The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released the following statement in support of the First Nations of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) efforts to hold the Canadian government accountable to its commitment to consultation.

On Friday January 11, 2013, AFN will host a meeting of a delegation coordinated by AFN and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and members of his Cabinet. The meeting comes after AFN and First Nations have called for improved nation-to-nation consultations following legislation passed by the Canadian Parliament in December 2012, Bill C-45; 

. AFN and First Nations expressed opposition prior to and following the passage of Bill C-45, which fails to respect the Treaties and rights of First Nations.

“NCAI supports AFN and the rights of Canada’s First Nations to nation-to-nation consultation and calls on the Canadian Government to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which Canada and the United States have both adopted. As stated in the Declaration, and has been proven time and time again, consultations between indigenous peoples including tribal nations and the governments of North America, are essential to crafting a vision for a shared future,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, the United States’ oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization.

“We stand united as the tribal nations of North America, as a family of first peoples and first governments of this land, and we stand united to protect our rights. There may be a border separating Canada and the United States, however as first Nations of North America we are not separate, and we will not be divided. And nor should we be divided in our nation-to-nation relationships,” continued Keel.

“Tribal nations of the United States have recently engaged in extensive and improved nation-to-nation consultations as a result of the Obama Administration’s commitment to upholding the U.S. President’s Executive Order on Consultation. These consultations have resulted in strong tribal nations, and a stronger America. We look forward to hearing from AFN the results of tomorrow’s discussions with Prime Minister Steven Harper and the Canadian Government. We stand ready to support AFN and the First Nations of Canada as they take important action to protect the rights, lands, and resources of First Nations and people,” Keel concluded.

NCAI Statement of Support for Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Rights of Canada’s First Nations to Consultation

First round of Cobell settlement checks scheduled this week

On Monday the Indian Trust Settlement Administrator began issuing checks for the Cobell settlement to an estimated 400,000 American Indians who are Individual Indian Money (IIM) account holders. In an effort to raise awareness about the possibility of fraud and scams targeting these account holders the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released a Public Service Announcements (PSA) for radio stations as part of the organization’s 

“This settlement can benefit you, your family and your communities, but we must all be aware of the potential negative impacts. You or others may be a target for scams,” says NCAI’s Jefferson Keel in the radio PSA being distributed to Native American radio stations throughout the United States (click here to download). “Dishonest people know about the settlement and are figuring ways to take money from you. Be aware and be watchful. If you suspect a scam, you can contact your State’s Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection or your tribe.”

Keel and NCAI is also encouraging Native people to become educated and visit the organization’s site full of information on the issue at 

. NCAI has also developed an “alert” with information for tribes to provide to their members (download here).

Keel closes the PSA by saying, “Remember, it’s your money, it’s Native money. Let’s keep it that way for generations to come.”

NCAI outlines specific ways in which recipients may be targeted. Individuals in these circumstances usually get mail, phone calls, and email with ideas for how to spend the money. For example, individuals or their family might get offers for new or used vehicles, credit card or loan offers, rent-to-own “deals”, or an advance on the money. The organization is encouraging individuals to determine how to save or spend their money, and to be wary of scams that encourage people to “Act Now!”, make big promises, offer no risk, or tell people to “keep it secret” referring to the offer.

NCAI says the best way to protect Native money is to make a plan, “take your time” when deciding how to spend the money”, ask questions, and talk to someone your trust.

 settlement payments, being made by the Indian Trust Settlement Administrator, will be distributed in two payments with the first being the $1,000 to everyone in the class. These payments are expected to be mailed on Monday December 17, 2012. The remaining payments will go out within six months of the first payment. $1.5 billion is slated for individuals in these initial payouts. $1.9 billion will go to repurchase fractionated interests over the next 10 years. A major number of the recipients are in Montana, North and South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

NCAI has also learned that the court will issue an order this week appointing a "special master" to oversee the distribution of the funds with a focus on efforts to locate all eligible beneficiaries. Efforts will be made to reach out to tribes to help locate members who may be eligible but who may need to update their addresses.

NCAI is directing individuals who have questions about payments for class members of the 

 settlement, to contact the claims administrator, Garden City Group, Inc., directly.


Mail: Indian Trust Settlement, P.O. Box 9577, Dublin, OH 43017-4877

Trust Beneficiary Call Center -- beneficiaries can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center for the Office of Special Trustee, toll-free, at 1-888-678-6836

Cobell Settlement Money on the Way; NCAI Launches Radio Ad Campaign to “Protect Native Money”

Former Chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii Passes On

U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii passed away, Monday December 17, 2012, at the age of 88, with his wife and son by his side at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC. A World War II combat veteran, Inouye served the second-longest term of any U.S. senator in history, representing the great State of Hawaii since its statehood in 1959. Inouye was a prominent member and leader of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as its chairman for ten years during two different periods. He passed away from respiratory complications.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) released a statement following the loss of a great friend and warrior for the rights of all people, including Indigenous peoples and tribal nations:

“Senator Inouye was one of the most honorable and courageous men modern Indian Country has known. He was a distinguished warrior, and he served his country and people with dignity and a strong sense of advocacy. As a member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs he championed the rights of Native peoples, and we will always remember him for holding the line on numerous issues critical to cultural protection and tribal sovereignty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. This country has lost a true patriot and statesman.

In the words of our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters we say 

 for his service and commitment and will forever remember this son of Hawaii as a great leader.”

Inouye's outstanding commitment to Indian affairs was demonstrated by his long service on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as the Chairman from 1987 - 1995, the Vice-Chairman from 1995 - 1997, and again as Chairman from 2001 - 2003. He was slated to continue his role as a committee member in the 113th Congress.

Throughout his incredible tenure, Inouye worked closely with NCAI and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes as he advocated for tribal sovereignty, tribal colleges and universities, and housing and community development, among many other issues. He also supported the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and was later able to secure funding for Native Hawaiians to purchase property as a part of the Home Lands effort. Senator Inouye was honored by NCAI in 1999 with the NCAI Leadership Award for his service to Indian Country.

The official statement released by Inouye's office 

describes his long history of military service:

“Senator Inouye began his career in public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He served with 'E' company of the 442 Regimental Combat Team, a group consisting entirely of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Senator Inouye lost his arm charging a series of machine gun nests on a hill in San Terenzo, Italy on April 21, 1945. His actions during that battle earned him the Medal of Honor.”

Inouye, a second-generation Japanese-American, was a true son of Hawaii who created a national legacy of leadership. His role as the first Japanese-American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later the first in the U.S. Senate, blazed a trail for the record number of Asian Americans now serving in Congress. Fourteen total members were set to make up the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in 2013, with five new Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders elected to serve in the 113th United States Congress - the largest caucus of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members in any single congressional session.

NCAI Remembers Inouye as a “Distinguished Warrior”

Recap of Statements by Republican and Democratic members;
Path forward on VAWA remains open in lame duck but window closing

Washington, DC – On Thursday December 13, House Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) held a meeting with Republican members of both the House and Senate to discuss the tribal provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. In a statement provided to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) by Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), Cole spoke to the meeting and the bipartisan support for the tribal provisions.

"We had a very productive meeting today (Thursday) to determine the way forward for tribal provisions in the Violence Against Women Act. Majority Leader Cantor appreciates the seriousness of the problem and is genuinely trying to find an appropriate solution that can pass both houses of Congress,” said Representative Cole in a statement sent to NCAI.

“In my view, the best remedy is to provide tribal communities with the same authority granted to every other local municipality to police their communities and protect their residents,” continued Cole. “There is bipartisan support to give tribal law enforcement authorities the necessary jurisdiction and resources to combat the epidemic of domestic violence against Native American women in Indian Country. I appreciate the efforts of Rep. Issa and Sen. Crapo to advance creative legislative solutions. This is a serious problem that is not going away, and we'll continue to work for a solution in the next Congress if time runs out in this session."

NCAI’s Executive Director Jacqueline Pata responded to yesterday’s developments, issuing the following statement.

“We’re very appreciative of the Majority Leader Cantor’s focus on VAWA and this critical issue for protecting Native women. This meeting indicates that progress is being made and we continue to hope that members will find a path forward on tribal provisions that address the jurisdictional gap at the root of the problem and protect Native women,” said NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata. “We’re going to keep urging bipartisan collaboration by congressional leadership to pass an inclusive VAWA until the day the legislation passes in the House and Senate. Native women and all other victims who suffer from domestic violence and related crimes depend on this outcome and we remain committed to seeing that day become a reality.”

Last week, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced H.R. 6625, a new stand-alone house version of VAWA which contains language to address tribal court jurisdiction and judicial parity in prosecuting non-Indian defendants. NCAI is supportive of this legislation, and in a letter to the Senate authors of VAWA, Senators Leahy (D-VT) and Crapo (R-ID), NCAI called for support of this legislation.

referenced the House Leader’s meeting in a statement

 on the bipartisan progress being made on VAWA, “I have heard that Republican leaders are meeting today to finally discuss the issue,” Leahy said. “It is my hope that they will show real leadership by supporting crucial protections for tribal women, rather than offering empty proposals that do not change existing law and will not move us forward or help us to address this crisis.”

, Patty Murray referenced the failure of Congress to agree on an inclusive, bipartisan VAWA: “Today marks 18 years to the day since President Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act into law. And since that day, this law has protected countless women across the country - as seen most directly by the fact that annual rates of domestic violence have dropped by more than 60 percent. But Madam President, today also marks a far less celebratory day in the history of this critical bill. And that is because today is also the 139th day of delay by the House of Representatives since the Senate passed an inclusive, bipartisan VAWA bill by a vote of 68-31.”

House Majority Leader Hosted Meeting on Tribal Provisions of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Significant progress is being made on the long sought after Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization, including the critical tribal provisions of the bill, and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is calling on House Majority Leader Cantor and authors of recent Senate and House legislation to continue discussions and pass final legislation.

“We believe there is a path to bipartisan agreement on the tribal provisions of VAWA. We remain hopeful that a comprehensive VAWA bill can and will move forward before this session of Congress ends,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director of NCAI. “It’s hero time on both sides of the aisle, and we believe all the discussions happening on VAWA, in addition to the discussions surrounding the Issa/Cole version, will be successful and will protect all women, including Native women.”

a statement released last week, Senator Leahy

 referenced this letter and provided an optimistic response on the record, “the National Congress of American Indians has urged Senator Crapo and me ‘to take a serious look at the Issa/Cole provision.’ We are. I urge the House Republican leadership to do so, as well.” 

Yesterday a letter was sent by a group of bipartisan members of Congress

 calling on Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor for action on a comprehensive VAWA.

Female tribal leaders and members of NCAI's Violence Against Women Task Force are actively meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week to ensure Indian Country's voice is heard and to see that the tribal provisions are understood.

NCAI Statement on Bipartisan Movement on Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Tribal Provisions

Download NCAI's Complete Tribal Nations Summit Overview

The 4th Annual White House Tribal Nations Summit convened the President, eight members of his Cabinet, numerous high-level Administration officials, and hundreds of tribal leaders from across the country in our nation's capital to discuss key issues facing tribal nations.

"Three years ago, I was proud to see that this conference was the largest gathering of tribal leaders in our history," remarked President Obama, "back then an event like this was rare. Today, it's gotten routine. What I told you then is that I was committed to more than a unique nation-to-nation relationship, I was committed to getting this relationship right, so that your nations could be full partners in our economy and your children can have a fair shot at pursuing the American dream and that no one has to live under the cloud of fear or injustice."

The administration responded with action to address top tribal priorities through a number of important announcements.

Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack announced an interagency policy on sacred places. Secretary Vilsack noted that "the President is very, very insistent that these sacred sites are protected and treated with dignity and respect." Secretary Vilsack also announced his department's report on sacred places, a collaborative effort with tribes and the Forest Service, would be released 

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin announced the release of a 

guidance document on General Welfare Exclusion

, which includes a wide range of benefits, for example, assistance with housing, utilities, education, job placement, elder assistance, disabilities, emergency/temporary assistance, and religious/cultural activities payments.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced 

 for the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse the Indian Health Service for services provided to Native veterans. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced the finalization of the 

 and several secretaries underscored key new investments that are detailed in 

Throughout the Summit, the administration also underscored its commitment to key tribal priorities during the Lame Duck session, including protecting the Indian Country budget, passing a clean 

 Fix, and reauthorization of a Violence Against Women Act with tribal priorities included. 

Secretary Ken Salazar, Department of the Interior

Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education

Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin, Department of the Treasury

Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank, Department of Commerce

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Department of Health and Human Services

Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture

Leaders of Each Tribal Leaders Breakout Session

Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation

Secretary Hilda Solis, Department of Labor

To effectively monitor progress on tribal leader priorities, NCAI is inviting tribal leaders to share their notes from the summit breakout sessions. Please submit notes via email to Peter Morris at 

, via fax at 202-466-7797, or via phone at 202-466-7767 x210.

Save the Date! NCAI Transition Meeting - January 22

In advance of the Tribal Nations Summit, NCAI and regional intertribal organization partners developed a 

 outlining key tribal priorities. One aspect of this book was a 

Framing Paper of Nine Transformative Steps

 that the President could take to advance our nation-to-nation relationship. The nine steps are as follows: 

Establish an Administration-wide Policy on Sacred Places

Promote Economic Security by Ensuring Governmental Parity between Tribes and States

Recognize our Nation-to-Nation Relationship in International Forums

Prioritize Appointments that Impact Indian Country

Direct the Census Bureau to Lead a Periodic Indian Country Economic Survey

Ensure Tribes are Included in National Policy Reform Efforts

To continue this important work and dialogue with the administration, NCAI will host a transition meeting on 

 to set the agenda for Congress and the Administration for the next four years. 

Visit the event page for more information

Tribal leaders, worried "fiscal cliff" spending cuts could impede progress, meet with Obama

Spending cuts shadow Obama meeting with tribes

Tribal programs should be spared axe in any deal

2012 Tribal Nations Conference Roundup: Economic Renewal, Carcieri, and the Looming "Fiscal Buffalo Jump"

What you didn't see at the White House Tribal Nations Summit

President Obama Meets with Tribal Leaders 

By Deandra Corinthios WGBA-TV Green Bay, WI

Alaska Native Leaders Attend White House Tribal Nations Conference

2012 White House Tribal Nations Summit Recap

As political leaders scramble to keep the United States from slipping off the fiscal cliff, tribal leaders are wondering if the first boulder to fall will land on tribal nations. The Indian Country budget will be one of the main concerns discussed on Wednesday when leaders from the 566 federally recognized tribal nations meet with the President and the Obama Administration for the fourth annual White House Tribal Nations Summit.

The federal responsibility to tribal nations is not driving the deficit. In fact tribal programs, as part of the discretionary budget, have already done their part to reduce the deficit following the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles commission and enacted through the bipartisan Budget Control Act. Federal responsibilities to tribes are already significantly underfunded and the problems we are working hard to confront will only be exacerbated if treaty obligations are treated as line items.
Tribal programs make up a miniscule part of the federal budget – for example the Indian Health Service is 0.12% of federal spending and Bureau of Indian Affairs is -0.07%. Cuts at the sequester level of 8.2 percent, or deeper, to investments in education, housing, roads, law enforcement, tribal courts, natural resources, energy development, job training, and health care will deal a devastating blow to already dire economic conditions in Indian Country.

A joint tribal letter sent last week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, signed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and 65 tribes and tribal organizations, outlines the risk of deep sequestration cuts to the already underfunded federal responsibilities to tribal nations.

NCAI estimates that if sequestration were implemented, the percentage cuts from fiscal-year 2010 Native programs (when adjusted for inflation) would represent cuts to essential government services of up to 35 percent. Health care and public safety are two examples where NCAI and tribal nations fear major progress in recent years could be reversed by deep budget cuts.

The 2010 passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) ushered in a new era where tribal nations are empowered to advance public safety in their communities. Before these changes took effect, data from 2000 to 2010, showed a growing crime problem in Indian country. Implemented using principles in the TLOA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Safe Indian Communities initiative, a two-year program that included targeted community policing, achieved a 35 percent overall decrease in violent crime across the four communities. Cuts to vital programs at Department of Interior for tribal law enforcement and funding for tribal courts under the Department of Justice will thwart emerging initiatives and significantly reduce critical funding for basic justice services.

Indicators in Indian Country highlight concerning disparities in health care for tribes, yet also show incremental progress in quality of life and health care. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the diabetes prevalence rate of 16.1 percent in American Indian and Alaska Native adults is almost twice the rate of 8.3 percent for the total U.S. adult population. At the same time, since 1973 Indian life expectancy has increased by approximately 9 years according to the Indian Health Service (IHS).

The sequester would be a setback to tribes and the IHS , which serves 2.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives and is critically underfunded. The Cherokee Nation estimates that if the sequester hits IHS funding, 83,000 patients would not be seen, 127 health jobs would be lost, and a clinic may have to close. In addition, 1,000 fewer diabetes patients would be provided equipment, medicine and monitoring and 12,700 fewer people would be able to access preventative education about diabetes.

Tribal nations are members of the American family of governments. We are one of three sovereign governments recognized in the constitution. The federal government has solemn obligations to tribal citizens funded in the federal budget are the result of treaties negotiated and agreements made between Indian tribes and the U.S. in exchange for land and resources, known as the trust responsibility.

Before the fiscal cliff was ever a national emergency, tribal nations were already facing a steep economic valley. Many tribal nations are making significant progress to promote economic security and secure prosperity for our communities and grow entire regional economies. Given this success, Indian Country can’t afford a setback of this proportion, and neither can the United States.

It’s time that the president and Congress act to protect the Indian Country budget and ensure tribes are able to fully contribute to the economic recovery.



Keel is the president of the National Congress of American Indians, the nation’s largest and oldest American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization and is the Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, located in Oklahoma.

OPINION: Tribal programs should be spared axe in any deal

Washington, DC – Embassy of Tribal Nations –

 In advance of the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Summit this Wednesday, Native leaders are weighing in on the effect the fiscal cliff will have on the 566 federally recognized tribal nations and American Indian and Alaska Native citizens. A joint tribal letter sent last week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, signed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and 65 tribes and tribal organizations, outlines the risk of deep sequestration cuts to the already underfunded federal responsibilities to tribal nations.

“Tribal nations are part of the American family of governments, and we know everyone in that family must identify budget efficiencies to keep America moving forward. However, the federal responsibility to tribal nations is not driving the deficit. In fact tribal programs, as part of the discretionary budget, have already done their part to reduce the deficit following the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles commission and enacted through the bipartisan Budget Control Act. Federal responsibilities are already significantly underfunded and the problems we are working hard to confront will only be exacerbated if treaty obligations are treated as line items,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI.

“Tribal programs make up a miniscule part of the federal budget – for example the Indian Health Service is 0.12% of federal spending and Bureau of Indian Affairs is 0.07%,” Keel continued. “An 8.2% across the board cut would mean deep cuts to critical tribal programs and will disproportionately impact already vulnerable Native communities. Tribal leaders are calling on the President, Congress, and leaders throughout the federal government to sustain current investments in critical infrastructure and support. Any deal, either in a short term framework or final bargain should not cut domestic spending, especially trust responsibility programs, any further. Tribal governments also urge Congressional action to advance tribal taxing jurisdiction. Until all tribes retain exclusive taxing jurisdiction within their tribal lands, federal support remains critical to ensure essential government services are delivered to tribal people and the trust responsibility is honored.”

The letter to Senate and House leaders identified exactly how cuts would impact Indian Country and called for leadership to secure and protect tribal communities by upholding commitments to health care, education, public safety, energy development, and infrastructure like housing, roads, and broadband, which are all in the non-defense discretionary portion of the federal budget. The letter outlines where cuts would impact specific American Indian and Alaska Native programs.
Using the estimate of 8.2% reductions just for the first year of sequestration, many tribal programs will face difficult reductions below FY2010 levels, when adjusted for inflation. NCAI estimates that if sequestration were implemented, the percentage cuts from fiscal-year 2010 Native programs (when adjusted for inflation) would be:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Tribes, cut by 35%

Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants, Tribes, cut by 25%

Tribal Community Oriented Policing Grants cut by 25%

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Trust Natural Resources cut by 24%

BIA, Operation of Indian Programs cut by 14%



Health care and public safety are two examples where NCAI and tribal nations fear major progress in recent years could be reversed by deep budget cuts.The 2010 passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act ushered in a new era where tribal nations are empowered to advance public safety in their communities. Before these changes took effect, data from 2000 to 2010, showed that homicides in Indian country rose 41% and rapes increased 55%. The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Safe Indian Communities initiative, a two-year program that included targeted community policing, achieved a 35% overall decrease in violent crime across the four communities. Cuts to vital programs at Department of Interior for tribal law enforcement and funding for tribal courts under the Department of Justice will thwart emerging initiatives and significantly reduce critical funding for basic justice services.

Indicators in Indian Country highlight concerning disparities in health care for tribes, yet also show incremental progress in quality of life and health care. For example, according to the Center for Disease Control, the diabetes prevalence rate of 16.1% in American Indian and Alaska Native adults is almost twice the rate of 8.3% for the total U.S. adult population. At the same time, since 1973 Indian life expectancy has increased by approximately 9 years according to the Indian Health Service (IHS).

The sequester would be a setback to tribes and the IHS , which serves 2.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives and is critically underfunded. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma estimates that if the sequester hits IHS funding, 83,000 patients would not be seen, 127 jobs would be lost, and a clinic may have to close. 1,000 fewer diabetes patients would be provided equipment, medicine and monitoring and 12,700 fewer people would be educated.
The 2012 White House Tribal Nations Summit is the fourth annual nation-to-nation meeting hosted by President Obama and his Administration in as many years. During the day long meetings with federal agencies, tribal leaders will be discussing a range of transformative actions the President can take to partner with tribal nations to advance economic security and expand prosperity for Native peoples and all Americans. Many of these include no-cost opportunities to improve conditions in Indian Country through means such as increased flexibility for tribal governments for improving energy development on tribal lands, restoring tribal lands for economic development, and protecting Native women through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which provides enhanced tribal jurisdiction over crimes against Native women on tribal lands.

Tribal Nations Send Message about “Fiscal Cliff” in Advance of White House Tribal Nations Summit

Friday Nov. 23, 2012 Proclaimed by President Obama as Native American Heritage Day

Washington, D.C. – The Thanksgiving holiday is a time of reflection, remembrance, and celebration. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joins all Americans in celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions that makes America so unique. It’s also a time to reflect on the shared history and future, of citizens of tribal nations – American Indians and Alaska Natives - and the United States.

The following is a statement regarding the Thanksgiving Holiday, by Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI:

“Thanksgiving and the month of November, Native American Heritage Month, are an important time for the nation to renew a year-round commitment to honoring and strengthening the relationship between tribal nations and the United States. We also commend President Obama for proclaiming the day after Thanksgiving, November 23, 2012 as Native American Heritage Day.

These days mark important times for reflection by the United States and tribal nations. We have a long shared history between our nations and citizens. Essential to our future as nations is our progress as an American family of governments, including tribal nations and Native peoples, and it is important we come together in celebration to share in the traditions we all cherish, and reflect on our shared history.

Our tribal nations and our people are strong. With over 600 tribal nations, both federal and state recognized tribes, and more than 5.2 million American Indian and Alaska Native people in the United States, our shared future will be determined by our unique contributions to the North American and global community.

While there have been many dark days in our shared history, our tribal sovereignty – outlined in the United States Constitution and upheld in legal documents over the centuries - is one of our greatest rights and we honor that right by celebrating our tribal nations every day of the year.

We also keep in our thoughts all men and women, Native and non-Native, who serve to protect our sovereignty and our nations, serving in the United States Military, and those veterans who have served so bravely but have not returned to their families and communities. Our prayers are with them and the over 22,000 active duty Native service members, the 150,000 Native American veterans, and all those service members and families affected by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We pray for their safe return and for a bright future for those veterans who have returned to contribute to their communities as civilians.

We believe in a prosperity that is enjoyed by all people and I am proud to speak on behalf of the members of the National Congress of American Indians and join with the rest of our American family in celebrating the hope all of our great nations offer to this world.”



Background Information on Native American Heritage Month & Native American Heritage Day



November is also Native American Heritage Month – a month long national celebration of the historic and contemporary contributions Native people make to their nations and the United States. For more information visit 



Following an over twenty-year old tradition, President Barack Obama declared November National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, remarking in his proclamation, “Native Americans are leaders in every aspect of our society -- from the classroom, to the boardroom, to the battlefield. This month, we celebrate and honor the many ways American Indians and Alaska Natives have enriched our Nation, and we renew our commitment to respecting each tribe's identity while ensuring equal opportunity to pursue the American dream.”

This proclamation also marks, November 23rd, the day following Thanksgiving, as Native American Heritage Day.

Download the White House’s Native American Heritage 

The Native American population is fast growing- in the 2010 Census, 5.2 million people or 1.7 percent of the US population identified as American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) alone or in combination with other races, an overall increase of 27 percent. Download more information on demographics here.


According to 2010 U.S. Census there are over 150,000 American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans living in the United States and ten percent of these veterans are women. The Pentagon estimates that well over 22,000 American Indian and Alaska Native active duty personnel currently serve across the Armed Forces.


The Bureau of Indian Affairs now recognizes 566 federally recognized tribes, with 229 of those tribes and villages located in Alaska; the remaining tribes are located in 34 other states.


In total, tribal governments exercise jurisdiction over lands that would make Indian Country the fourth largest state in the United States if all the lands were combined.


The Navajo Nation is larger than each of the following states: Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.


19 tribal nations are each larger than the state of Rhode Island.


12 have a land base larger than the state of Delaware.

Reflections and Celebrations During Thanksgiving Holiday and Native American Heritage Month

 settlement is final and will soon go into implementation. All appeals have been exhausted, 

with the U.S. Supreme Court denying review

. Both appeals had challenged the commonality, or similar injuries, among class members. The Settlement will resolve many longstanding disputes over the federal government's mismanagement of Individual Indian trust funds and resources, and was approved by Congress with significant tribal support along with a debate over the details. 

$1.5 billion to pay individual Indian trust beneficiaries, including

Stage 1 - Trust Accounting - $1000 per beneficiary

Stage 2 - Trust Resource Mismanagement - payments vary -each individual Indian trust landowner will receive a resource mismanagement payment of a base amount (likely close to $800) plus a formula amount based on the average of theindividual's ten highest IIM account balances between 1985 and 2009. The resource mismanagement payment could range from the base amount to over $100,000, depending on historical account balances. The resource mismanagement settlement included an opt-out, but the time for opting out has passed.

$1.9 billion for addressing fractionation of individual Indian land

. Small fractionated interests will be purchased from Indian landowners on a voluntary basis, and the consolidated land will be turned over to tribes under the terms of the Indian Land Consolidation Act. This is a very significant benefit to tribal governments that will alleviate problems of fractionated ownership and benefit Interior's land management system. The BIA has indicated that it is working to prepare appraisals for as many as 37,000 allotments - those with more than 20 owners. A recent update from the Interior Department on their plans for land consolidation can be found 

. The Interior Draft Plan for land consolidation can be found 

. A recent presentation on the Land Consolidation program from Chickasaw Nation Industries can be found 

. NCAI's comments requesting more details on the plan can also be found 

Up to $60 Million for Indian Higher Education

 - the funds are derived from land consolidation transactions and serve as an incentive for fractionated landowners.

. The Commission is already functioning and is intended to make recommendations on the future of trust reform and to oversee a performance audit of trust systems and controls. Click 

For more information on the Cobell Indian Trust Settlement, you can go to

Consumer Protection for Recipients of Indian Trust Settlements

There is an urgent short term need to provide financial and consumer protection information to tribes and Native individuals. Two settlements with payments going to Native individuals and a large group of tribal trust fund settlements are scheduled to be distributed in 2012 and 2013. 

 settlement initial $1000 payments may be sent as early as December 2012 to an estimated 400,000 Native individuals. The 

 settlement checks of $50,000 to the majority of Indian farmer and rancher class recipients were mailed in August and September 2012. Tribal trust fund settlements were made to more than 50 tribes earlier in 2012 with payments to the tribes - and determination of how these funds will be used - still being made. These settlements total at least $3 billion in individual and tribal trust fund settlements that either has or will come to Indian Country by mid-2013. For more information on these settlements, go to

Tribal Leaders Can Help Protect Tribal Members

Tribal leaders should anticipate the arrival of 

 settlement funds to tribal members in the near future, and NCAI is encouraging a focus on financial education and consumer protection. A major number of the recipients are in Montana, North and South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Minnesota. We anticipate, based on prior experience, that Native people will be targets of scams, theft and predatory practices. 

To assist tribal leaders with information and resources they can make available to their members, go to 

. Information resources include: a letter to tribal leaders with useful information on the 

 Settlement; a two page "consumer alert" that tribal leaders can send to their tribal members, post on their website or distribute at tribal and community events, an update on all the settlements, a list of frequently asked questions, and a list of resource documents about consumer protection and financial education. 

NCAI is also receiving requests from tribes that have or are receiving tribal trust fund settlements. A number of the more than 50 tribes that have recent settlements either have already or will be distributing a portion of their settlement on a per capita basis. NCAI, working with other resource organizations is prepared to help individual tribes with information to help them alert their tribal members to consumer protection tips and think about longer-term financial education. A growing number of tribes have some type of financial education programs to help their members manage their money - and to protect their money.

Cobell Settlement Final, Supreme Court Denies Appeals

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joins with Indian Country and all Americans in honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. As we do every day through our work, NCAI extends the deepest gratitude to our nation's veterans and to their families.

As the events and ceremonies come to an end in many parts of the country we must not rest in our pursuit to provide for our veterans, recently or long returned. Native American veterans have long served in the United States Military with honor and distinction, yet even today as service members return from duty, Native and non-Native service members too often find their greatest challenges lie ahead. As tribal nations, community members, and citizens of the United States, we must celebrate the commitment of these Native warriors with an equal unwavering commitment to their well-being and quality of life.

According to 2010 U.S. Census there are over 150,000 American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans living in the United States and ten percent of these veterans are women. The Pentagon estimates that well over 22,000 American Indian and Alaska Native active duty personnel currently serve across the Armed Forces.

NCAI is dedicated to serving veterans when they return to civilian life as they are equally entitled to the benefits that the federal government has made available. NCAI proudly seeks fair and dignified treatment of all veterans and also advocates for federal support and funding for American Indian and Alaska Native veteran programs and services.

At NCAI's recent 69th Annual Convention this past October in Sacramento, California, the NCAI membership passed resolution 

#SAC-12-002 - Support for Tribal Veteran Service Officers Training Programs

. This resolution authored by NCAI's Veterans Committee supports programs in tribal communities which train Tribal Veteran Representatives and tribal councils in assisting American Indian Veterans in accessing veteran benefits and services, compensation, and pension claims.

We thank all of the nation's veterans today, and we will continue our work to ensure their future is filled with the freedom and health, for which they fought to provide for all Americans.

NCAI continues to track information released by the Department of Defense related to American Indian and Alaska Native service members who have died or been wounded in military operations.

As of October 2012 reports from the Pentagon provide the following information on the sacrifices made by American Indian and Alaska Native service members since 2001 in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan):

70 American Indians and Alaska Natives have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq

 (43 in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 27 in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan). A total of six American Indian and Alaska Natives have been killed since March of 2012.

513 American Indian and Alaska Native service members have been wounded in action since 2001

 (344 in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 169 in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan). This is an increase of 68 individuals wounded since May of 2011, when it was reported that 445 had been wounded (336 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 109 in Operation Enduring Freedom).

The Pentagon also reported in March 2012 that 22,248 American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) currently serve in the military (active duty). Native personnel serve across the Armed Forces at the following levels; Army: 4,404; Navy: 13,511; Marine Corps: 2,128; and Air Force: 2,205.

The 2010 U.S. Census estimates that there are currently 156,515 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. (Source: 2010 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population).

According to Department of Veteran Affairs, in 2006 more than 36,000 female veterans were AI/AN, representing almost 10 percent of all AI/AN veterans, and nearly twice the national average (6 percent of women in the overall population are veterans).

Honoring, Remembering, and Serving Native American Veterans

Voter ID laws being considered or already in place in six states could have a negative impact on Native voter participation in the 2012 election and in years to come. New analysis released today by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), warns that Native voters in Alaska, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, present significant barriers to Native Voter participation. 

NCAI, the nation’s leading Native American advocacy organization, also announced it is supporting increased voter protection efforts in Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, in response to historic and current voter suppression efforts.

“We will not be deterred – Indian Country is focused on turning out the largest Native vote in history this year – and this report helps us focus our protection and education efforts. Voter ID laws and photo ID laws are a major concern and we are working to make sure Native voters have the information they need to make their voice heard,” said NCAI President Jefferson Keel from the organization’s 69th Annual Convention being held in Sacramento, California.

, identifies three areas where voter ID requirements pose significant challenges for Native voters and can be characterized as having a disproportionate effect on the American Indian and Alaska Native vote: First, states with voter ID laws compromise the rights of Native voters by not accepting tribal IDs as valid forms of identification; second, such laws create barriers of cost, logistics, and distance to obtaining required IDs; and finally, these laws risk disenfranchising large numbers of Native voters through provisional ballots.

The report also states that of the 18 states that Native Vote has identified as focus states for protecting Native voter rights and increasing voter engagement, 11 have passed new voter ID laws that could disproportionately affect Native voters. A map and chart included in the report highlights the six states of greatest concern.

The report also outlines steps that can be taken by tribal nations, states, and election officials, to increase education and protection efforts for Native voters.

In January, Keel and NCAI called for the largest Native vote in history.

New Report: Voter ID Laws & the Native Vote

Embassy of Tribal Nations – Washington, DC -

 On Friday October 12, 2012 the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a 

 regarding the enforcement of laws that affect the ability of members of federally recognized Indian tribes to possess or use eagle feathers. The new policy is the result of numerous consultations with tribal leaders, tribal nations, and individuals. The policy covers all federally protected birds, bird feathers, and bird parts. 

In response the National Congress of American Indians released the following statement acknowledging the important step this policy represents:

“Eagle feathers are of great spiritual and cultural significance to many tribal nations and their citizens, and we view the Administration’s new policy as a positive step toward addressing the use and possession of these sacred items. We are hopeful that this policy will protect the rights of all Native peoples to practice their religion without fear of interference by federal officials,” said Robert Holden, Deputy Director of NCAI, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization. “After decades of confusion, this new policy clarifies the position of the federal government in a manner that strikes a more equitable balance between the rights of Native American practitioners and the preservation of eagles.”

NCAI has convened Eagle Feathers Work Group meetings with DOJ officials numerous times during the policy drafting stages, and in the coming weeks, the work group will take a thorough look at the new DOJ policy and its implications.


“In general, we anticipate this policy will be well received by the work group and Indian Country in general. It may well resolve some decades-old concerns and everyone who has played a role in the process—both on the tribal side and the federal side—should be commended for their efforts. We encourage continued review of the policy and urge the federal government to be very sensitive to religious freedom concerns when considering enforcement,” concluded Holden.


The DOJ policy provides that, consistent with the Department of Justice’s traditional exercise of its discretion, a member of a federally recognized tribe will not be subjected to federal prosecution for certain types of conduct (see below). The Department will continue to prosecute tribal members and non-members alike for violating federal laws that prohibit the killing of eagles and other migratory birds or the buying or selling of the feathers or other parts of such birds. The new policy makes clear that DOJ’s priority is on large-scale commercial cases and incidents of illegal poaching, not the every-day use and possession of eagle parts and feathers by tribal members.

The policy provides that, consistent with the Department of Justice’s traditional exercise of its discretion, a member of a federally recognized tribe engaged only in the following types of conduct will not be subject to prosecution:

Possessing, using, wearing or carrying federally protected birds, bird feathers or other bird parts (federally protected bird parts);

Traveling domestically with federally protected bird parts or, if tribal members obtain and comply with necessary permits, traveling internationally with such items;

Picking up naturally molted or fallen feathers found in the wild, without molesting or disturbing federally protected birds or their nests;

Giving or loaning federally protected bird parts to other members of federally recognized tribes, without compensation of any kind;

Exchanging federally protected bird parts for federally protected bird parts with other members of federally recognized tribes, without compensation of any kind;

Providing the feathers or other parts of federally protected birds to craftspersons who are members of federally recognized tribes to be fashioned into objects for eventual use in tribal religious or cultural activities.

NCAI Statement on DOJ Announcement of Department-wide Policy on Eagle Feather Use & Possession

National tribal organization calls for civil discourse
and immediate stop to politicization of Native identity

Embassy of Tribal Nations - Washington, DC --

 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) issued the following statement in the wake of recent developments in the Massachusetts Senate election contest between incumbent Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown and his opponent, Elizabeth Warren, who has stated she descends from Cherokee and Delaware Indian ancestry. 

NCAI, a non-partisan organization, is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization in the country.

NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata released the following statement:

“In the last week, the Massachusetts Senate race reached an extremely disturbing place. The National Congress of American Indians is calling for the candidates to return civility to the public discourse and to immediately stop the politicization of Native identity. On Tuesday, 

video footage was released showing Senator Brown’s staff

 leading crowds in ‘war whooping’ and ‘tomahawk chopping’ during a clash with Warren supporters. Additionally, last Thursday Senator Brown made inflammatory remarks about Warren’s skin color as an indicator that she is not of Native descent.

The video footage of Senator Brown’s staff engaged in ‘war whooping’ and ‘tomahawk chopping’ is not only offensive and demeaning to Native Americans it is also demoralizing to citizens across the country. It’s concerning that experienced staff members of a United States Senator would act this way; Senator Brown should take corrective action immediately. These actions belittle the democratic process and are emblematic of an irresponsible public discourse on race and Native identity by misinformed individuals and the media.

Elizabeth Warren also bears responsibility for allowing the public discourse about Native identity to become misrepresented. She has every right to be proud of her family, however her campaign failed to educate a non-Native media and the public unfamiliar with federal tribal enrollment rules or about historic federal policies that make proving Native ancestry very difficult for some people. Finally, Warren’s campaign did not respond to requests for interviews from Native media organizations. All of these actions could have gone a long way to reducing tension and increasing awareness.

The video released of Brown’s staffers comes just days after Senator Brown 

responded to a question during the opening

 of a September 20, 2012 televised debate between the two candidates in which he referred to Warren’s white skin color as proof that she is not of Native American descent in response to an opening question about character, “I think character is important…what you are referring to is the fact that Professor Warren claimed she is a Native American, a person of color, and as you can see, she is not.”

Skin color or physical appearance has no bearing on one’s Native American heritage or status as an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe. As a result, numerous national television programs and websites have irresponsibly echoed Senator Brown’s statements by referring to someone’s skin color as an indicator for Native American identity. These claims are false and Senator Brown should correct the record and retract his statement immediately.

NCAI is concerned by the negative and racially charged statements and actions that are the result of the politicization of the issue of Native ancestry. This issue has no bearing on the qualifications to be the Senator of Massachusetts.

Native American peoples have long endured discrimination and we will not tolerate, nor should the American people tolerate, a return to hostile environments or ignorant discourse about America’s first peoples. Nor should we tolerate a hostile environment about a common characteristic many people share, a connection to Native American ancestry.

Today, Native people are proud of our ancestors, our place in the American family of governments, and we will not stand for irresponsible behavior or public discourse.”

 - 5.2 million or 1.7 percent of the U.S. population are American Indian or Alaska Native, including those of more than one race. Of this total, 2.9 million were American Indian and Alaska Native only, and 2.3 million were American Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races. Source: 2010 Census Brief: Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin 

http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-02.pdf

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