Nurse-Midwifery Student Brittany Simplicio (Navajo) Receives Award

“Healthy Native children and families are essential to strong tribal nations,” said NCAI President Jefferson Keel. “We commend Ms. Simplicio for her commitment to strengthening the health of our nations’ youngest members and their mothers, and we look forward to assisting her in her professional development and her ongoing efforts to improve Native health as a nurse-midwife.”

Throughout her Master’s program, Ms. Simplicio has been devoted to serving Native communities. Her clinical rotations have largely been on the Navajo Nation, both at the Northern New Mexico Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico, and the Tsehootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Together with her mentor, Nicolle Gonzales, she is also spearheading efforts to establish a sustainable birth center in northern New Mexico that would serve Navajo, Pueblo, and Apache families and bring a traditional birth option back to the Native community. In addition, Ms. Simplicio mentors diverse high school students in preparing for higher education as a tutor at the College Enrichment and Outreach for College Readiness Program.

In its second year, NCAI's Native Graduate Health Fellowship is a part of NCAI's commitment to equipping the next generation of Native leaders. NCAI received nearly 40 applications from students representing 18 tribes. A review committee comprised of NCAI staff and key leaders in Native health selected the Fellow, as well as two finalists, on the basis of demonstrated commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native health, academic achievement, and community leadership. The program aims to build a pipeline of Native health professionals who can support tribal sovereignty and who are prepared to lead in promoting health policies and practices that address the unique needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

NCAI deeply appreciates the generous support of Robert Burnette and the Seventh Day Adventist Church in helping to sustain the fellowship. The Klamath Tribes, the Kiowa Tribe, the Ketchikan Indian Community, and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe also pledged a combined $4,000 to help sustain the Fellowship’s endowment. NCAI is planning to expand this Fellowship into other high-need areas in Indian Country, such as education and economic development. For more information about supporting the Fellowship, contact Peter Morris at (202) 466-7767 or 

Native American Midwife Student Awarded 2nd Annual NCAI Graduate Health Fellowship

Former NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata appeared on Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC on Sunday April 28, 2013 to discuss and contextualize the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

Jacqueline Pata on MSNBC Discusses History and Contemporary Context of ICWA

Washington, DC - NCAI and Indian Country converged on Washington, DC during the week of April 22, 2013 to engage the federal government in a constructive dialogue about the federal government's trust responsibility and federal budget obligations to tribal nations. The message was clear and firm - "Honor the Promises to Tribal Nations in the Federal Budget." In making the unified call, 

 outlining how deep sequestration cuts and proposed cuts to the FY 2014 budget would impact Indian Country.

Throughout a week of events this message and many more have been brought forward by tribal leaders and advocates. On Monday NCAI and seven regional tribal organizations hosted a Joint Tribal Budget Briefing on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday both the House and the Senate hosted hearings on the issue - the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on American Indian/Alaska Native Programs - and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on the FY2014 Budget's Impact on Indian Country. Tribal Interior Budget Council meetings were held Tuesday and Wednesday along with a tribal meeting Thursday on the changes proposed in the President's budget on contract support costs.

The week of events came two months after NCAI released its 

 and just two weeks after the Obama administration released its own FY 2014 Budget. In response to the Obama Budget, 

NCAI released the following analysis of the Administration's proposed budget

Joint Tribal Budget Briefing - NCAI & Seven Regional Tribal Organizations Brief Staff and Media

On Monday April 22, 2013 NCAI hosted a Joint Tribal Budget Briefing in partnership with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), California Association of Tribal Governments (CATG), Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), the Great Lake Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC), the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association (GPTCA), the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council (MWTLC), and the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET).

Ron Allen, NCAI's Treasurer and the Chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe opened the event as tribal leaders, congressional staffers, members of the media, and tribal advocates listened and participated in question and answer sessions. During the briefing NCAI announced the 

release of its budget paper - A Call to Honor the Promises

Tex Hall, former NCAI President and current Chairman of COLT and Chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota - sent a clear message about the direct impacts tribal nations are facing - especially the large land based tribes.

"Sequestration has hit us very hard. We have taken an almost 11% cut in just the last two quarters of this fiscal year," said Hall in 

. "As a result, the Oglala Sioux Tribe has lost over $3 million in direct service dollars from the BIA alone. The Yankton Sioux Tribe has had its medical contract health care referrals stopped altogether until further notice. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe are looking at the possibility of laying off police officers, and virtually all of us have seen additional limitations placed on our contract health care referrals. Today, schools throughout our reservations are all struggling to buy the supplies necessary to open in the fall. Some, at Pine Ridge, for example, are even photocopying outdated text books."

Fawn Sharp, President of ATNI and President of the Quinault Indian Nation also addressed the group. She shared howtribes are building economies but having to subsidize government functions. Sequester impacts are so compounding that it will take many generations to recover from this one period.

Robert McGhee, USET representative and Councilman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians shared that we live in a period of self-determination for Native peoples, reflected in a host of laws that support tribal sovereignty and are critical to the vitality and well-being of tribal communities. Regrettably, these laws are rarely funded to the level necessary to achieve their intended purposes.

Ed Johnstone of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) spoke about how tribes' treaties are at risk. Tribes are trustees for the natural resources, for tribal hunting and gathering, plants and animals, our fish, and everything that makes us whole. He lamented, "Tribes have 9 more years of this pressure, this reality. It's unimaginable."

Cathy Abramson, the Elected Councilwoman, Saulte Ste. Marie Chippewa Indians and NIHB Board Chairperson spoke about the critical impacts of underfunding that will result of IHS funding cuts.

"Pine Ridge has reported there have been a 100 suicide attempts in 110 days. Because of sequestration, they won't be able to hire two mental health providers. We just can't take any more cuts."

House Appropriations, Interior Subcommittee Hearing on Tribal Programs

The Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a two day hearing on American Indian and Alaska Native programs. The Subcommittee heard testimony from over 85 tribal witnesses in person. Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation testified as President of NCAI and as tribal co-chair of the Tribal Interior Budget Council. NCAI thanks and commends all the tribal leaders and advocates for all the work put into preparing testimony for this important hearing. The witness list can be 

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs - Budget Hearing - Obama FY2014 Budget's Impact on Indian Country 

Watch the replay of the hearing from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs' website.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2013 the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) encouraged the Administration to continue to invest in key programs for Indian Country, during a Committee oversight hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal.

The hearing - entitled "The President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget for Tribal Programs" - reviewed funding priorities for key tribal programs that provide healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety services to tribal members. The hearing occurred exactly two weeks after the Administration released its budget.

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman Cantwell discussed the federal trust responsibility to tribes.

"It's important in our discussions here today to acknowledge the unique legal obligations the federal government has towards Indian tribes. The trust responsibility is grounded in the United States Constitution, in treaties, in federal statutes, in Supreme Court decisions, so it's important that when we look at how we fund tribal programs, we understand that tribal programs are an acknowledgment of a government to government relationship that exists between tribes and the federal government."

Cantwell applauded the Administration's support for Indian health programs, energy development and public safety programs for tribal governments. Cantwell also expressed concerns about proposed budget cuts to tribal economic development programs. Eight of the ten poorest counties in the United States can be found in Indian Country and unemployment rates can be as high as 80 percent. Cantwell also expressed concern about the Administration's budget proposal to zero out investments for new school construction in Indian Country, even though half of the schools in the Bureau of Indian Education system are considered to be in poor or fair condition.

"For tribal communities to thrive now and into the future there must be economic development opportunities and workforce opportunities," said Cantwell at the hearing. "This year's budget request contains a decrease in economic development funding for Indian Country, despite a moderate increase in overall education funding, and it contains no funding for school construction."

In his opening remarks Senator Franken (D-MN) also addressed the challenges facing Indian schools affected by reductions in Indian school replacement funding.

"Despite the many schools that need to be rebuilt, this year, like last year, the President has requested that no funding go to rebuilding these schools. Leaving thousands of Indian children to stay in crumbling dangerous building, this is just simply unacceptable," said Senator Franken who had outlined deplorable conditions of Indian schools in Northern Minnesota and throughout Indian Country.

Franken continued, "How can we expect Indian children to succeed, Native communities to flourish under these conditions? We simply have to do better. I hope that my colleagues on this committee join me in pushing to restore funding for Indian school replacement."

As the Vice Chairman, Senator Barrasso (R-WY) provided his remarks emphasizing the current fiscal situation the federal government faces.

"This budget represents the Administration's policies with respect to funding for important programs for tribes and their members and addressing an unprecedented federal deficit. We need to examine and evaluate those policies very carefully. Due to proposed funding levels - do they reflect sound decisions in terms of the priorities and needs of Indian Country? - that's what we need. We need to know what the justifications are for funding certain programs more or less than others, and we need to see if the proposals reflect the need to use American tax dollars in the most effective, efficient, and accountable manner."

"In light of widely shared concerns about the federal deficit, all agencies are called upon to control spending," " continued Barrasso. "The agencies must also prioritize the use of funding as wisely as possible. Everything can't be a top priority when funding is insufficient to cover all the needs."

The Committee first heard from Administration officials: Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) who was accompanied by: Thomas D. Thompson, Deputy Assistant Secretary - Management, DOI, Monty Russell -Acting Director of Bureau of Indian Education, and Mike Black - Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, followed Assistant Secretary Washburn.

Assistant Secretary opened his testimony to the Committee asking for its support for the President's budget saying, "It's not a perfect budget; I know that there are parts of it that have not been well received. But it is better than a flat budget, it is an increase request for meeting our trust responsibilities in Indian Country and we hope that we get that increase because we desperately need that increase."

"The budget request is roughly $2.6 billion for Indian Affairs at DOI and it's about a $30 million increase over the prior FY 2012 budget and frankly because of sequestration its about a $171 million dollar increase over the budget I'm currently living under. I have to tell you that sequestration, as the Chairwoman recognized, has been absolutely brutal. It's not only impacted tribes very directly through their contracts with the federal government it's devastated our ability to provide services to tribes," added Washburn detailing the areas where DOI has had to cut back on services - including cutbacks in travel, training, personnel, and other areas.

Assistant Secretary Washburn spoke to and answered questions regarding funding shortfalls or underfunding of school construction funding for BIE schools in serious disrepair.

Dr. Roubideaux detailed the specific funding levels of IHS in the FY 2014 budget request, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) in her testimony. The committee put forward questions to Director Roubideaux regarding the underfunding of contract support costs.

The Committee also heard testimony from NCAI President Keel, along with Cathy Abramson, Chairperson, National Indian Health Board; John Sirois, Chairman - Business Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; and Mr. Lloyd Miller, Legal Counsel, National Tribal Contract Support Cost Coalition.

In his opening remarks, NCAI President Jefferson Keel sent a clear message to the SCIA - "As Congress develops the FY 2014 budget, we call on you to make investments in programs that fund trust and treaty obligations, support tribal self-determination, and promote economic recovery in Indian Country."(

"We have compiled specific recommendations in our written testimony that addresses many programs in the federal budget," said Keel."I want to share with you the very dangerous threats to Indian self-determination, tribal economies, and well-being due to the reductions from the current sequester and if the FY 14 appropriations bills don't address some of those impacts. This Committee knows well, but I must reiterate the point, that the sequester reductions and other cuts to tribal programs undermine Indian treaty rights and obligations - treaties which were ratified under the Constitution and considered the "supreme law of the land."

Keel continued, "Tribes deliver all the range of services that other governments provide. Federal funds provide much-needed investments in tribal physical, human, and environmental capital. For many tribes, a majority of tribal governmental services is financed by federal sources. Tribes lack parity in tax authority to raise revenue to deliver services. If federal funding is reduced sharply for state and local governments, they may choose between increasing their own taxes and spending for basic services or allowing their services to take the financial hit. Half of state and local government revenue is from their own taxes, while a quarter is federal. On the other hand, up to 60 and 80 percent of the revenue for tribal governmental services comes from federal sources."

Another topic that gained much attention throughout was the issue of contract support costs. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) in her opening remarks focused on concerns regarding contract support costs.

"Madam Chair, I just want to state for the record today how very disappointed I am with the Administration's decision to alter the operation of Indian self-determination contracts. Indian tribes fought and won a huge victory in the supreme court's Ramah decision, and rather than delivering justice to tribes in the adequate payment of contract support costs for the operation of federal Indian programs, the Administration, in my view, has decided to forgo justice and hand the issue over to Congress to address in the appropriations process --a decision that dramatically alters the federal Indian self-determination statute without consultation of the tribes nor this authorizing committee," said Murkowski.

The Alaska Senator added, "Self-determined contracts are the core of our nation's federal trust relationship with Indian tribes. Through thousands of contracts with BIA and IHS, tribes operate the federal programs promised to Indians for the removal of their lands. This is a federal responsibility that exists in strong budget times and, most importantly, in difficult budget times as well."

Regarding the Administration's proposal to short fund contract support costs and proposed statutory amendment-by-appropriation, seeking to cut off all future contract rights, Lloyd Miller told the Committee, "This is an outrageous and unwarranted overreaction by the Administration to another loss in the courts. But it is not surprising. For years the agencies have kept their heads in the sand about their contract obligations to the tribes."

"They have acted as if these contracts were just another program to be balanced against other programs or activities the agencies felt were important to prioritize, including protecting and growing their internal bureaucracies," continued Miller. "They have treated these self-determination contracts as second-class contracts, and the Indian tribes as second-class contractors. They would never behave in this fashion if an IHS hospital were contracted out to Sisters of Providence, or a BIA detention center were contracted out to the Corrections Corporation of America. Yet they find it perfectly acceptable to do so when the contract is with an Indian tribe."

The witnesses also described the severe impact sequestration is having on their tribal communities. Sequestration, which took effect on March 1, 2013, required across-the-board cuts at federal agencies. Tribal programs are being reduced at the Department of the Interior by $120 million and at the Indian Health Service by $220 million.

John Sirois, Chairman of the Business Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of Nespelem, Washington:"In the current budget climate, we believe that existing resources for economic development can be leveraged and maximized with more formal coordination between federal agencies," Sirois said. "Businesses are often hesitant to locate their operations on Indian lands because of the administrative burdens, both real and perceived, that accompany federal approval requirements applicable to many activities on Indian land."

Chairwoman Cantwell ended the hearing noting that, on the issue of contract support costs, "there are times I don't want to pay my Pepco bill. But that's not the luxury you get; you have to pay... So, it's the same -- it's a contract."

Indian Country Budget Week in Washington, DC "Uphold the Federal Trust Responsibility"

Expanded Native Financial Education Initiative beginning in April 2013, Financial Literacy Month

 In recognition of National Financial Literacy Month in April, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is announcing the expansion of its Native Financial Education Initiative, including support of the Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC) and targeting education activities with tribes across Indian Country. The announcement comes during Financial Literacy Month, established in 2004 to teach the general public practical financial skills and distribute useful financial tools. NCAI’s expanded financial education efforts are focused on strengthening financial education in Indian Country. 

“April is a time to bring a spotlight on the promising practices of tribes and Native organizations working to build financial capability in Native communities. We are learning through the partners of NFEC about exciting efforts in Indian Country. However, we all realize that more financial education must happen. Forty-two percent of our population is under the age of 25. More can always be done to help Native youth be financially successful. We encourage all of Indian Country to join these efforts as we celebrate National Financial Literacy Month this April,” said Sherry Salway Black Director of NCAI’s Partnership for Tribal Governance. “The NFEC efforts moving forward will help bring together Indian Country and share best practices for advancing our individual and institutional financial capabilities.”

The NFEC, originally started in 2000 through a Treasury Department initiative, is now being re-established initially as part of NCAI’s

Financial Education Initiative and with support and participation from partners. The NFEC is a working group of partners recognizing, expanding and enhancing the financial capability in Native communities. Partner organizations include tribes, tribal organizations, national, regional, local Native and non-Native organizations, financial institutions, federal agencies, and others interested in Native financial education.

During April, key activities of the Coalition will be to identify the many federal agency financial education activities, distribute a financial toolkit for tribal leaders, identify local events at the tribal and Native community level, identify best/promising practices, and engage tribal leaders. NFEC will provide updates throughout the month of April about local tribal centric events and trainings to foster community involvement.

NCAI’s Native Financial Education Initiative provides information for tribes and their citizens to enhance financial capabilities in Indian Country - including the work of the Native Financial Education Coalition, Financial Literacy Month (April), and NCAI's Protect Native Money Campaign and Tribal Exchange Stock Market Game. NCAI launched the “Protect Native Money” campaign in September 2012 following a number of large financial settlements in Indian Country to increase consumer financial protection in Indian Country.

More about NFEC and NCAI’s Native Financial Education initiative can be found at: 

http://www.ncai.org/initiatives/nativefinancial-ed

New Financial Education Tool Kit and Native Financial Education Coalition Effort

Concerning Cuts to Contract Support Costs and School Construction, Promising Signs of Commitment to the Trust Responsibility in Law Enforcement, Health, and Natural Resources

Washington, DC – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released an in-depth analysis of President Obama’s 2014 Budget Request. The organization is deeply concerned about proposed cuts that threaten recent progress in critical areas. The most concerning budget cuts include: unilateral reductions in contract support services – legally binding costs for services delivered by tribes in place of the federal government, education and school construction cuts, and reduced spending on low-income housing.

“We see signs of hope in the President’s proposal to replace the sequester and expand investments to enhance tribal law enforcement and strengthen the Indian Health Service but now is not time to slow the progress we have seen in Indian Country. The federal government must live up to its obligations in critical trust responsibility areas like contract support costs, education, and housing,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI. “We’ve experienced decades of the federal government falling short, and while we understand the limitations of the federal government, the federal trust responsibility to tribal nations and our peoples, is not a line item.”

NCAI and tribes have called for the sequester to be 

, since it threatens the trust responsibility and reduces portions of the budget that are not major contributors to the deficit. Promising signs in the President’s budget request, include the following actions to strengthen tribal nations:

 Increases for public safety initiatives in Department of Justice and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

 A small overall increase in the IHS budget and increases for IHS contract health services.

 An increase for Environmental Protection Agency’s General Assistance Program.

 $32 million in increases for natural resource programs in BIA.

 Language to provide a no-cost economic development and jobs creation solution for restoring land to tribal governments impacted by the 

 Supreme Court decision is included in the Department of Interior general provisions of the President’s budget.

NCAI will work to ensure that the federal programs that fulfill the trust responsibility to tribes receive bipartisan support in the appropriations process.

On April 10, the President released a $3.78 trillion budget for FY 2014, which would cut $1 trillion in spending and raise $800 billion in new revenue over the next ten years. This broadcast provides a preliminary analysis of the President’s FY 2014 budget request, highlighting impacts on funding for Indian programs. In the coming weeks, the President’s budget will be reviewed by Congress, and appropriations subcommittees will continue holding hearings on the proposals. In January of this year, NCAI released its

, which can be compared to the Administration’s budget.

NCAI Releases Analysis of Obama Administration Budget

Twenty-Four Briefs Call for Brown Family—Daughter, Veronica, and Father, Dusten—to Remain Together and Indian Child Welfare Act to Remain Intact

Brown Family, Who Have Prevailed in Every Court So Far, Will Have Fate Decided by the Supreme Court in a Case to be Heard on April 16th

—The United States federal government and 19 states are among a broad coalition who filed amicus briefs yesterday with the United States Supreme Court supporting the rights of Native American father Dusten Brown and his daughter, Veronica, to remain together as a family, calling for the nation’s highest court to uphold a previous South Carolina Supreme Court decision. The well-being of Veronica, the Brown family, and the importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a focus of all the briefs.

 to be heard by the Supreme Court on April 16, 2013, involves a South Carolina couple seeking review of a South Carolina Supreme Court ruling and attempting to force Dusten Brown, a member of the Cherokee Nation, to give his daughter Veronica up for adoption. Mr. Brown, who is now raising Veronica at their home in Oklahoma, has prevailed in every court that has considered this matter, including the South Carolina Family Court and the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Joining the U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli and 19 states, including 18 state attorneys general, are a large array of groups who submitted 24 separate briefs in all. The overwhelming support includes 17 former and current members of Congress; Casey Family Programs, the Children’s Defense Fund, and 16 other child welfare organizations; the American Civil Liberties Union; broad coalitions of psychology associations, child advocates, and legal experts; adult Native American adoptees; and tribal amicus briefs which include 333 American Indian tribes.

“The broad base of support in this case is historic. In the history of the work of the Tribal Supreme Court Project, no Indian law case has generated more of a unified message to the Supreme Court about Indian law,” said Richard Guest, staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), noting the outpouring of interest and support for Veronica, the Brown family, and ICWA.

Many of the briefs highlight the findings of the South Carolina Family Court, which found that “the birth father is a fit and proper person to have custody of his child” who “has convinced [the Court] of his unwavering love for this child,” and were upheld by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

The amicus brief of the United States federal government emphasized the importance of ICWA, stating that "the United States has a substantial interest in the case because Congress enacted ICWA in furtherance of 'the special relationship between the United States and the Indian tribes and their members and the Federal responsibility to Indian people.'" The brief further defends the constitutionality of ICWA, arguing that "ICWA, which is predicated on Congress's considered judgment that application of its protections serves the best interests of Indian children and protects vital interests of their parents and Tribes, does not violate any substantive due process protections." It concludes that "[t]he South Carolina courts properly awarded custody of Baby Girl to Father."

In the brief of leading national child welfare organizations, the best interest of the child is highlighted, in addition to the value of ICWA.

No one understands the human toll custody disputes can take more than 

, 18 child welfare organizations who have dedicated literally scores of years to the on-the-ground development and implementation of best practices and policies for child placement decision making. 

 have seen up close what works, and what does not. In 

’s collective judgment, ICWA works very well and, in fact, is a model for child welfare and placement decision making that should be extended to all children. Much forward progress in the child welfare area would be damaged by rolling the law back.

A brief from Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne was joined by attorneys general from 17 other states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin— and argued against interference in the relationship between states and tribes in matters regarding ICWA, asserting, “States and tribes have collaborated to ensure that the mandates and spirit of ICWA are fulfilled…. Early and complete compliance with ICWA ensures the security and stability of adoptive families as well as tribes and Indian families.” The State of Minnesota Department of Human Services also filed a brief.

Not one state submitted briefs in support of 

“This brief includes nine Republican and nine Democrat attorneys general,” said John Dossett, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) general counsel. “Party affiliation does not matter. The federal trust responsibility is a nonpartisan commitment, which includes support for the rights of American Indian families and tribal governments to protect their Indian children—and in this case, for a loving father to be with his daughter and for her to be with her family.”

Seventeen current and former members of Congress also reflected this bipartisan support, noting in their brief the circumstances that led to the enactment of ICWA in 1978, as well as asserting Congress’s exclusive power to legislate with respect to Indian tribes. It stated:

In 1978, Congress enacted ICWA in direct response to state adoption policies that were draining Indian tribes of their future citizens. Such practices threatened the very existence of Indian tribes. Without children to grow up as their citizens, tribes would be left with no one to speak their language, carry on their traditions and culture, or participate in their tribal governments…. Ultimately, any decision limiting Congress’s authority to pass legislation like ICWA…would effectively preclude Congress from exercising its plenary authority in Indian affairs, and render Congress unable to fulfill its historic duties as trustee to the Indian tribes.

Terry Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), commended former Senator James Abourezk for taking the lead on the brief, stating, “Senator Abourezk sponsored the bill that became ICWA because he recognized that the widespread removal of Indian children from their homes was a continuation of forced assimilation practices that had no place in our society. His leadership today sends an unmistakable message that there is unified support in defending his law from those who would return to the pre-ICWA era.”

Two national tribal amicus briefs were submitted. The first, focused on the legislative history and importance of ICWA, was submitted by the Association on American Indian Affairs, NCAI, and NICWA, who were joined by 30 Indian tribes and five Indian organizations. A second national tribal amicus brief addresses the constitutional issues raised by the petitioners and also includes 24 tribal nations and organizations. The members of the Tribal Supreme Court Project—NARF and NCAI—in partnership with NICWA, joined together to organize the briefs in support of the father. In all, 333 tribes submitted briefs in support of the father.

 will be held on April 16, with a decision expected shortly thereafter.

Amicus Brief of the State of Arizona and 17 States

Amicus Brief of the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services

Amicus Brief of Casey Family Programs and 17 Other Child Welfare Organizations

Amicus Brief of The Friends Committee on National Legislation, et al.

Amicus Brief of the Psychologists Associations

Amicus Brief of the American Civil Liberties Union

Amicus Brief of the Child Advocacy Clinic (GAL)

Amicus Brief of AAIA, NCAI, NICWA, et al. (Legislative History)

Amicus Brief of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, et al. (Constitutional Issues)

Amicus Brief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

Amicus Brief of the National Native American Bar Association

Amicus Brief of Adult Native American Adoptees

All of the briefs filed by supporters of Dusten Brown's right to raise his daughter can be found at: 

All filings for the case can be found at: 

More information about the case can be found at: 

Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl: Amicus Briefs in Support of Brown Family Include U.S. Solicitor General, 19 States, and Broad Coalition of Supporters

NCAI Members join President Obama and Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, and Advocates to Celebrate Passage of Protections for All Women

Native women, tribal leaders, women's rights advocates, and survivors of domestic abuse joined President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden today, along with members of Congress and the Obama Administration, to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Members of NCAI's Executive Committee joined in celebrating the tribal provisions of the bill enacted into law; President Jefferson Keel, 1st Vice President Juana Majel Dixon and Co-Chair of NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women, Secretary Ed Thomas, and Treasurer Ron Allen. Terri Henry, Co-Chair of NCAI's Task Force on Violence Against Women, was also in attendance.

Diane Millich, a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado, opened the event and introduced Vice President Biden, sharing her story which has been a focus of national media attention 

. Deborah Parker of the Tulalip Tribe of Washington, an active and prominent voice in the VAWA advocacy efforts alongside the NCAI Task Force, also stood on stage during the signing of VAWA.

"Indian Country has some of the highest rates of domestic abuse in America. And one of the reasons is that when Native American women are abused on tribal lands by an attacker who is not Native American, the attacker is immune from prosecution by tribal courts. Well, as soon as I sign this bill that ends," said President Barack Obama, moments before signing the bill. "Tribal governments have an inherent right to protect their people, and all women deserve the right to live free from fear. And that is what today is all about."

"Today represents a historic moment in the nation-to-nation relationships between tribes and the federal government. Now that the tribal provisions have been enacted and protection for all women reauthorized, justice can march forward,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI. “Local tribal authorities have much work to do to ensure that our citizens are protected from these violent crimes. NCAI has already begun focusing on coordinating the implementation of VAWA. Today is a great day, because it marks the beginning of justice and the end to injustice that has gone unanswered for too long."

In addition to programmatic support for Native survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, the law includes constitutionally sound tribal jurisdiction provisions authorizing tribal governments to prosecute non-Indian defendants involved in intimate relationships with Native women and who assault these victims on tribal land. Prior to the enactment of this law, federal laws did not authorize tribal law enforcement or tribal courts to pursue any form of prosecution or justice against these perpetrators.

The legislation was passed in late February by the 113th Congress. Bipartisan support of the Senate version of the legislation, S.47, and the tribal provisions, led to both chambers casting resounding votes of 286 - 138 in the House and 78-22 in the Senate. 

NCAI released statements of support upon the final House passage of the bill.

President Obama Signs Violence Against Women Act into Law

Senator Patty Murray, The National Taskforce to End Sexual and Domestic Violence; Andrew Lee; and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

Washington, D.C. – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has announced the recipients of the organization’s prestigious Indian Country Leadership Awards. Senator Patty Murray (D – WA), The National Taskforce to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Andrew Lee of the Seneca Nation, and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate will be honored at the organization’s Indian Country Leadership Award Banquet held this Tuesday March 5, 2013 in conjunction with NCAI’s 2013 Executive Council Winter Session.

The organization’s Indian Country Leadership Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations to Indian Country in four categories: Congressional Leadership Award, Native American Leadership Award, Governmental Leadership Award, and Public Sector Leadership Award.

As a champion for tribal sovereignty and Native women, Senator Patty Murray was instrumental in the recent passage of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. Senator Murray has advocated passionately for families and upheld her commitment to Indian Country by ensuring that life-saving assistance for victims of domestic violence extends to Native communities. Senator Murray is a key Indian Country partner in the Senate having served as the first female Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee during the 112th Congress and currently serving as the first female Chair of the Senate Budget Committee.

The National Taskforce to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women (“NTF”) is focused on the development, passage and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. NTF is a national coalition made up of thousands of civil rights organizations, labor unions, advocates for children and youth, anti-poverty groups, immigrant organizations, women’s rights leaders, faith organizations, education groups, and others. The Task Force stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Indian Country to secure the passage of a comprehensive Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization that provided safety and justice for Native women.

Andrew Lee (Seneca) has dedicated himself to advancing innovations that build a stronger future for Indian Country. He is currently Vice-President at Aetna and has also served as Chief-of-Staff to the President and Head of Aetna's Office of Public Policy. Before joining Aetna in 2005, Lee was Executive Director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, where he founded the Honoring Nations awards program. In 2011, Lee was the first American Indian named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is a Trustee of the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

Craig Fugate has served as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since May 2009. As a former state emergency management director, he has credibly emphasized the importance of intergovernmental collaboration with tribal nations. He has overseen a significant strengthening in FEMA-tribal relations, consistently advocating for our nation-to-nation relationship and instituting a FEMA Headquarters Office of Tribal Relations Liaison and appointing a tribal legal advisor in the FEMA Office of the Chief Counsel. He was the lead Administration champion for the amendments to the Stafford Act that were signed into law by President Obama in January 2013.

NCAI Announces 2013 Indian Country Leadership Awards;

NCAI Praises Passage of Protections for All Women; Tribal Courts Gain Jurisdiction over Non-Indian Domestic Violence Perpetrators

Bill represents major advance for public safety in Indian Country;
Legislation headed to President for Signature

Washington, DC – Today, in a historic vote the House of Representatives passed S.47, the Senate reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), sending the legislation with the tribal provisions supported by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law. NCAI is praising the efforts of the House and the Senate to reauthorize VAWA and the bipartisan support of the Senate version of the legislation in both chambers with resounding votes of 286 - 138 in the House and 78-22 vote in the Senate earlier this month.

“It is with a glad heart and soaring spirit that I celebrate the passage of VAWA. Today the drum of justice beats loud in Indian Country in celebration of the reauthorization of VAWA and we stand in unity with all of our partners and leaders who were unrelenting in support of protections for all women, including Native women,” said Juana Majel Dixon, First Vice President of NCAI, and co-chair of NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women. Juana Majel serves as a Traditional Councilwoman Pauma Band of Mission Indians located within the state of California. “500 plus days is too long to not have a bill for all women in America. For an unimaginable length of time those who have terrorized our women in our most sacred places, in our relationships, in our homes, and on our land, have gone unprosecuted. Now that time has come to an end and justice and security will flourish in these specific instances. We celebrate the protections for all women included in VAWA, including those for Immigrant and LGBT women,” added Juana Majel.

“With this authority, comes a serious responsibility and tribal courts will administer justice with the same level of impartiality that any defendant is afforded in state and federal courts,” said Jefferson Keel, the President of NCAI and Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, speaking about implementation of the new law. “We have strong tribal courts systems that protect public safety. The law respects tribal sovereignty, and also requires that our courts respect the due process rights of all defendants. My hope is that this new law is rarely used. Our goal isn’t to put people in jail. It is to create an effective deterrent so that our people can lead safe lives in our communities and nations.”

The constitutionally sound tribal jurisdiction provisions in VAWA authorize tribal governments to prosecute non-Indian defendants involved in intimate relationships with Native women and who assault these victims on tribal land. Current federal laws do not authorize tribal law enforcement or tribal courts to pursue any form of prosecution or justice against these perpetrators.

“There were at least five things that came together: an enormous grassroots effort from Indian country; the coalition of the National Task Force to End Domestic Violence; statistics so we could finally show the problem; steadfast leadership from the Department of Justice; and incredible support from so many Members of Congress both Republicans and Democrats,” said Terri Henry, Council Member at Eastern Cherokee and Co-Chair of the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women spoke of the large collective effort that led to the passage of the Senate version of VAWA. “We really want to thank everyone for their hard work. Now we are going to use this tool to protect Native women from violence.”

"Women and men - Native and non-Native, Senators and Representatives from all backgrounds, and tribal leaders from across Indian Country have all spoken that these injustices must not continue. We intend to keep speaking from our heart and with the law by our side," added NCAI’s First Vice President Juana Majel Dixon. "We are thankful that there are strong leaders in both the House and Senate that have stood for the protections of Native women, regardless of party politics.”

“Today marks not the end of our efforts at NCAI to combat domestic violence issues that Indian Country faces but an important step along the way. We will remain as dedicated as we have been since we began addressing this issue as an organization. There have been many members of Congress who have stood with tribal nations throughout this effort and they have stayed true to the constitution, to the trust responsibility, and to the truth that tribal nations are the best to address our situations at the local level. Today we advance the protections tribal nations can provide all people, Native and non-Native,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director of NCAI.

Findings show that 34% of American Indian and Alaska Native women will be raped in their lifetimes* and 39% of American Indian and Alaska Native women will be subjected to violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes**. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46% of people living on reservations in 2010 were non-Natives (single race) and 59% of American Indian women in 2010 were married to non-Native men***.

The NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women was established in 2000 and has been working for thirteen years to protect the lives of Native American women and create more secure tribal communities.

* Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Findings from the National Violence against Women Survey.

** Centers for Disease Control. (2008). Adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors associated with intimate partner violence.

House Passes Violence Against Women Act

Comments made by Iowa Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) about the tribal provisions of the Violence Against Women (VAWA) this week, are being labeled as “fear mongering” by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). In a letter to Senator Grassley NCAI ‘s Task Force on Violence Against Women called on the Senator to immediately retract his inflammatory claims made about the constitutional protections in the tribal provisions of VAWA.

, which surfaced on Thursday, Grassley made inaccurate comments about VAWA’s tribal provisions to a group of his constituents in Indianola, Iowa at a town hall meeting on Wednesday. NCAI 

 and sent Grassley the letter on Friday. Specifically, NCAI took issue with the senior Senator for mischaracterized the fairness of jury selection in the United States judicial system and tribal court system. The following is a transcript of Senator Grassley’s statement:

"One provision that non-Native Americans can be tried in tribal court. And why is that a big thing? Because of the constitutionality of it, for two reasons. One, you know how the law is, that if you have a jury, the jury is supposed to be a reflection of society. [...] So you get non-Indians, let me say to make it easy, you get non-Indians going into a reservation and violating a woman. They need to be prosecuted. They aren’t prosecuted. So the idea behind [VAWA] is we’ll try them in tribal court. 

But under the laws of our land, you got to have a jury that is a reflection of society as a whole, and on an Indian reservation, it’s going to be made up of Indians, right? So the non-Indian doesn’t get a fair trial.”

“Senator Grassley is wrong and it’s fear mongering at best. This video clearly shows the misinformed rhetoric and fear-based language being used by those who have an ill-conceived notion about the constitutionality of the tribal provisions, tribal courts, and the protections developed in VAWA to ensure victims and defendants are provided their constitutional rights. No American, Native Americans included, in pursuit of delivering justice for all should ever be denigrated in this way, it’s inexcusable,” said Juana Majel-Dixon, the First Vice President of NCAI and the Co-Chair of the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women. “This comment makes it seem that a few Republicans are spending more energy protecting the bad guys than focused on delivering justice to our communities and women, including Native Americans. Common sense Republicans in the Senate and House need to step forward and put an end to any misinformation efforts and pass VAWA as passed overwhelmingly by the Senate.”

Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director of NCAI also addressed the Senator’s comments.

“The fact is, as Senator Grassley acknowledged, there is a serious problem with this issue of non-Natives coming on to tribal land and getting away with a crime, and something needs to be done to stop it. Yet, when the Senator had a chance to do so, he failed to vote with the 78 members of the Senate, Republicans and Democrats, who supported the constitutionally sound provisions of VAWA. These stubborn views are in the minority and they are holding America back from moving ahead,” concluded Pata.

In the letter to Senator Grassley, NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women outlined the details of the tribal provisions as outlined in the Senate bill, S.47, and addresses the concerns over the comments:

“This statement is an inaccurate portrayal on two levels. From a legislative approach, it ignores the clear language in the Senate-passed bill, drafted by the Department of Justice, which mandates that fair and impartial juries be made available in these cases and that all juries not exclude any cross-section of the community, including non-Indians. This clear language shows that to the degree you had any constitutional concerns about the fairness of the jury selection process, proponents of the bill, along with the Department of Justice, have had the same concerns and address it with this language. Further, this language is directly in line with the general rule that jury pools will be selected in a manner that represent a fair cross-section of the community in which the crime was committed and the court convenes. In some instances, off the reservation, this might mean an Indian defendant is tried by a predominantly all-white jury. The law recognizes that this may be the case, but places confidence that each citizen’s dedication to his or her civic duties will prevail over any bias or unjust motivations.

This leads to the second concern, that this statement generally mischaracterizes tribal peoples as unable to administer justice in a fair and balanced manner like their non-Indian counterparts. In other words, it presupposes that simply because there is a non-Indian in a tribal court, and an all-Indian jury or predominantly Indian jury, the court proceedings would inevitably result in an unfair trial. Or, more simply, Indian jurors would not be able to look objectively at the facts of the case, the testimony of the witnesses, and the brevity of the outcome on the defendant’s liberty, and make fair and impartial judgments on the matter.

As you know Senator, the United States is an extremely diverse land, and every tribal citizen is also a citizen of the United States that is familiar with our courts of justice, tribal and non-tribal alike, as well as our Nation’s overall founding principles of liberty. Our school systems teach the same history lessons, and our laws and understandings of justice generally mirror the state and federal system. As Indian people, we raise our children to be honorable and respectful in their actions, and to state that a tribal juror, carrying out his or her civic duties to their respective tribal government, would in some way lack the capacity to administer justice in a manner equitable to a non-Indian juror is simply offensive and not true. Many, if not all, Indian tribes refer to themselves in their own language as ‘People’ – not Indians. This concept of our underlying humanity has always been strong in tribal cultures, and tribal citizens are very capable of objective review of any matter in tribal court.

For these reasons, we respectfully ask that you retract these damaging statements and acknowledge that tribal jurors are U.S. citizens as well, and fully capable of administering justice in a fair and balanced manner. Thank you for your time and consideration of this very sensitive issue.“

NCAI Responds to Senator Grassley’s Video Comments on VAWA Tribal Provisions – “Fear Mongering” Must End

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) opposes the House proposed VAWA legislation filed today. As a member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women (NTF) we stand with our partners and do not accept the language that’s been offered.

This legislation lacks necessary protections for victims of violence and rolls back current law and disregards significant bipartisan efforts in the Senate on the tribal provisions.

“The inclusion of the tribal provisions in a House VAWA is long overdue and let’s be clear, the new House language is not even close to the Senate bill which passed with bipartisan support last week 78-22. And actually, in some areas the House language rolls back existing laws that protect Native women,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director of NCAI. “NCAI supports efforts to move the House legislation closer to the inclusive, bipartisan Senate-passed bill.”

NCAI’s initial review of the proposed language exposes significant areas where the proposed House VAWA tribal provisions represent a major step backward.

For example, under the proposed Section 204 (e), a tribal court could only issue a protection order against a non-Indian if they successfully navigated the Attorney General certification process under the proposed 204 (b), and then only if the non-Indian defendant met the requirements for the ‘special domestic violence jurisdiction.’ In other words, the defendant would need to have established significant ties to the reservation, such as by living or working on the reservation.

Prior to this proposal, the 2000 VAWA Reauthorization made it clear that every tribe had full civil jurisdiction to issue and enforce civil protection orders against all persons, Indian and non-Indian. This roll back of current law is extremely troubling since, as far as a tribe’s authority prior to passage of this VAWA bill, it is the only protection a tribal government can provide to its women victims of domestic violence against all perpetrators of domestic violence, stalking or harassment.

Also, in reference to other significant changes from the strong bipartisan Senate-passed S. 47, the newly proposed House legislation provides non-Indian defendants with numerous options to evade justice in tribal courts, such as a limitation on tribal court sentencing authority (any crime prosecuted under this proposed legislation would be limited to a year sentencing), a process for interlocutory appeal and direct review of the final verdict, as well as an added provision subjecting “every person” involved in carrying out this special jurisdiction to a civil action for deprivation of rights (there is an immunity included for tribal officials which is akin to the public officials immunity under 42 U.S.C. 1983). This last example was included, despite the fact that tribal officials are already subject to Federal Tort Claims Act jurisdiction.

These added provisions will do much to interfere with tribal justice systems, and will do little for Native victims of violence. In short, the House proposed VAWA legislation filed today seems to go the distance in considering the rights and privileges of domestic abusers that would be subject to a tribal court’s ‘special domestic violence jurisdiction,’ but does not provide Native victims of violence the necessary protections they need for swift and fair justice in Indian country.

NCAI Opposes New House VAWA Legislation; Bill Represents Step Back on Tribal Provisions

In State of Indian Nations Address Jefferson Keel calls for greater partnership in federal trust relationship

NCAI releases "Securing our Futures" report with a focus on the contributions of tribal nations to the American economy

Washington, DC - In a national speech addressing the current state of tribal nations, Jefferson Keel President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), outlined in the State of Indian Nations Address, a course for securing tribal communities, nations, and the future prosperity of both tribes and America.

In remarks delivered to members of Congress, tribal leaders and citizens, and government officials broadcast nationally via a live web cast and radio, Keel covered a range of critical topics central to both tribal nations and federal, state and local government. In his remarks Keel called for increased efforts to work together to address violence against women, the federal budget sequestration, immigration, land and energy issues, and economic development (

). The Congressional Response was delivered by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, who was recently appointed the new Chairwoman for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and represents 29 tribes and almost 165,000 Native people.

The State of Indian Nations comes just two days after President Obama delivered the State of the Union and two days after the Senate overwhelmingly passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with key tribal provisions to protect Native women. In the major address Keel specifically called on the House to pass a comprehensive bill and send the legislation to the President's desk immediately.

"Congress must allow tribes, like all governments, to protect their own people and surrounding communities, from brutality. So if we believe that a Native woman's life is worth the same as every other woman's, if we believe that justice should not stop at the border of a reservation, if we believe that tribes are truly sovereign, then it's time for the House of Representatives to step up, put partisan politics aside, and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act with expanded protections for all victims of violence," said Keel in the address. (

Keel also announced the release of NCAI's new report "

" which highlights ways in which tribe are exercising and strengthening their sovereignty today (

"Today, NCAI is releasing a report called Securing Our Futures. It shows areas where tribes are exercising their sovereignty right now, diversifying their revenue base, and bringing economic success to their nations and surrounding communities. The path to securing our future-from education to food security, climate change to workforce development-is illuminated by the proven success of tribal nations. While the circumstances of each tribal nation are unique, the promising practices contained in the report offer a way forward to secure tribal economies and sustain prosperity for future generations."

Senator Maria Cantwell (WA), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs delivered the Congressional Response (

Keel concluded the speech by highlighting the foundation for the trust relationship between tribal nations and the federal government, specifically referring to the constitutional place of tribal nations as members of the American family of governments.

"These are the same principles that formed our treaties, and why our Constitution acknowledges tribes as equal, sovereign governments. Today, you can see that sovereignty in action in tribal courts, in the classrooms of tribal colleges, and in tribal businesses all over the world.

This is the task at hand, to move together toward a more perfect union. To strengthen our trust relationship with the United States. From Washington to Kennedy, Reagan to Obama, tribal nations have worked with the United States to uphold this promise.

That trust, ultimately, is the principle that must guide us-all of us-as we go forward and do right by all of our children and grandchildren.

And when we do, we'll always be able to say, that the State of Indian Nations is strong, and the future prosperity of America is secure," Keel said in concluding the State of Indian Nations Address.

NCAI President Outlines Course for Securing the Future of Tribal Nations and America

Recent Senate votes on VAWA indicate clear support for constitutionality of local tribal authority

Washington, DC - In a 78–22 vote today, the Senate passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with a net gain of ten votes since last year’s vote on the comprehensive S.1925 VAWA reauthorization. Now with support of more than three-quarters of the Senate, the VAWA legislation heads to the House of Representatives and includes Title IX; the constitutionally sound tribal jurisdiction provisions authorizing tribal governments to prosecute non-Indian defendants involved in intimate relationships with Native women and who assault these victims on tribal land. Current federal laws do not authorize tribal law enforcement or tribal courts to pursue any form of prosecution or justice against these perpetrators.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is calling the recent votes on VAWA, including today’s bipartisan vote, a clear indication of agreement that the tribal provisions are constitutional, and equally as important, that a final VAWA must provide local tribal authorities the ability to pursue justice for Native women and protect local communities. On Monday the Senate defeated the constitutionality question by striking down an amendment offered by Senator Tom Coburn (OK) to strip the tribal provisions entirely from the bill.

“Today’s passage of the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate, and previous votes to defeat harmful amendments to the bill, sends a clear message to the House that a strong VAWA bill with the tribal provisions must be passed immediately. There is no reason for further delay. This is violence that cuts deep into the hearts of our community. Addressing violence against any women, including Native women, is a priority of all Americans, and the safety of both Native and non-Native communities should not be marginalized,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, from NCAI’s offices in Washington, DC.

“We look forward to members from both parties coming together to deliver real policy solutions that solve a problem, that if left unaddressed, would leave Native women and local communities in peril. Nothing could be more unimaginable or reprehensible,” Keel concluded.

The legislation heads to the House of Representatives now and while progress on the bill stalled last year, NCAI and its partners remain optimistic and encouraged that a strong VAWA Reauthorization with the tribal provisions will be passed.

“Women and men – Native and non-Native, Senators and Representatives from all backgrounds, and tribal leaders from across Indian Country have all spoken that these injustices must not continue. We intend to keep speaking from our heart and with the law by our side until a comprehensive VAWA is passed. And with the tribal provisions included,” added Juana Majel-Dixon, 1st Vice President of NCAI and the Co-chair of the organization’s Task Force on Violence Against Women. “We are thankful that there are strong leaders in both the House and Senate that have stood for the protections of Native women, regardless of party politics. Native women and our surrounding communities need justice not more obstructions to it – the only obstacle standing in the way is politics.”

News Archive

Who We Are

Our Work

News & Events

Resources

Get Involved

Contractor Opportunities