Policy Issues

Committees and Subcommittees


Executive Committee

Economic, Finance & Community Development Committee

  • Housing
  • Economic Development
  • Finance Employment
  • Transportation & Infrastructure
  • Telecommunications

Land & Natural Resources Committee

  • Energy & Mineral Policy
  • Environmental Protection & Land Use
  • Trust Lands, Natural Resources, Agriculture

Human Resources Committee

  • Health
  • Education
  • Indian Child & Family Welfare
  • Disabilities
  • Elders

Litigation & Governance Committee

  • Tribal Gaming
  • Jurisdiction & Tribal Government
  • Human, Religious & Cultural Concerns
  • Taxation

Veterans Committee

Rules & Credentials Committee

Resolutions Committee

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) advocates on behalf of Tribal Nations and American Indian and Alaska Native individuals and communities on a broad range of policy issues. All of NCAI’s policy advocacy is directed by consensus-based resolutions that are adopted by NCAI’s membership. The development of policy position resolutions is designed to gather significant input from Tribal Nations and Native individuals and the process involves vetting of resolutions by subcommittees and full committees, before adoption is made by the membership as a whole. NCAI’s Policy Advocacy Team consists of both generalists and subject matter experts who conduct advocacy work in the following areas:

  • Appropriations & Budget
  • Cultural Protection
  • Economic Development & Commerce
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Infrastructure & Community Development
  • International Advocacy
  • Land & Natural Resources
  • Legal & Governance
  • Public Safety & Justice
  • Social Resources

The NCAI Policy Advocacy Team carries out NCAI’s mission by:

  • Monitoring government-to-government consultation sessions, federal agency rulemaking processes, Congressional hearings, and other announcements and meetings impacting Tribal Nations;
  • Developing policy positions and priorities via the NCAI committees process and developing strategies to realize those positions;
  • Advocating with Congressional offices, the White House, and at the federal agency level—including submitting consultation comments, formal rulemaking comments, and providing oral / written testimony—in order to advance NCAI’s policy priorities; and
  • Informing Tribal Nation leaders about federal opportunities for funding, new programming focused on Indian Country, and relevant changes to laws and/or policies so Tribal Nation leaders are better equipped to exercise their sovereignty and protect their communities.