resources for Tribal police departments, courts, detention and corrections systems, prosecutors, victim services, and other components of Tribal justice systems.

 Improving coordination among Tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement while ensuring federal agencies meet their public safety responsibilities to Indian Country.

 Strengthening responses to domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, violence against children, and other crimes that disproportionately affect Native communities.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP):

 Improving investigative coordination, information sharing, case resolution, and support for families and communities affected by the MMIP crisis.

Access to critical information and technology:

 Expanding Tribal access to criminal justice information systems and tools that enable Tribal governments to better protect their communities.

 Supporting Tribally led approaches that strengthen families and communities and address the conditions that contribute to violence and victimization.

“Tribal Nations have always understood that community safety is rooted in strong families, strong communities, and strong governments,” said Macarro. “Our justice systems must have the resources and authority to effectively serve our communities, and our federal partners must recognize that Tribal leaders are essential to developing solutions that work in Indian Country.”

NCAI appreciates the Department of Justice’s willingness to engage directly with Tribal leaders and remains committed to strengthening the government-to-government partnerships necessary to advance public safety and justice throughout Indian Country.

NCAI Statement on DOJ Tribal Leader Roundtable on Public Safety and Justice in Indian Country

View the 2026 Annual Policy Resolutions in Progress at the link below. The resolutions will be further updated throughout the Annual Convention. 

For more information about the Policy Resolutions process, please visit the 

2026 Annual Policy Resolutions in Progress 

NCAI resolutions are one of the policy mechanisms used to express the organizational positions on Tribal, federal, state, and/or local legislation, litigation, and policy matters that affect Tribal governments or communities. 

All of NCAI’s advocacy work is guided by the 

. Only Individual Indian members in good standing with NCAI may submit a resolution for consideration.

Policy resolutions are now being accepted for the 2026 Annual Convention. To prepare your submission, please download the Resolutions template 

. You may submit resolutions through our online portal 

The deadline to submit resolutions is Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Please read the instructions in the form before beginning your submission. For more information, please visit the NCAI Resolutions webpage 

Please note that this portal is not for Tribal Delegate Resolutions, which should be emailed to 

Policy Resolutions: Now Accepting Submissions for NCAI’s 2026 Annual Convention & Marketplace

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2026 — 

During Monday’s Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) private, invitation-only roundtable, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), and other regional Tribal organizations reiterated that sports-event contracts offered by prediction market platforms are illegal gaming and cannot evade federal, state, and Tribal gaming laws simply by being mislabeled financial products. These organizations furthermore emphasized three principles that must guide the CFTC’s work going forward.

First, sports-event contracts are illegal gaming. 

A sports wager does not become a lawful financial instrument simply because it is called an “event contract.” The CFTC’s own regulations prohibit event contracts involving gaming and activities that are unlawful under state or federal law. IGA has also previously stated that sports-event contracts violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and the federal Wire Act and are being offered in disregard of state gaming laws and Tribal sovereignty. Calling sports betting a “prediction market” does not change what it is: gaming.

Second, federal decisions affecting Tribal gaming and sovereignty require meaningful government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations. 

These issues directly implicate IGRA, Tribal-state compacts, Tribal regulatory authority, and the sovereign interests of Tribal governments. Indian Country must be consulted before federal policy is developed or implemented, not simply asked to respond after decisions have been made. Meeting with Tribal organizations, though appreciated, does not constitute consultation with Tribal Nations.

Third, Monday’s roundtable must mark the beginning of deeper engagement with Indian Country. 

A single roundtable cannot resolve the substantial legal, sovereignty, regulatory, and economic questions raised by prediction markets. NCAI and IGA expect continued dialogue and formal consultation as CFTC considers any rulemaking, guidance, enforcement policy, or other action involving sports-event contracts and gaming.

“While we acknowledge the effort that Chairman Selig took to convene Monday’s discussion, to be candid: a roundtable is not consultation. What Tribal Nations require — and what federal law mandates — is government-to-government consultation, not a listening session. The roundtable fell well short of that standard. Tribal Nations deserve a seat at the table when policies directly impact their sovereignty, jurisdiction, economies, and abilities to provide critical services to Tribal citizens.”

Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Z. Bean said, 

“The CFTC roundtable will go down as a missed opportunity for constructive dialogue with Tribal Nations. The CFTC would not explain how sports betting became legal across the country, simply because a prediction market calls it an event contract. These products are gaming, and where they are being offered outside federal, state, and Tribal gaming law, they are illegal gaming. The CFTC must enforce the law as written and work directly with Tribal Nations before moving forward with policies that could undermine IGRA and Tribal-state compacts.”

Although not a participant in Monday’s roundtable

, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued a statement in support of Tribal leaders' position, saying, 

"Prediction markets offer sports gambling without following our laws, expressly flouting the authority of States and Tribes alike. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Tribes and a bipartisan coalition of States in opposing the lawless conduct of prediction markets and protecting our residents from the threat their business model poses."

NCAI and IGA said they will continue engaging with the CFTC and other federal officials to ensure that existing gaming laws are enforced, Tribal sovereignty is respected, and Tribal Nations are fully consulted on federal actions affecting Indian gaming.

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 of American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information, visit 

The Indian Gaming Association is a 501(C)(6) non-profit association representing Tribal Nations across the country. The mission of IGA is to protect Tribal sovereignty and foster Tribal economic development and self-sufficiency.

NCAI and IGA: Sports Event Contracts Are Illegal Gaming, CFTC Must Continue Consultation with Tribal Nations

Native youth — your voice matters! Are you ready to lead, represent, and uplift Native youth across Indian Country?

We are now accepting applications for all NCAI Youth Commission (NCAI-YC) officer positions. Elections will take place during the 

 in Palm Springs, California, October 18–22, 2026.

Be a citizen of a Tribal Nation that holds NCAI Tribal Nation Membership

Step forward, make your voice heard, and help shape the future of Native youth leadership!

Please share this opportunity with eligible Tribal youth and your networks.

For application information or questions, contact Alison Black, NCAI Youth Leadership & Training Coordinator, at 

has been extended to September 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Call for NCAI Youth Commission Candidates 

 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

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is now accepting breakout session proposals for the 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace, taking place October 18–22, 2026, in Palm Springs, California.

We invite Tribal leaders, policy experts, researchers, community advocates, and organizations to submit proposals for breakout sessions exploring pressing issues, innovative practices, and policy solutions affecting Indian Country.

Breakout sessions will be held on (subject to change):

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. PT

Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. PT

Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT

Sessions are 90 minutes in length and may include panels, roundtables, workshops, trainings, and Federal government consultations or listening sessions. 

Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Call for Proposals | Breakout Sessions for NCAI 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace

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 

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 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) 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

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) congratulates Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, on his confirmation by the United States Senate to serve as Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS).

“Director Cruz assumes this important responsibility at a critical time for Tribal Nations and Native communities,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “We congratulate him on his confirmation and look forward to working together to ensure the federal government fully upholds its trust and treaty obligations and provides American Indian and Alaska Native people with the quality health care they deserve.”

The federal government has a trust and treaty responsibility to provide healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native people, yet chronic underfunding, workforce shortages, aging facilities, barriers to care, and persistent health disparities continue to affect Native families and communities across Indian Country.

As Director, Cruz will lead IHS during a pivotal period and will have an important opportunity to strengthen the agency’s partnerships with Tribal Nations, improve health care access and delivery, support the recruitment and retention of health professionals, and address long standing health care infrastructure needs.

NCAI looks forward to working with Director Cruz, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and Tribal leaders to advance Tribal self-determination and self-governance in health care, strengthen IHS accountability, and ensure that Tribal Nations guide the development of federal policies and programs affecting their citizens.

NCAI Congratulates Mark Cruz on Confirmation as Director of the Indian Health Service

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

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