The National Congress of American Indians
Resolution #PHX-16-032
TITLE: Support for Additional Federal and State Funding for Post-Incarceration Programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives to Assist Those Convicted of Crimes to Re-enter Society and become Productive Citizens of their Tribal Nation and the United States
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, providing law and order and safety within Tribal nations is a fundamental trust responsibility of the United States under the treaties with Indian nations and consistent with the policies and laws of the United States; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement and protection of citizens within Tribal nations has substantially increased in recent years, and Tribal nations must now consider what to do with individuals who have completed sentences of imprisonment who wish to reenter society as law abiding citizens; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that reentry programs can be successful, and that tribes may benefit from using reentry programs that are tribal specific, or by using programs available through the state and federal governments; and
WHEREAS, funds are needed for such programs at the tribal level, and potentially legislation will be needed to permit tribes to establish such programs that can help tribal citizens to reenter society who have recently been released from a term of incarceration.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress of American Indians urges Tribes, including Alaska Tribes, Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice to: a) identify and determine eligibility existing programs that assist persons recently released from a term of incarceration; b) to work with tribes to develop tribal specific programs to assist individuals recently released from a term of incarceration; and c) identify sources of funding for development or initiation of such programs if they are not already available to tribes, tribal courts and tribal social services programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.