(Portland, Ore., September 7, 2021)— On September 3, 2021, the United States, tribal defendants, and state and private plaintiffs filed petitions asking the United States Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’s decision in Brackeen v. Haaland, a case challenging the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The Protect ICWA Campaign stands with the United States and tribal defendants who have defended ICWA and its critical protections for Indian children and families who are in state court child custody proceedings. ICWA represents the gold standard in child welfare practice and has helped tens of thousands of Indian children and families find fairness and healing in state child welfare systems for over 40 years.




The Protect ICWA Campaign (the Campaign) was established by four national Native organizations: the 

National Indian Child Welfare Association

. Together, the Campaign works to serve and support Native children, youth, and families through upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act. The Campaign works to inform policy, legal, and communications strategies with the mission to uphold and protect ICWA.

Protect ICWA Campaign Stands with Indian Children and Families in Brackeen v. Haaland Cert. Petitions

On Tuesday, August 23, 2021, the House adopted the Senate’s 

, which includes $3.5 trillion in budget reconciliation instructions. The spending enacted under budget reconciliation rules allow for passage by a simple majority in both the House and Senate.

The budget resolution and reconciliation instructions show promise for additional historic investments and budgetary improvements for Indian Country including advance appropriations for certain Indian Health Service (IHS) accounts. Negotiations on the reconciliation spending are currently underway, with Committees starting their markups next week.

Your immediate outreach to Congressional representatives and Congressional Committee staff is essential to ensure that robust investments in Indian Country remain part of the final budget reconciliation package.

Reach out to your Congressional delegation to ensure that Indian Country is fully included in the budget reconciliation spending! Please feel free to use the following resources in your outreach.



View the two versions of a letter sent by 20 partner tribal organizations to Congressional leadership.

Use this form letter to send to your Congressional delegation and Congressional committees.

View this reference sheet of Congressional Committee assignments as part of the budget reconciliation instructions.

What is the Budget Resolution and Budget Reconciliation?


The budget resolution sets recommended spending levels for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-2031. The resolution also includes reconciliation instructions for additional spending. Reconciliation instructions provide directives to Congressional Committees to send legislative text that fits within the instructions, in order to “reconcile” the additional spending.

This resolution includes instructions for 12 Committees in the Senate and 13 Committees in the House, including $20.5 billion for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and $25.6 billion for the House Committee on Natural Resources. The vast majority of the spending will occur across the additional Committees within the instructions, and tribal spending could be included in any of the assigned Committees. This means that Tribal Nations and advocates should consider reaching out to any of the assigned Committees to ensure that Indian Country funding is included.



What is the Timing and the Process for Advocacy?


The deadline for Committees to submit spending legislation is 

, with many Committees looking to move faster. For example, the House Committee on Natural Resources will be holding its mark-up on 

. It is important to contact members of Congress on the Committees and professional staff on the Committees now. Each member of Congress has influence within and outside their Committee assignments, and your representative could advance your priorities among their colleagues.

Once reconciliation text is introduced and passed through each Committee, the bill must pass in the House and Senate with a simple majority vote then head to the President for signature.



Congress Adopts Budget Resolution Outlining $3.5 Trillion in Reconciliation Spending; Tribal Nation Advocacy Needed

NCAI Supports the Nomination of Charles Sams III as Director of National Park Service



On August 18, 2021, the White House announced its intention to nominate Charles “Chuck” Sams III, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla with 25 years of experience in tribal and state conservation and land management, as Director of the National Park Service. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) recognizes Sams as a uniquely qualified candidate, and supports his nomination as it moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“Chuck Sams knows the importance of protecting our precious natural resources, wildlife, and habitats while balancing the challenges of welcoming millions of visitors per year to our pristine National Parks,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “As the Park Service’s first Native American director, Chuck is well-positioned to balance recreational uses and stewardship with our Tribal Nations’ needs to maintain our traditional and ancestral ties to these lands.”

Writers and historians have called our National Parks “America’s best idea,” saying their values of conservation, environmental stewardship and historic preservation “reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” Likewise, the nomination of Sams as the first Native American to lead the National Park Service and its first permanent director in more than four years is another excellent idea.

NCAI urges the Senate to swiftly confirm President Biden’s nomination of Charles “Chuck” Sams III as the National Park Service Director. The department deserves his thoughtful brand of leadership and vision to continue earning the title of “America’s Best Idea.”

###



About the National Congress of American Indians:



Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit 

U.S. Census Bureau releases 2020 Census Redistricting Data and a First Look at AI/AN Population Data

The U.S. Census Bureau held a news conference on August 12, 2021 on their release of the 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data File. This is the second major data product from the 2020 Census after the release of apportionment data in April 2021. This data release begins the official redistricting process at the state and local levels and the data is available in the “legacy format,” which requires special methods to analyze. By September 30, 2021, the data will be released to the public in easier to use formats.

States primarily use the P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data File to draw new congressional, state, and local districts that will influence representation, voting, and the allocation of new resources to communities. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is a part of the Coalition Hub Advancing Redistricting and Grassroots Engagement (C.H.A.R.G.E.) initiative, and our civic engagement team is conducting trainings for tribal communities to encourage their participation in state and local redistricting efforts. Local advocates can define local communities of interest, testify at local hearings on redistricting, and talk about the importance of fair elections, accurate redistricting, and the need for all communities to get the representation and resources they deserve.

“NCAI is excited to see the 2020 Census results that show a more diverse America,

We also are excited that the official redistricting season can now begin with today’s release of the redistricting data. We are encouraging all Tribal Nations to participate in their local and state redistricting efforts to ensure that Tribal Nations are fairly represented and have access to the resources they need and deserve.” 

The U.S. Census Bureau also released results from the 2020 Census on population changes, race and ethnicity counts, and results from new diversity measures. The 2020 Census count was impacted by COVID-19, shutdowns and closures preventing in-person enumeration, and lack of access to online response in some rural and remote communities. The new privacy measures may cause problems with the quality and usability of census data especially in small, rural, and remote populations. However, the results show the growing diversity of the U.S. population, which creates more opportunities for all to learn about the rich diversity of Tribal Nations.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that the total American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) alone and in combination population increased from 5.2 million in 2010 to 9.7 million in 2020, which is an 86.5% increase. AI/ANs now represent 2.9% of the U.S. population.

“Today, we are pleased that the 2020 Census data show the increase in diversity in the United States, and a large increase in the AI/AN population,

 said Dante Desiderio, NCAI Chief Executive Officer. 

American Indians and Alaska Natives are a fundamental part of American history, and we hope these data inform efforts to ensure that our schools teach more American Indian and Alaska Native history in their courses about American history. Tribal Nations make significant contributions to the local, state, and regional economies and have a rich and vibrant culture that contributes positively to the past and current history of the United States.”

NCAI is now analyzing the data from the P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data File to determine counts for the AI/AN population and tribal lands (geographies) and to assess the quality and usability of the data, especially for small, rural, and remote populations and Tribal Nations. The 2020 Census data will be important for Tribal Nations in the redistricting process, federal funding formulas, local tribal governance, and AI/AN research. NCAI will post updates on its Policy Research Center website in the coming weeks.

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit www.ncai.org.

Statement from National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp:



"The confirmation of Bryan Newland as the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs is an important step forward in strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and Tribal Nations, and we congratulate the Assistant Secretary on this achievement. We are in a time of great opportunity to make inroads on critical issues such as growing tribal economies, developing infrastructure, building healthy communities, and protecting sovereignty. This confirmation places someone with the experience and a unique understanding of these issues into this key role and NCAI looks forward to working closely with Assistant Secretary Newland on advancing Indian Country’s priorities.”


Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit 

NCAI Congratulates Bryan Newland on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC | The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) commends today’s announcement by the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Cleveland of its new team name and mascot, the “Guardians.” The announcement by the Cleveland Guardians comes seven months after its decision to retire its long-used “Indians” name and mascot, a decision it reached following an extensive process to engage with and learn from tribal leaders, leading scholars, local and national Native organizations, and community stakeholders.

“With today’s announcement, the Cleveland baseball team has taken another important step forward in healing the harms its former mascot long caused Native people, in particular Native youth,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “We call on the other professional sports teams and thousands of schools across the country that still cling to their antiquated Native ‘themed’ mascots to immediately follow suit. NCAI also looks forward to continuing its work with the Cleveland Guardians to help grow the national movement of respect for Tribal Nations, cultures, and communities, a movement that values, teaches, and validates who Native people are today, what makes us unique, the many important contributions we make to this country, and our rightful place in the diverse mosaic that is America.”

NCAI is the oldest, largest, and most representative national organization serving American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Nations and their citizens. It has been 

 to eradicate offensive Native “themed” mascots from sports and popular culture for more than 50 years.

NCAI Commends Announcement by Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Franchise of Its New Name “Guardians”

Statement from National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp:

“On the one year anniversary of the Washington Football Team’s retirement of their racist mascot, we take a moment to recognize the grit and dedication of Tribal Nations, tribal leaders, citizens, advocates and allies who tirelessly helped in the mission to educate Americans on the immense harms Native-themed mascots and team names cause Native people.

Last year sparked a wave of momentum and in 2020 alone, a total of 70 schools voted to retire or alter their Native-themed mascots, with more than 30 schools following suit in 2021 thus far. On the state level, several states have fully or partially banned Native-themed or race-based mascots – including in my home state of Washington. This growing movement shows no signs of slowing down.

True respect for Native people and other people of color requires our country to rid itself of the symbols of racism and intolerance that have far too long been embedded in popular culture and which have marginalized and dehumanized us. These symbols and names have no place in American society, and our work is not yet done.

NCAI will not rest until all offensive Native-themed mascots and associated imagery are removed from popular culture and we call upon our partners and allies across the nation to join us in our resolve to push this positive momentum forward.”

In May 2020, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) launched a 

 that tracks the more than two dozen different Native “themed” school mascots in use by K-12 public schools across the country and continues to actively engage and educate those schools deliberating the retirement of their mascots.

###



Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit

Statement: NCAI President Sharp on One Year Anniversary of the Retirement of the Washington Football Team Name and Imagery

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 

 in Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, et al., holding that Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) are included in the definition of “Indian tribes” under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDA) and thus eligible for funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Court stated that the ruling “does not ‘vest ANCs with new and untold tribal powers,’” but rather “confirms the powers Congress expressly afforded ANCs and that the Executive Branch has long understood ANCs to possess.”

“The relationship between Tribal Nations and the federal government was born out of conflict and it has fallen upon every generation to carry forward our inherent tribal sovereignty to serve our tribal citizens. We must continue to all work together with the United States to actively support strong Nation-to-Nation relationships,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “NCAI looks forward to continuing our work representing tribal governments and working with Alaska Native Corporations, tribal partners, and other allies to ensure that the United States meets its treaty obligations and its trust responsibilities to moving forward.”



NCAI on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, et al.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is encouraged by the Biden Administration’s support for the $1.2 trillion 

, in what would be a historic, long-term investment in clean solutions for transportation, water, broadband, and power infrastructure. For decades, the federal government has recognized that Indian Country has substandard and 

 infrastructure in every sector.

“We are encouraged to hear of the Biden-Harris Administration’s support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which has the potential to bring transformational change to the crumbling infrastructure which plagues Indian Country and many other communities,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “The Administration’s recent investment in tribal broadband is a positive step forward, and the American Jobs Plan and the funding it would provide to fix and build roads, water systems, schools, hospitals, and all the other things we need to foster thriving tribal communities, is significant and long-overdue.”

On April 13, 2021, NCAI and 30 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) organizations, which collectively serve more than 574 federally recognized tribal governments, sent a letter to Congress and the White House requesting resources to urgently address neglected and dilapidated infrastructure that requires improvements to meet the health, safety, welfare, and development needs of AI/AN communities. On May 28, 2021, the President released his 

 to Congress. This budget proposal included substantial investments in tribal infrastructure, which Tribal Nations are urging Congress to include in any upcoming budget negotiations. 

NCAI Encouraged by President Biden’s Support for Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

NCAI President Sharp’s Statement of Support for Juneteenth:

“Today, we honor and celebrate 

 as a national holiday. On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news the Civil War ended and slaves were now free. 

A Civil War continues to this day and it never really ended. Truth be told, we remain sharply divided as a country and, along with our Black brothers and sisters, we have yet to break free from the shackles of centuries of systemic and institutional racism, oppression, and marginalization.

Our day of freedom and emancipation will no doubt come. Until then, we will continue to speak our painful truths, demand justice and equality for all, and rise toward God’s perfect glory for each of us, individually, and this great nation, collectively.”



Statement: NCAI President Sharp’s Statement of Support for Juneteenth

After many hours of negotiation with leaders of the Washington State Legislature and Governor Inslee’s office and consultation with Tribal Nations in the state of Washington, advocacy groups, businesses, and many others, two historic measures to address the climate crisis recently become law. These measures are consistent with standing National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) policy on Climate Change, especially with respect to our position on the United Nation’s Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (UNDRIP-FPIC).

Washington Tribal Nations endorsed and worked hard for the adoption of this measure based on the assurance that they would be fully consulted on new projects related to this measure, especially those that might impact cultural, archeological, or sacred sites. Moreover, as the original people of the lands and waters that comprise Washington state, they won a clear acknowledgement that they should be at the table when these critical conversations take place as the bill passed the legislature.

The good faith negotiations leading to the adoption of this and other provisions took place with legislative leaders and directly with the Governor’s office. It was, therefore, disappointing to learn of the Governor’s surprise and last-minute veto of the tribal consent and consultation provisions.

We were further displeased to learn of the Governor’s recent response to a reporter’s question in which he implied the nationally elected president of NCAI, Fawn Sharp, is not a real leader. Those remarks suggest a division of leadership rank and legitimacy in Washington.

Tribal leaders are not divided. We support all leaders we elect at the national level, and we expect that they will be treated with respect.

We extend our support for the work of all Washington state tribal leaders who seek to resolve the issues raised by the Governor’s veto. NCAI’s policy as voted upon by the NCAI General Assembly of Tribal Nations (

), is congruent with the action of the Washington State legislature including the section that was vetoed.

Thus, we fully support a robust consultation process leading to the statewide adoption of a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent policy that protects the inherent civil and human rights of Tribal Nations, including their cultural, archeological, or sacred sites, and that recognizes the role Tribal Nations have held since time immemorial as stewards of the land, and that they continue to hold as they uphold the rights of future generations.

Statement: NCAI Supports Development of Robust Tribal Consultation Process in Washington State

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joined Indian Country this week in celebrating the termination of the Keystone XL Pipeline project. TC Energy, the Canadian company behind the project, confirmed news of the pipeline’s closure on June 9, 2021, about five months after the Biden Administration revoked the Keystone XL Pipeline permit in January.

NCAI has long 

 the construction of pipelines that could endanger the lands, waters, communities, and sacred sites of sovereign Tribal Nations.

”We have a very clear vision for our collective future, it’s a vision for a clean, healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for the next seven generations,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “The Keystone XL Pipeline was a direct and imminent threat to that future and, today, we honor every voice who stood in solidarity to ensure our collective vision becomes a bright reality.”

The closure of the pipeline signifies a step forward in combatting climate change and in ending the imposition upon the lands and ways of life within Indian Country. NCAI recognizes the continued need to strengthen Nation-to-Nation relationships and will continue to push for 

 between the federal government and Tribal Nations in all matters where the environmental, cultural, and spiritual wellbeing of tribal citizens are concerned.



NCAI Celebrates the Keystone XL Pipeline’s Termination

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Shannon Holsey, Treasurer of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, delivered opening remarks today as the White House 

 Broadband deployment as a key component of President’s Biden infrastructure plan, also known as the American Jobs Plan. Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo also delivered remarks from the White House complex and discussed how this investment would be aimed toward tribal communities. Secretary Raimondo announced that the Department of Commerce would make $1 billion in funding available to tribal governments, tribal colleges and universities, and tribal organizations for broadband infrastructure.

“Thanks to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris - my community and others like mine are finally being heard, and our longstanding infrastructure issues are addressed. Indian Country is 100 percent behind the Administration and looks forward to working through a strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration,” Holsey said. “Expanding broadband to our communities is not just a game changer - it is a life changer to tribal communities like mine and all Tribal Nations across the country.”

There are 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations within the United States that are rich in their geographic, political, and cultural diversity. For decades, the federal government has recognized that Indian Country has substandard infrastructure in every sector. According to a 2019 Federal Communications Commission report, individuals residing on tribal lands are nearly 4.5 times less likely to have Broadband internet access as compared to those on non-tribal lands. This chronic underfunding of infrastructure exacerbated the vulnerability of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in tribal communities having at times the highest rate of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths per capita in the United States.

On April 13, 2021, NCAI and 30 AI/AN organizations, which collectively serve over 580 federally recognized tribal governments, sent a letter to Congress and the White House requesting resources to urgently address neglected and dilapidated infrastructure that requires improvements to meet the health, safety, welfare, and development needs of AI/AN communities. On May 28, 2021, the President released his 

 to Congress. This budget proposal includes substantial investments in tribal infrastructure, which Tribal Nations are urging Congress to include in any upcoming budget negotiations. In an effort to address immediate broadband needs today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration released its 

 for tribal governments, tribal colleges and universities, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations to access approximately $1 billion in funding for broadband infrastructure. The deadline to apply for this funding is September 1, 2021.



NCAI Participates in White House Announcement of Historic Investment in Broadband for Indian Country

The discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada is a sorrowful reminder that the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has repeatedly called for transparency and accountability for the historical and generational trauma caused by Native American boarding schools in the United States. In 2016 and 2017, NCAI called upon the United States government and organizations that operated residential boarding schools to fully account for their treatment of Native children and be fully transparent in providing records related to enrollment and living conditions.

“The discovery of unmarked graves of Native children at Kamloops, dating back possibly a century or more, is beyond horrific. By law, our ancestors were systematically forced into boarding schools where they were beaten, starved, sexually abused and, as we see now, died from neglect or even worse. Their families were never told the truth about what happened, and the perpetrators, individually or institutionally, were never held responsible,” said Fawn Sharp, president of NCAI. “These were lawful actions for nearly 100 years by both the United States and Canada. A new era of accountability starts with a genuine commitment to truth and reconciliation with tribal nations, and with the formation of a formal Commission to study the impacts of the Indian Boarding School Policy. We call on the federal government to finally answer for these transgressions against Native children and families.”

Historically, the Boarding School Policy of 1869 required American Indian and Alaska Native children to attend boarding schools to assimilate the children into a Westernized identity and way of life. Federal boarding school policies required AI/AN children to be taken from their families and stripped of their culture, language, and tribal identity and placed in the ‘care’ of federally run schools. Children could face severe punishment in the form of physical, mental, and emotional trauma, in addition to neglect, inadequate nutrition, disease, and succumbing to illness either as a result of either non-compliance to the assimilationist rules or as a byproduct of attending such an institution. Some students forced into these institutions between 1869 and 1972 are unaccounted for, and their fates and whereabouts remain unknown.

 to address our lost relatives and formally call upon the United States government to provide a full accounting of the total number of students removed to the custody of boarding schools or churches operating with federal funding and to account for the fate and final resting place of each child who did not survive.

 to call upon our membership to gather testimony and share information about our loved ones who attended boarding schools but who remain unaccounted for. NCAI will continue to work to ensure that none of our American Indian and Alaska Native children are ever forgotten and to right the wrongs imposed upon both past and present generations.

NCAI Calls for Transparency and Accountability for Historical and Generational Trauma Caused by Native American Boarding Schools

 – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) applaud this morning’s decision in the United States Supreme Court case 

 (19-1414). Rightfully, the Court held that tribal law enforcement have the authority to temporarily detain and search non-Indians traveling on public rights-of-way running through a reservation for suspected violations of state or federal law.

“Protecting our tribal citizens is one of the most basic services we can provide, and today every member of the Supreme Court agreed,” said Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of American Indians. “This 9-0 decision is one of the strongest affirmations of tribal sovereignty in a generation and helps secure Native communities. For too long, non-Native criminals escaped justice from crimes committed on tribal lands, but today’s unanimous decision in 

 is monumental in changing that. We applaud this decision and look forward to advocating for our member tribes as they improve safety and security in tribal communities as a result of this new precedent.”

This case involves the temporary detention and search of Mr. Cooley, a non-Indian, by a Crow Tribe police officer. After conducting a safety check of the vehicle parked on the side of a state roadway crossing the reservation, the tribal police officer formed the opinion that the motorist was non-Indian, observed firearms in the vehicle, and suspected possible violations of state or federal law. He detained the motorist while local and federal police were being dispatched. A subsequent search of the vehicle by the tribal police officer uncovered 50 grams of methamphetamine and additional firearms. The district court granted the driver’s motion to suppress evidence obtained by the tribal police officer, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed.

The 

, which is jointly staffed by NARF and NCAI attorneys, coordinated the preparation and filing of eight amicus briefs supporting the tribal interests in this case. NCAI joined tribal nations and inter-tribal organizations in urging the Court to reject the Ninth Circuit’s decision. NCAI’s 

 brief can be found on the Tribal Supreme Court Project’s 

, 450 U.S. 644, 566 (1981), the Court affirmed tribal inherent sovereign authority to address “conduct [that] threatens or has some direct effect on . . . the health or welfare of the tribe.” It also reasoned that not recognizing authority to detain suspected non-Indian offenders could pose serious threats to public safety in Indian country. The Court noted that several state and lower federal courts have recognized this authority and several Supreme Court opinions assumed such authority existed. Moreover, the Court pointed out, such detentions of non-Indians do not subject them to tribal law, but only to applicable state or federal law.

The Court vacated the Ninth Circuit’s decision and remanded the case for further proceedings. Read today’s opinion 

Founded in 1970, NARF is the oldest and largest non-profit dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and individual Indians nationwide. For the past 48 years, NARF has represented over 275 Tribes in 31 states in such areas as tribal jurisdiction, federal recognition, land claims, hunting and fishing rights, religious liberties, and voting rights. For more information, visit

NCAI and NARF Applaud Unanimous Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Tribal Law Enforcement Authority in United States v. Cooley

WASHINGTON D.C. -- National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp applauds CNN's termination of its contract with senior political commentator Rick Santorum after his racist remarks at a conservative youth conference. CNN's decision upholds the network's profound responsibility to cover racial discourse equitably and responsibly.

"I am thrilled that CNN is ensuring that justice is served," President Sharp said. "This was never a matter of if a decision would be made; it was only a matter of when. I look forward to continuing to be a resource for CNN as the network works to combat racist and inaccurate narratives."

President Sharp emphasized the importance of partnerships with American Indian tribes, journalists, and media to develop creative solutions that address inaccurate portrayals of Indigenous peoples and Native erasure in the media.

The National Congress of American Indians joined tribal leaders, advocacy groups, and allies in calling for the network to cut ties with Santorum following the former Republican senator and failed GOP presidential candidate's assertion there was "nothing" in America before colonization.

Santorum's remarks propagated systematic expunction of American Indian peoples' culture and contributions to the United States. The incident highlights the critical role of media platforms like CNN in fighting the systematic eradication of Native Americans from the mainstream narrative of the United States.

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit www.ncai.org.


NCAI President Fawn Sharp Commends CNN's Actions To Address Political Commentator Rick Santorum's Racist Remarks

WASHINGTON, DC | This morning, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Lauren J. King (Muscogee Nation) as a judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. If confirmed, Ms. King would be the third active Native American federal district court judge in the United States, the fifth in the history of the federal judiciary, and the first Native American federal judge in the Western District of Washington. 

“NCAI strongly supports the nomination of Lauren J. King, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, as the first ever Native American judge to serve on a federal bench in Washington state,” said President Fawn Sharp of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). “Washington state is home to 29 federally recognized Indian tribes, making it critical that its federal judges better reflect the communities they serve and understand the unique histories of Native peoples and the legal principles that protect and preserve our standing under federal law.”

For decades, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and NCAI have advocated for more Native American nominees for federal judgeships. Given the unique relationship between the United States and Indian tribes under federal law, federal court decisions impact the daily lives of Native Americans more so than other American citizens. Despite this, Native Americans have been historically under-represented in the federal judiciary. In the 231-year history of federal courts, only four Native Americans have been appointed as federal judges. Currently, of the 890 authorized federal judgeships, only two Native Americans serve as active federal district court judges. If the federal judiciary reflected nationwide demographics, there would be at least 14 Native Americans serving as federal judges. 

John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund said, “Ms. King is a highly respected Native American attorney whose background and experience has prepared her well for the federal bench. We congratulate Ms. King and encourage the United States Senate to act swiftly on her confirmation.” 

Founded in 1970, NARF is the oldest and largest non-profit dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and individual Indians nationwide. For the past 48 years, NARF has represented over 275 Tribes in 31 states in such areas as tribal jurisdiction, federal recognition, land claims, hunting and fishing rights, religious liberties, and voting rights. For more information, visit 

NCAI and NARF on President Biden's Nomination of Washington State's First Ever Native American Federal Judge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2021

CONTACT: Elana Needle
Email: eneedle@unidosus.org



Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Demand Accountability from CNN in Wake of Rick Santorum's Racist Remarks



Rick Santorum, a former GOP Senator from Pennsylvania, Republican presidential candidate and senior CNN political commentator, recently made racist remarks at a conservative youth conference that perpetuate the systemic erasure against the influences of indigenous peoples in the United States from their contributions – past, present and future. Mr. Santorum asserted that “We birthed a nation from nothing. . . . I mean, yes we have Native Americans, but candidly there isn’t much Native American culture in American culture.” To the contrary, Native American culture is quintessentially American culture.

These remarks are a gross attempt to play revisionist historian using classic white supremacist rhetoric, and is the exact type of dangerous manipulation we have come to expect from extremists and fringe outlets. But even worse are the great lengths to which CNN, a mainstream media platform tasked with the pursuit of truth and reporting on the facts, has gone to cover for this kind of blatant racist propaganda. It is these kinds of lies, fueled by outright racism, that continue to empower hate groups and white nationalists to commit acts of terror, including storming the Capitol on January 6th of this year.

It is bad enough that a one-time presidential candidate and former Senator is willing to promote false narratives for political gain. But to essentially justify the murder of millions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the taking of their lands, and in the process erase their legacies and co-opt their countless and enduring contributions and influence, in the name of “Judeo-Christian” values is nothing short of repulsive.
Mr. Santorum’s remarks are not only factually incorrect but they continue the erasure of Native Americans contributions to this country. Today, there are 574 federally-recognized tribes and many more state-recognized tribes with a population of over 8 million. Santorum’s inflammatory remarks dismiss each of the Tribal Nations who previously occupied the very state he represented as a member of Congress: Susquehannock, Erie, Lenape, Iroquois, Munsee, and Shawnee of Pennsylvania. In fact, it is because of our government’s aggressive and genocidal American Indian and Alaska Native removal campaigns that there are currently no federally recognized Tribal Nations in Pennsylvania.

After these remarks, CNN, a major media outlet which utilizes Mr. Santorum as a contributor made no comment, and its silence is deafening. By failing to denounce these comments, CNN intrinsically ties itself to a blatantly racist commentator. And, this is not the first time that CNN has outright refused to recognize and be inclusive of American Indians and Alaska Natives. In its live Election Night coverage in November, CNN, while listing white, black, Latino and Asian voters, labeled American Indian and Alaska Native voters as “something else.” When asked to issue an apology for that discriminatory coverage, CNN refused.

It is the denial of our government’s violent history by influential voices like Santorum, combined with the silence and complicity of media outlets like CNN, that continues to provide fodder for racists and extremists alike.

Particularly because of its continuing erasure and racism against Native Americans, we call on CNN to take immediate and swift action, including immediately denouncing these remarks, issuing a written apology to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, cutting ties with Rick Santorum, training and educating reporters and pundits on American Indian and Alaska Native culture, white supremacy and anti-racism, and encouraging reporting on race in a responsible and equitable way. The media holds enormous power and responsibility in the creation of American discourse on race; our very democracy relies on CNN rooting this discourse in racial justice values that promote the safety and wellbeing of everyone.





The Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative includes the following leading national racial equity anchor organizations (the Anchors): Advancement Project National Office, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Faith in Action, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Congress of American Indians, National Urban League, Race Forward, and UnidosUS. Supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we work together to promote racial equity, advance racial healing, and ensure that all children, families, and communities have opportunities to reach their full potential.

Joint Statement: Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Demand Accountability from CNN in Wake of Rick Santorum's Racist Remarks

"I am heartened by yesterday’s Presidential Proclamation of May 5, 2021 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. For tribal communities, this all-too-real epidemic has devastated families across our nations. Victims’ families and Native advocates have marked this day to remember those we have lost but have never forgotten, and my prayers are with all of the families in Indian Country who are awaiting answers or grieving their missing relatives.

Today as we remember them, our commitment to combating the crisis on behalf of our missing and murdered Indigenous relatives does not stop at awareness. We must continue to take action. Thousands of cases of those who are missing or murdered across Indian Country still remain unsolved. We welcome the creation of the Missing and Murdered Unit at Interior to help bring closure to these families. Tribal Nations have long worked to develop innovative solutions for their communities, and we are committed to continuing to work as partners with the federal government. I also call on Congress to move swiftly to enact life-saving legislation, beginning with the 2021 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act with stronger tribal provisions.

Today and every day, those who go missing or whose murders remain unsolved stay in the forefront of our hearts and minds, and motivate us to continue to strive for policy changes that will advance our goal of protecting our citizens and creating safe and vibrant tribal communities."

Statement of President Fawn Sharp on Presidential Proclamation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, May 5, 2021

"On behalf of the Executive Board, our Regional Vice Presidents and the entire staff, NCAI sends our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to our friends and colleagues at the Oneida Nation following the tragic shooting at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center over the weekend. We keep the victims and their loved ones especially close to our hearts.

Although Indian Country is a vast cross-section of hundreds of separate and distinct tribal reservations and communities, each with its own unique culture, language, heritage, and history, our Native ties will always bind us. Often, it feels as though we are simply a close circle of friends, so when a senseless tragedy harms one tribal community, we cannot help but feel their pain.

Today, tomorrow, and as long as NCAI is needed, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the Oneida Nation. Our prayers and healing thoughts are on the way, and we stand ready to assist however we are needed."

News Archive

Who We Are

Our Work

News & Events

Resources

Get Involved

Contractor Opportunities