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.”

Violence Against Women Act Passes Senate with Increased Bipartisan Support for Tribal Provisions

Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will deliver the annual State of Indian Nations Address on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from Washington, DC. Immediately following Keel’s address, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State, the new chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will deliver the Congressional Response. Both speeches will be delivered from the Newseum’s Knight Studio. The event will be broadcast live via 

The State of Indian Nations address, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. eastern, will be held at the Newseum in Washington, DC in the building’s Knight Studio for television broadcast. As is tradition, the State of Indian Nations address is scheduled just days after the United States President delivers the State of the Union.

NCAI President Keel to Deliver State of Indian Nations Address; U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell to Deliver Congressional Response

NCAI Policy Research Center Releases Brief on Violence Against Women Statistics

Washington, DC - In a letter sent to Senators Leahy and Crapo this morning, the National Congress of American Indians’ (NCAI) Taskforce on Violence Against Women expressed strong opposition to any harmful amendments offered to the Senate legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In the letter to the Senate co-authors of the legislation, NCAI expressed unified opposition to amendments to VAWA that would strip tribal jurisdiction provisions or alter the current language in S. 47 in a harmful manner.

The letter sent by NCAI Task Force co-chairs Juana Majel Dixon (

) can be downloaded here, and highlights examples of amendments which the organization opposes:

“Amendments which place more funding in the hands of federal authorities will not address…local need. We believe strongly that local government is the best government for addressing public safety concerns. For example, an amendment is being offered today which would require that tribal governments petition a U.S. District Court for an ‘appropriately tailored protection order excluding any persons from areas within the Indian country of the tribe.’ This level of procedure for an intimately local issue is not practical and will do little to improve matters on Indian reservations. Tribal courts are the appropriate venue to issue such protection orders.

Also, tribal courts and authorities are the appropriate triers of fact for domestic violence matters conducted on Indian reservations. The federal system has proven ineffective in many respects, but none as detrimental to the backbone of a community as the area of domestic violence against Native women. Further many tribal courts operate in much the same manner as state courts, albeit with smaller dockets and lesser degrees of crime as their sister governments: state and federal courts. Also, all tribal courts are bound by the Indian Civil Rights Act, which, as amended, guarantees all of the constitutional rights non-Native defendants have in state courts.”

 released today a new Policy Insight Brief titled, Statistics on Violence Against Native Women. The brief aims to provide detail on previously reported statistics and original sources of data used often in policy discussions, specifically focusing on the context in which the disproportional violence against Native women happens. The brief synthesizes data and provides context for critical tribal provisions of S. 47:

“From what we know about the high rates of intimate partner violence against Native women, about the fact that assaults against Native women tend to take place at private residences, about the reports from Native women of perceived perpetrator race, and about the high rates of interracial marriage and unmarried partners of Native women, it is clear that violence against Native women tends to be perpetrated by non-Native men.”

NCAI Reiterates Support for Senate Version of Violence Against Women Act; Letter to Leahy and Crapo Calls for No Harmful Amendments to S.47

Washington, DC – Today President Obama announced his selection for the next Secretary of the Department of the Interior, nominating Sally Jewell, CEO of the outdoor company REI. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s swift action to nominate a successor for Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar:

“NCAI welcomes the news that the Obama Administration has moved quickly to nominate an innovative leader to continue the momentum of the Department of the Interior achieved under Secretary Salazar. Sally Jewell’s diverse experience in energy, conservation, and stewardship efforts, presents an exciting opportunity for the country and tribal nations to make great strides and continue the transformation of the Department of the Interior under this President.

As a key partner in advancing the trust relationship between the United States and tribal nations, the Secretary of the Interior is a critical component in carrying forward this trust and fulfilling the promise of a new era in U.S. - tribal relations. Over the last four years, this trust relationship has a new focus from all corners of government.

Ms. Jewell’s career indicates that, like other leaders in the Northwest, her efforts have often intersected with and supported the timeless wisdom of tribal nations in relation to natural resource issues. Her career has also included service on boards of organizations that have partnered with tribes to expand educational opportunities for Native people, develop renewable and responsible energy solutions with the private sector and government agencies, and emphasize the importance of Native cultures and languages.

We look forward to working with President Obama and the next Interior Secretary to ensure that tribal nations remain central stakeholders and governments in conserving and managing the natural resources, lands, and communities of North America.

NCAI urges the Senate to take swift action to consider this nomination so that Interior can carry on its work that is vital not only to the first Americans, but all Americans.”

NCAI Statement on the Nomination of Sally Jewell to Serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Stafford Act passes Senate on 62 - 36 vote – Headed to President Obama’s Desk for Signature

Washington, DC – Tribal nations will soon have the same ability provided to states to make disaster relief declarations and requests for assistance directly to the President of the United States. In a 62-36 vote on Monday night, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 152, the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, which includes amendments to allow tribal governments to make direct requests for emergency assistance to the President under the Stafford Act. Under current law, tribes must seek assistance through a state governor’s office, often causing critical delays in emergency response on tribal lands. The legislation, which also includes $50 billion in Hurricane Sandy relief funding, passed 241-180 in the House of Representatives two weeks ago and now goes to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law.

“Some tribal nations in the U.S., many in remote areas, are larger than some states and every tribal nation has unique disaster response and recovery requests. The final passage of this bill marks a historic moment in tribal emergency preparedness and response. Our nations, devastated too often by natural disasters with disproportionate impacts, will be more capable to respond immediately to major disasters, and the bipartisan support for this legislation should not go unnoticed,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI. Keel is also the Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

NCAI further acknowledges that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) made the tribal amendments to the Stafford Act its sole legislative priority under Administrator Craig Fugate’s direction. The need for this critical policy change has been called for repeatedly in FEMA tribal consultations and meetings with tribal leaders during NCAI conventions.

“State and tribal governments will now be able to access disaster assistance as needed to aid the people, local communities, and regions in recovering quickly from catastrophic situations. NCAI looks forward to the signature of this landmark legislation by President Obama. NCAI is prepared to work with FEMA to ensure its implementation contains fair and inclusive eligibility criteria and will benefit the maximum number of tribal communities,” concluded Robert Holden, NCAI’s Deputy Director and longtime coordinator of emergency management policy and response efforts at NCAI.

Tribal Nations Set to Gain Authority to Make Disaster Declarations Directly to U.S. President

Bipartisan Senate support for S. 47 includes key Republican Senators with tribal constituencies Crapo, Murkowski, and Collins

Re-introduced bipartisan S. 47 bill provides locally-focused solutions to address violence against Native women 

 – The National Congress of American Indians is calling for immediate action on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as members of Congress weigh newly introduced legislation in both the Senate and House. NCAI is pointing to the support of key Republicans with tribal constituencies, in both the Senate and House, who are supporting the newly introduced measures or similar measures in the past with key protections for Native American women.

On Tuesday January 22, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reintroduced the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (S. 47), coauthored by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID). The bill, which reauthorizes the landmark VAWA law that first passed more than 20 years ago, strengthens and improves existing programs that assist victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The S. 47 version of the bill ensures important protections for Native women facing domestic and sexual violence on reservations across the country. The bill reflects the bipartisan agreements reached in the 112th Congress on VAWA and is supported by key Republican Senators with tribal constituents including Senator Crapo the coauthor from Idaho and co-sponsors Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Other co-sponsors include Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Bennet (D-CO), Cantwell (D-WA), Casey (D-PA), Coons (D-DE), Durbin (D-IL), Hagan (D-NC), Kirk (R-IL), Klobuchar (D-MN), McCaskill (D-MO), Mikulski (D-MD), Murray (D-WA), Shaheen (D-NH), Tester (D-MT), Udall (D-CO), and Whitehouse (D-RI).

“NCAI is encouraged by this bi-partisan step to act on VAWA in the 113th Congress and it is clear there is support across the board for a VAWA that includes the tribal provisions. These narrow provisions are vital to the safety of our Native women and to the Native and non-Native communities where violent offenders are left unchecked if they commit specific crimes of domestic or sexual violence on tribal land. This is a clear sign that members of both sides of the aisle support this legislation and we are urging both the House and Senate to work together,” remarked NCAI President Jefferson Keel.

The House also put forward VAWA legislation on Wednesday, with Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and John Conyers (D-MI) introducing a House companion bill (H.R. 11). In the 112th Congress, the Senate version, which included tribal provisions, passed the Senate. In the final months of the 112th Congress, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) of the House offered H.R. 6625, known as the Issa/Cole bill, which contained language to address court jurisdiction and tribal judicial parity in prosecuting non-Indian defendants. Congressman Cole also spoke out in favor of the Senate’s previous version of VAWA S.1925. NCAI supported the Issa/Cole language.

After tireless advocacy during the 112th Congress for a comprehensive VAWA, NCAI and members of NCAI’s Violence Against Women Task Force are actively meeting with members of Congress this week to garner additional support for the newly introduced bill. 

NCAI Calls for Action on Violence Against Women Act Legislation in 113th Congress

Tribal nations represented throughout Presidential
Inauguration weekend events

On Monday January 21, 2013, NCAI President Jefferson Keel attended President Barack Obama’s second Inaugural Address joining members of Congress, Cabinet officials, Justices of the Supreme Court, former presidents, governors, other dignitaries, and civil rights organization leaders on the inaugural platform to usher in the 44th President of the United States’ second term. President Keel began the morning with the first family and guests of the Administration at St. John's Church for prayer services near the White House. On the Sunday prior to the inauguration President Keel was also invited to and attended a reception at the home of the Vice-President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, in recognition of the weekend’s inaugural events.

“Tribal nations were represented throughout the Presidential Inauguration events this weekend and I was proud to have represented Native people in honoring the President as he begins his second term. From the morning prayer to his ceremonial swearing in to the Inaugural Parade, tribal nations were present, a reminder that as sovereign nations, we are also active members of the American family of governments,” said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI and Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Keel made the statement from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian where NCAI held a tribal nations strategy session the day after the Inauguration.

The Inauguration included Native people in many ways. The official Inaugural Parade featured six Native groups including; Kamehameha Schools Warrior Marching Band, Honolulu, Hawaii; Native American Women Warriors, Pueblo West, Colorado; Navajo Nation Band, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah; The Tribes of North Dakota, North Dakota; Utuqqagmiut Dancers, Wainwright, Alaska; and the Wind River Dancers, Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming. Two Native American inaugural balls were also held over the weekend.

NCAI’s event on Tuesday January 22nd, “Setting Our Nation-To-Nation Agenda for the Next Four Years: Tribal Nations, Congress, and the Obama Administration”, focused on moving immediately on key priorities for the next four years. The meeting brought together tribal leaders and advocates who were in Washington for the inaugural weekend to form a unified path for working with the Obama Administration and all members of Congress over the next four years. Among the presenters were Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Jodi Gillette, the White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, and Charlie Galbraith Charles Galbraith the White House Associate Director from the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public engagement.

“Although Native Americans or tribes weren’t mentioned specifically in the President’s inaugural speech, tribal nations are a priority of this Administration and it was reflected in our prominence in the weekend’s events. The fact that as the President of NCAI, I was able to be with the President during the prayer service and on the platform to commemorate his inauguration, speaks volumes to our nation-to-nation relationship,” continued Keel.

“We’re focused on major issues in the near term and in the years to come. Immediately we are continuing our advocacy efforts to call on members of Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In addition, fixing land into trust challenges presented by the Supreme Court’s 

 decision remains at the top of our priority list. In the months ahead we’ll monitor the government’s federal trust responsibility to uphold the tribal budget and focus on the implementation of major legislation like the Affordable Care Act and the Tribal Law & Order Act. While there is so much more to do, we’re very optimistic as NCAI, tribal nations, and advocates begin our work in partnership with the 113th Congress and the Obama Administration,” Keel concluded.

President Keel will next deliver a major address at the 2013 State of Indian Nations, scheduled for the February 14th at 10:30 a.m. eastern from the Newseum in Washington, DC – just days after the President Obama’s State of the Union address. The event will be broadcast live from 

 and on television and followed by a Congressional Response and a Question & Answer session. 

NOTE 01/25/2013: The content of this release was modified to add information about President Keel's attendance at the Vice President's home and President's Keel's tribal affiliation and office held.

NCAI President Jefferson Keel Attends 57th Inaugural Address

a statement released by the U.S. Department of Interior

 today, it was announced that Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will return to his home state of Colorado, having “fulfilled his promise to President Obama to serve four years as Secretary. Secretary Salazar has informed President Obama that he intends to leave the Department by the end of March.”

NCAI released the following statement regarding the announcement:

“Secretary Ken Salazar will be remembered for the promises he kept and the trust he rebuilt with tribal nations and Native people. His legacy among tribes is rooted in the depth of the relationships he forged between American Indian and Alaska Native governments and the United States government during the first term of the Obama Administration. Tasked with reinvigorating the government’s trust relationship with tribes, Secretary Salazar lifted the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs to new levels of visibility and accountability, and made a personal commitment to that effort. As a true partner and friend at the table with tribes he brought a clear determined focus to close dark chapters of the past and usher in a new era of tribal relations.

Salazar’s leadership was crucial in settling historic trust cases, supporting and implementing landmark legislation, improving consultation with tribal governments and communities, and working with tribes to protect our land, cultures, and resources.

Most importantly, Salazar’s enduring legacy will be his stewardship of the annual White House Tribal Nations Summit, which the Secretary convened, and in December of 2012 was held for a fourth straight year. During these annual events, it was clear that his words and his intentions were centered in a deep respect for the constitutional relationship between our nations and a responsibility to uphold it. This level of engagement, with members of the Cabinet and the President of the United States directly working with tribal nations, is an example of the most fundamental responsibility of governments world-wide to consult and work together with Indigenous peoples and governments. Secretary Salazar’s commitment to these efforts should not be over looked in that context.

While his leadership and presence will be missed, NCAI will work with tribal governments and citizens to communicate tribal priorities to the federal government during his transition from his position.

NCAI looks forward to working with the President and Congress to ensure a qualified Secretary of the Interior is appointed, who from day one will carry on the work of Secretary Salazar and include tribal nations as central stakeholders and governments in conserving and managing our natural resources and lands that are so vital not only to the first Americans, but all Americans.”

NCAI Statement on Scheduled Departure of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

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 

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