FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2016

CONTACT
Jamie Gomez
ncaipress@ncai.org

NCAI Applauds Alaska Governor’s Tribal Advisory Council

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Alaska Governor Bill Walker announced the members of the Governor’s Tribal Advisory Council. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds Governor Walker and the advisory council, calling it a great example of tribal-state collaboration.

In a press release, Governor Walker announced the appointment of 11 tribal leaders nominated by their tribes to the advisory council. Members appointed to the advisory council each represent issues of relevance to tribes including economic development, education, energy and natural resources, healthcare, housing, justice, language and culture, public safety, subsistence, transportation, and wildlife and fisheries. The advisory council met in Anchorage with Governor Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott (Tlingit) at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to set the advisory council agenda moving forward.

“Governor Walker’s creation of the Tribal Advisory Council in Alaska demonstrates a commitment to tribes and tribal input,” says NCAI President Brian Cladoosby. “Communication and coordination between states and tribes is essential to effective governments that can benefit both Native peoples and all Alaskans. This move should become a model for other states to implement. I congratulate the 11 tribal leaders appointed to the advisory council to represent their communities and the interests of Alaska Native peoples to their state government.”

NCAI is an advocate for building and strengthening state-tribal relationships because tribal nations and states share a range of common interests. Both tribes and states share responsibility to use public resources effectively and efficiently. They both seek to provide comprehensive services such as education, health care, and law enforcement to their respective citizens. Additionally, both have interconnected interests in safeguarding the environment while maintaining healthy and diversified economies. More information and resources on state-tribal relations work is available here.

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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 www.ncai.org.