THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF
AMERICAN INDIANS
RESOLUTION #STP-00-027
Title: To Support and
Recognize National Indian Advisory Board on Alcohol Substance Abuse
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of
the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and
purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign
rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the
United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and
Constitution of the United States to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of
the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare
of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is
the oldest and largest national organization established in 1944 and comprised
of representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns;
and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and
employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are
primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and
WHEREAS, NCAI recognizes alcohol and substance use, misuse and
abuse as a fact that is more than a health problem, that it is a serious social,
education, law enforcement, tribal justice, domestic violence, and economic problem
and is recognized and accepted by NCAI; and
WHEREAS, it is known that American Indians and Alaska Natives
are suffering from devastating effects of alcohol and substance abuse, and domestic
violence in their communities undermining the sustain ability of their spirituality,
cultures, languages, community cohesiveness and intra-family strengthening and
nurturing in communities predominantly Indigenous; and
WHEREAS, in some instances, it is estimated that 98% of the child
abuse and neglect cases are related to alcohol and substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, the 1999 National Household Survey
on Drug Abuse shows a major decrease of alcohol and substance abuse among the
general population but an increase in prevalence among Native American population,
thus a major threat to the future of Indian children and youth; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Interior has neglected to include in
the President's budget request funding to adequately support grants directly to
tribes and implement tribal action plans.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby endorse the
mission of the National Indian Advisory Board on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention
(ASAP) and will support tribes in finding solutions designed to end the epidemic
of alcohol and drug abuse that occurs in Indian Country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NCAI does hereby request the Assistant
Secretary of Indian Affairs to request for special appropriations of no less than
$500 Million to be allocated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for direct
distribution to tribes with updated Tribal Action Plans and support for the National
Indian Advisory Board, Tribal Summits, and National Youth conference beginning
in FY2002; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the National Indian Advisory Board for
Alcohol and Substance Abuse be comprised of representation from each Region and
approved by Resolution from their federally-recognized tribe.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2000 Annual Session of the National
Congress of American Indians, held in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 12-17, 2000
with a quorum present.
______________________________
Susan Masten, President
ATTEST:
Juana Majel, Recording Secretary
Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2000 Annual Session of the National Congress of American
Indians, held in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 12-17, 2000.