February 2019
February 19, 2019
NCAI Executive Director Moves On After Serving Nearly Two Decades as Organization’s Leading Tribal Nations Advocate
(NCAI)’s Executive Director Jacqueline Pata announced her resignation with the organization after nearly 18 years of service.
January 2019
January 18, 2019
Joint Press Release from National Native Organizations on the Overwhelming Support for the Indian Child Welfare Act
January 18, 2019
NCAI to Honor Distinguished Champions of Indian Country
January 14, 2019
NCAI Denounces President Trump’s Invoking of Wounded Knee Massacre and Battle of Little Bighorn in Political Attack
January 11, 2019
NCAI Applauds Decision by Little League International to Ban Racially Offensive Team Names and Mascots
January 10, 2019
National Native Organizations Unite and Urge the President and Congress to Re-Open the Government
December 2018
December 20, 2018
Statement of NCAI President Jefferson Keel on Broken Promises Report Released Today by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
December 13, 2018
Leading National Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Condemn Backroom Ploy by Washington NFL Team to Get New Stadium Deal through Congress
December 12, 2018
NCAI Applauds Congress for Passing Strong 2018 Farm Bill for Indian Country
Today, in a 369-47 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes a historic number of tribal provisions.
December 10, 2018
NCAI, Tribal Nations Eagerly Await Government-Wide MOA for Federal Agencies’ Full Implementation of Landmark Tribal Workforce Development Law
December 5, 2018
NCAI President Jefferson Keel Honors President George H.W. Bush
December 4, 2018
Joint Statement on the Fifth Circuit Granting the Motion to Stay the District Court’s Decision on the Indian Child Welfare Act—The Gold Standard Remains Applicable in All 50 States
Statement from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) judgment stay pending appeal
December 3, 2018
Joint Statement on the United States Department of Justice’s Decision to Defend the Indian Child Welfare Act
Joint statement on U.S. Department of Justice's decision to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act.
November 2018
November 29, 2018
OVW's Fiscal Year 2019 Grants to Tribal Governments to Exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
Now Open! OVW's Fiscal Year 2019 Grants to Tribal Governments to Exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction solicitation.
November 28, 2018
Justice Department Announces Funding Opportunities to Support Public Safety in Indian Country
Application deadline is 9:00 p.m. EDT, Feb. 26, 2019 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the opening of the grant solicitation period for comprehensive funding to Indian Country to support crime prevention, victim services, and coordinated community responses to violence against native women.
November 19, 2018
National Native Organizations NCAI and AAIA File Brief Opposing President Trump’s Attempt to Decimate Bears Ears National Monument
NCAI and AAIA Highlight the Dangers that President Trump’s Action Poses to Landmarks, Structures, and Objects of Cultural, Historic, and Religious Significance to All of Indian Country
November 12, 2018
NCAI Honors Veterans on a Historic Veterans Day
A Veterans Day message from NCAI President Jefferson Keel
October 2018
October 30, 2018
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Joint Statement on the Federal District Court of Northern Texas denying to stay the court’s ruling on constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act
(Washington, D.C., October 30, 2018)—The National Indian Child Welfare Association, the National Congress of American Indians, the Association on American Indian Affairs, and the Native American Rights Fund are disappointed that the Federal District Court of Northern Texas has denied a motion to stay their decision in Brackeen v. Zinke pending appeal by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This will likely cause great uncertainty and disruption for hundreds of vulnerable Indian children and their families who are currently in state child welfare systems within the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana, especially as we enter the holiday season and the Fifth Circuit moves forward with what may be months of proceedings. Indian children and families deserve better, and we hope that the Fifth Circuit will move quickly to consider a motion to stay this lower federal court decision.
October 16, 2018
National Congress of American Indians and Native American Rights Fund Oppose the Nomination of Eric Miller to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Today, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Committee adopted an emergency resolution opposing the nomination of Eric Miller to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) had previously sent a joint letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee expressing their grave concerns about Mr. Miller’s nomination.
October 8, 2018
Celebrating the Second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Though many continue to call it Columbus Day, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) again proudly joins the growing number of tribal nations, states, counties, cities, and school districts that are instead celebrating the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day. In so doing, we honor the enduring social, cultural, and political survivance of tribal nations that authored the original story of America.
October 8, 2018
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Joint Statement on Indian Child Welfare Case Brackeen v. Zinke Ruling
(Portland, OR, October 8, 2018)—In a decision published by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was declared unconstitutional, jeopardizing the landmark legislation protecting tribal children.
September 2018
September 12, 2018
Tribal Leaders and Congressional Members Convene For Tribal Unity Impact Days
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Today, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and co-sponsors kicked off a two-day event, Tribal Unity Impact Days, on Capitol Hill with tribal leaders and key members of Congress.
September 11, 2018
NCAI Objects to the Department of the Interior’s Decision on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Questions What It Means to the Future of Indian Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. | The National Congress of American Indians disagrees strongly with the Department of the Interior’s recently announced decision affecting the tribal homelands of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
August 2018
August 26, 2018
The Former Chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Senator John McCain of Arizona Passes On
WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona passed away, Saturday August 25, 2018, at the age of 81, with his family by his side at his ranch in Arizona. A Vietnam combat veteran and POW, McCain served in the U.S. Senate and was the GOP Presidential Candidate in 2008. McCain was a prominent member of the Senate serving on a number of committees including the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He passed after his yearlong battle with brain cancer.
August 25, 2018
NCAI President Jefferson Keel Honors Senator John McCain
“The National Congress of American Indians gives honor to the life of Senator John McCain and celebrates the time we had with him as a tireless champion for Indian Country and tribal sovereignty. The Senator dedicated many years to Indian Country," said Keel. "Serving as longtime member and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, he met frequently with tribal leaders on the Hill, in their community, and at our gatherings. In his last speech at NCAI Senator McCain said, 'We must listen more to you, and get out of the way of tribal authority.' As we close out the day, we extend our sincere condolences with the family of Senator John McCain.”