NCAI often releases policy papers on key topics, legislation, and milestones related to Indian Country. These policy papers are provided to inform tribal leaders, the general public, and members of the media about these aspects of NCAI’s work
Most Recent Policy Papers
ICWA Lexi Case Update
Last Friday, a California Court of Appeals affirmed, upon its third review, a lower Court’s decision to place an American Indian child named Lexi, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, with her extended family in Utah. The court’s decision is an affirmation of the fundamental principles of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), that the preference for placement with family members is strong and is in the best interests of children, and that good cause to deviate from those preferences should be found only in unusual cases, not through application of a generalized “best interest” standard.
Jul 12, 2016
2016 Mid Year Policy Update
This "Policy Update" was released at NCAI's 2016 Mid Year Conference in Spokane, Washington.
Jun 30, 2016
GAO Report: "Additional Coordination and Performance Measurement Needed for High Speed Internet Access Programs on Tribal Lands"
Feb 11, 2016
NCAI FY 2017 Indian Country Budget Request
This NCAI FY 2017 Indian Country Budget Request developed in coordination with national tribal organizations and tribal partners offers recommendations for ways the federal government should meet its trust responsibility to Indian Country.
Jan 20, 2016
Analysis of Cities and Towns inside Reservations
This analysis includes the overall population, both Indian and non-Indian, living in towns/cities inside reservations, as well as square mileage. According to the Census data in these analyses, there are hundreds of towns and cities within the boundaries of reservations that are predominantly populated by non-Indians.
Dec 18, 2015
FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations
The House and Senate Appropriations committees filed a $1.15 trillion FY2016 omnibus spending bill early Wednesday morning. The bill (HR 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016) rolls all twelve of the regular spending bills into one, providing updated funding and guidance to federal agencies through Sept. 30, 2016. The Interior-Environment bill funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service (IHS), among other tribal programs. The Labor-Health and Human Services bill funds SAMHSA, Administration for Children and Families, and Department of Education. The links to explanatory statements for relevant divisions of the bill are below.
Dec 16, 2015
August 2015 Native Children's Policy Agenda
National Native organizations Native Children’s Policy Agenda: Putting First Kids 1st.
Sep 22, 2015
2015 Tribal Impact Days Briefing Papers
Sep 16, 2015
2015 Mid Year Policy Update
This "Policy Update" was released at NCAI's 2015 Mid Year Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Jun 24, 2015
2015 Executive Council Winter Session Policy Update
Released in conjunction with NCAI’s 2015 Executive Council Winter Session, the “Policy Update” provides an overview, legislative updates, and administrative updates for a range of areas including: land and natural resources; economic/community development; public safety; human resources/social services; tribal governance; infrastructure; appropriations; international issues; and White House initiatives.
Feb 19, 2015
Analysis of President's FY 2016 Budget Request
Feb 04, 2015
FY 2016 Indian Country Budget Requests: Promoting Self-Determination, Modernizing the Trust Relationship
This NCAI FY 2016 Budget Request offers recommendations for ways the federal government, partnering with tribes, should meet the educational needs of Indian youth; provide adequate health care via the Indian Health Service, for both direct and self-governance tribes; ensure responsible resource development for the future; provide safe and secure tribal communities; and supply the long-term investments in tribal public infrastructure and services required to ensure every American Indian and Alaska Native enjoys a decent quality of life and has an opportunity to succeed.
Jan 22, 2015
Tribal Nations and the United States: An Introduction
The guide "Tribal Nations and the United States: An Introduction" developed by the National Congress of American Indians seeks to provide a basic overview of the history and underlying principles of tribal governance. The guide also provides introductory information about tribal governments and American Indian and Alaska Native people today.
Jan 15, 2015
NCAI Annual Report - 2013-2014: Successful Tribes, Successful America
Oct 20, 2014
FY2015 Indian Country Budget Request
Jan 29, 2014
NCAI Tribal Transportation Report
Transportation infrastructure development is critical to economic development, job creation, and improving living conditions for individuals and families in American Indian/Alaska Native communities, and the millions of Americans who travel through our reservations every day.
Nov 13, 2013
Ending the Legacy Of Racism in Sports & the Era of Harmful “Indian” Sports Mascots
The report details a range of issues: the harm stereotypes have on Native Youth and the overwhelming support for ending harmful mascots by organizations, tribal governments, the NCAA, high schools, community groups, and individuals. The report also reviews in depth the well-documented legacy of racism in the Washington football team’s history, including factual rebuttals to the Washington football team’s false claims that NCAI leadership at one point endorsed the use of the “Redsk*ns” mascot.
Oct 10, 2013
Honor the Promises the Tribal Nations in the Federal Budget
Apr 22, 2013
Analysis of the Sequester: Betraying the Trust Responsibility and Slowing Tribal Progress
If Congress does not replace or avert the sequester scheduled for March 1, 2013, forced spending cuts will undermine the trust, treaty, and statutory obligations to tribal governments that are funded in the federal budget. Not only would it sacrifice the federal trust responsibility to tribes, but it would thwart tribes’ ability to promote economic growth or plan for the benefit of future generations. The Office of Management and Budget estimates the effective percentage reduction will be approximately nine percent for non-defense programs because the reduction will be implemented over the remaining seven months of the fiscal year (FY).
Feb 27, 2013
Securing Our Futures Report
Released in conjunction with the 2013 State of Indian Nations, this report shows areas where tribes are exercising their sovereignty right now, diversifying their revenue base, and bringing economic success to their nations and surrounding communities. The path to securing our future – from education to food security, climate change to workforce development – is illuminated by the proven success of tribal nations. While the circumstances of each tribal nation are unique, the promising practices contained in the report offer a way forward to secure tribal economies and sustain prosperity for future generations.