Tribal Unity Impact Days 2013

About the Event:

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) - in partnership with regional intertribal organizations, tribal nations, and other national tribal organizations - invites tribal leaders and tribal advocates to the 2013 Tribal Unity Gathering and Legislative Impact Days on Wednesday September 11 & Thursday September12, 2013. The Tribal Leader Briefing will be held September 11, 2013 with coffee/registration at 8:30am and remarks beginning at 9:00am. During the morning briefing, policy analysts will brief attendees on the current state of play for each issue area. Members of Congress will also speak on their commitments and priorities towards furthering the federal trust responsibility. The agenda is below and information on entrances into Dirksen are at the bottom.

The Tribal Unity Impact gathering will address several important issues affecting Indian Country:
• The Federal Budget & Sequestration;
• Carcieri & Land into Trust Issues; and
• Tribal Tax Policy

For the past two years, NCAI has hosted Tribal Unity Impact Days during the Fall Session of Congress. The goal behind the effort is to coordinate tribal voices around key issues in Washington, and make Indian Country's presence felt in the halls of Congress and across the Administration.

Hotel Information- price based on availability 

For more information contact Amber Ebarb: email aebarb@ncai.org or call 202.466.7767.

Tribal Leader Briefing Agenda

September 11, 2013

9:00 – noon

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628

Agenda
8:30-9:00       Registration and Morning Coffee
9:00-9:10       Invocation - Navajo Nation President, Ben Shelly
9:10-9:20       Welcome – NCAI President Jefferson Keel
9:20-9:30       Remarks from Congresswoman McCollum (MN)
9:30-9:40       Remarks from Senator Heitkamp (ND)
9:45-9:50       Remarks from Senator Tester (MT)
9:50-10:00     Remarks from Congressman Ruiz (CA)
10:00-10:10   Remarks from Congressman Becerra (CA) (if delayed, may speak at 11:30)
10:15-10:25   Remarks from Senator Begich (AK) 
10:25-10:35   Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, Kevin Washburn
10:35-10:45   Budget and Appropriations Briefing – NCAI and Navajo Nation DC Office
10:45-10:50   IHS Advance Appropriations – Ian Erlich, Maniilaq Association
10:50-10:55   Contract Support Costs – Geoff Strommer
10:55-11:10   Tribal Tax Policy Briefing - Del Laverdure
11:10-11:20   Carcieri and Land into Trust -- USET, Chief Francis, Penobscot
11:20-11:45   Other issues
11:45-11:55   Remarks from Congressman Pearce (NM)
11:55-noon   Closing

Door Access Notice

Due to the current sequestration, visitors to the Capitol and Senate office buildings can expect to see lines and wait times increase as several access points have been closed, causing an effect on other entrances. As a result, visitors should prepare to arrive earlier and become familiar with the alternative entrances. Please note that all doors are available for "emergency egress".
Visitor entrances and hours of operations are as follows:

The following doors will be open:
• Dirksen Senate Office Building:

o SOUTHWEST DOOR, First Floor
    Scheduled Session: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
    Published Recess: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

o DIRKSEN 24 HOUR DOOR, Ground Floor
    Open 24 hours*–7 days a week
    *Members/Staff Only 7:00 a.m.-l0:00 a.m.
 

Other Events 

Wednesday, September 11th
3:30pm To 5:30pm (Reception To Follow)

Tribal Leader Economic Development 
Briefing & Reception

San Manuel Band Of Mission Indians - Washington Office
422 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Closest Metro: Capitol South

Discussion Topics
Inter-Tribal Trade
Economic Legislation
Indian Country Tax Strategy
 

Thursday, September 12, 2013
8:00 a.m.

Please Join Special Guests Congressman Tom Cole and the Native American Community
For Breakfast In Support of Congressman Mike Simpson
Capitol Hill Club
300 First Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C.

Reply to Shelly Roy $2,500 Co-Host, $1,000 PAC/$500 Personal
(703) 470-1389 or shellyroy1@verizon.net

10:00-11:00 a.m.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has scheduled the use of the Senate Finance Committee hearing room (Dirksen Rm 215) for 1000 to 1100 on Thursday September 12th to meet with Tribal leaders who are in DC for Tribal Unity. CBP is going to speak on our new outreach, provide the DHS Tribal Resource guide, and open discuss DHS/CBP participation at the NCAI National Conference in Tulsa in October.

State, Local, and Tribal Liaison- Office of the Commissioner Director Arellano will be joined by the DHS Intergovernmental Affairs Director for Tribal Liaison, the DHS Office for State and Local Law Enforcement Deputy Asst. Secretary’s representative and we are tentatively scheduled to have a representative from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy to speak with on tribal engagement and outreach.

For questions, contact: BONNIE.J.ARELLANO@CBP.DHS.GOV.
US Customs and Border Protection
Office of the Commissioner
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20229
(202) 325-0775 office