December 2018
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 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 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
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 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 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.”
August 24, 2018
Leading National Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Announce Joint Opposition to Washington NFL Team Locating New Stadium in District of Columbia
WASHINGTON, DC | Today, nine leading national civil rights and racial justice organizations formally announced their joint opposition to the Washington National Football League (NFL) team locating its new stadium in the District of Columbia unless the team agrees to drop the “R-word” racial slur as its mascot.
June 2018
June 28, 2018
U.S. Senate Confirms Tara Mac Lean Sweeney as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Today, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) announced the unanimous confirmation of Tara Mac Lean Sweeney as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior.
June 28, 2018
U.S. Senate Confirms Tara Mac Lean Sweeney as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Today, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) announced the unanimous confirmation of Tara Mac Lean Sweeney as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior.
May 2018
May 18, 2018
The McCollum-Cole Amendment on Tribal Victim Service Passes in the House Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. | The House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment offered by Representatives Betty McCollum (D—MN) and Tom Cole (R—OK) that would support tribal victim services programs. The amendment was adopted by voice vote with overwhelming bi-partisan support.
May 7, 2018
NCAI Commends Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for its Leadership on Derogatory Mascots
April 2018
April 17, 2018
NCAI President Jefferson Keel Responds to Senate Vote on Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Yesterday, the Senate failed to come up with the necessary votes to proceed with a full vote on the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, an amendment to the National Labor Relations Act that would include tribes in the same exempt category as all other government employers in the United States. The Senate voted 55-41 in favor of moving forward with the legislation, but this tally fell short of the 60 votes needed to prevent a filibuster.
April 16, 2018
Editorial: Support Tribal Sovereignty and Pass the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act
In life, timing is everything as they say. And the time is now for the United States Senate to take up and pass the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, a bi-partisan bill that has been pending for years that would uphold the inherent rights of Indian tribes to self-governance. TLSA would provide parity for tribal governments by ensuring they have the same ability as all other governments to regulate labor relations for our government employees.