In this episode of The Sentinel, we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act. Enacted on January 4, 1975, this pivotal piece of legislation marked a major shift in federal Indian policy. It authorized Tribal Nations to enter into contracts with the federal government for the provision of essential services. The goal was to shift control and autonomy of those services from Washington, D.C., to the tribes themselves. Join us as we explore the history and ongoing significance of this legislation to Indian Country.…

Part two of Episode 20 continues our exploration of NCAI’s international advocacy work and examines further how NCAI’s advocacy for Indigenous Peoples on the global stage ties into its larger mission of promoting tribal sovereignty. In this expanded conversation led by Rochelle Morgan-Verdin, NCAI’s Policy Lead for International Issues and citizen of the United Houma Nation, we hear from two additional experts who have been deeply involved in the organization’s advocacy for decades. They shed light on the history of NCAI’s international work, what progress is being made today, and what we can expect in the years to come.…

In this episode of the Sentinel, we explore NCAI’s commitment to international advocacy work. NCAI has recognized that its mission of promoting tribal sovereignty must extend beyond the borders of the United States and include the representation, participation and voices of Indigenous Peoples on a global stage. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion led by Rochelle Morgan-Verdin, NCAI’s Policy Lead for International Affairs and citizen of the United Houma Nation, the Co-Chairs of the recently formed NCAI International Committee, and key experts who have advocated for these issues for decades. Our listeners will hear from guests who are all steadfast advocates representing NCAI at international fora, carrying forth the organization’s mission globally.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we focus on the next generation of Native leaders. We are joined by three newly elected officers of the NCAI Youth Commission. The Commission was established in 1997 to provide a space for young tribal leaders to pinpoint issues of importance and strategize paths of action,then advocate for those issues on behalf of Native youth. In this lively discussion facilitated by Alison Black, NCAI’s Youth Leadership and Training Coordinator, we hear firsthand from the officers about their respective backgrounds, what being on the Commission means to them, and what they hope to achieve during their terms of office. Our listeners will be inspired by their passion, their knowledge, their hope for the future, and their commitment to advancing the principles of tribal sovereignty both within NCAI and within their own communities.…

In this episode of the Sentinel, we mark the one-year anniversary of the NCAI Foundation, established in November 2023. The Foundation was created to unlock philanthropic dollars and build sustaining relationships supporting tribal sovereignty and Native self-determination. The NCAI Foundation is the only one of its kind that upholds these core principles while holding itself directly accountable to Tribal Nations. Funds raised go to support Native-led programs addressing challenges in a wide variety of issues such as food security, health, and education. Greg Masten, President of the NCAI Foundation, and Dawn Knickerbocker, Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies, join us to report on the success of their efforts and the growth of the Foundation’s reach during their inaugural year. We also learn about the current landscape of Native philanthropy and the specific challenges that tribal communities and Native organizations face when accessing philanthropic dollars.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we examine the ongoing barriers and obstacles that Native voters face when accessing the polls. As we approach the 2024 elections, we examine NCAI’s legacy of advocacy on this subject. We also take a look at current advocacy and initiatives that will increase Native civic participation in the political process. We are joined by Dr. Aaron Payment (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), the campaign manager for NCAI’s nonpartisan, national Native Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign. Dr. Payment examines the barriers that Native voters continue to face to this day, one hundred years after The Snyder Act granted their long overdue right to citizenship. Join us to learn why this is an issue of critical importance not only today but also in the future.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the devastating effects that dams have on Indian Country. The construction and maintenance of dams cause flooding of sacred sites, displacement of people from their ancestral lands, and permanent disruption of the ecosystem and fish populations. These irreparable consequences result in the loss of traditional ways, vital resources, and quality of life in tribal communities. Join us and take a look back at the history of NCAI’s advocacy efforts against dam construction on tribal lands, which began shortly after the organization’s founding in 1944 and has continued through today. This episode also features an interview with Corrine Sams, elected Board of Trustees Member for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Treasurer of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission. Sams discusses recent progress in the Pacific Northwest as Tribal Nations defend their sovereignty and advocate for the removal of dams and restoration of salmon populations in the region. She also sheds light on the Biden administration’s recent report on the detrimental effects of dams in the Columbia River Basin, marking the first time the federal government has acknowledged the decades of harm tribal communities have endured. Listen now to learn more about the impacts of dams on Native people, the environment, and their intrinsic rights.…

As the growth of technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the issue of Tribal Digital Sovereignty is of crucial importance now more than ever. Join us on this episode of The Sentinel as we hear from experts who will help shed light on this subject. Listeners will learn about the recently launched Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty, a partnership between NCAI and Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute, the first of its kind in Indian Country. We hear from Geoff Blackwell and Matt Rantanen, experts in the field of Tribal Digital Sovereignty, who help us examine the unique challenges that Native communities face with governing their own data, information, and technology. This episode provides a deeper understanding of the intersection of technology and Tribal sovereignty, why it matters so much now, and why it is one of the most significant challenges facing the future of Indian Country.…

The survival of American Indian and Alaska Native languages is essential to the success of tribal communities and Native ways of life. However, without urgent and sustained intervention, far too many Native languages risk extinction within the coming decades. In this episode of The Sentinel, we highlight the urgency of this issue, and examine the creative and innovative solutions that many tribal communities are undertaking to counteract language loss. First, we hear from Daniel Golding (Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe), producer of the documentary “ Language is Life ,” which aired on the PBS network as part of the “Native America” series. Golding sheds light on the inherent challenges of revitalizing Native languages and his own unique personal perspective as he embarked upon learning the Quechan language. Next, we present segments from the “Native Language Preservation” panel discussion held at the 2024 NCAI Mid Year Convention & Marketplace in Cherokee, North Carolina. Representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe participated in a lively discussion at the Third General Assembly. Panelists recounted the challenges of language preservation, but also shared strategies, projects and techniques that have resulted in successful outcomes for their tribal communities.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we commemorate the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act, passed into law on June 2, 1924. Also known as The Snyder Act, this pivotal piece of legislation granted citizenship to all American Indian people born within the limits of the United States. Join us as we look back at the origins of this law, and its connections to NCAI despite predating the organization’s inception by two decades. We examine the intent and limitations of the legislation and the advocacy that NCAI has undertaken to ensure that all benefits of citizenship are conferred equally upon American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. As we approach the 2024 Presidential Election, the enfranchisement of Indian Country is a particularly pertinent issue.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the origins of the Farm Bill. Although not a common household name, this massive omnibus bill touches many aspects of our personal lives. It governs agriculture, regulates food prices, legislates food policy and production, establishes funding for food distribution programs, and much more. The first Farm Bill was passed into law more than 80 years ago, during the Great Depression. Despite the fact that agriculture is a large part of tribal economies, Tribal Nations have only recently been actively engaged in the drafting of this legislation. This episode examines NCAI’s history of advocacy to ensure Native voices are not just heard but deeply integrated into new iterations of the bill. Finally, looking forward to the 2024 reauthorization, we highlight the need for legislators to continue consulting with Tribal Nations. Integrating tribal perspectives into the legislative process is vital in shaping future agricultural policy with inclusivity and resonance.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we examine a critical piece of legislation aimed at remedying past injustices by addressing the treatment and repatriation of cultural items, objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, and human remains. Since its enactment in 1990, the Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has presented considerable hurdles for Tribal Nations, museums, and cultural entities alike. Throughout this episode, we will look back at the National Congress of American Indians' historical advocacy efforts leading up to the enactment of this legislation. Then, we will discuss the inherent complexities of NAGPRA and analyze the recent regulatory changes announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, examining their implications for museum practices, collections, and exhibitions nationwide.…

In this episode of the Sentinel, we celebrate the start of Women’s History Month this March by exploring the gender pay gap – an issue that not only affects Native women, but also their families and communities as well. As the United States recently commemorated the 15th Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, some news outlets have recently announced progress in narrowing the pay gap. However, deep and pervasive inequality still exists for Native women. In this episode, we discuss recent research stating their earnings at 51 cents on the dollar compared to white men. There is a critical need to address this statistic, so join us as we discuss this important subject that touches on issues of gender equity, economic well-being and security, family stability, caregiving, and more.…

In this Special Episode of the Sentinel, we examine the root causes of government shutdowns. Congress has resorted to continuing resolutions and stop gap measures to fund the government. Surely this seems like ‘the new normal’. But what does this mean for Tribal Nations, citizens and the overall economic health and well being of tribal governments and citizens? NCAI staff expert Matt Vogel, Policy Lead on Budget and Appropriations, joins us to offer key insights from his work on this issue. We uncover what is truly at stake every time Indian Country faces a looming government shutdown. We are sure this episode will be of interest to all of our listeners.…

In this episode of The Sentinel, we journey back in time to trace the origins of the Executive Council Winter Session (ECWS), one of NCAI’s three annual conferences. This policy-focused gathering of Tribal leaders happens at the start of each year and has its roots in the 1950s, during an era when Tribal Nations were fighting against the forces of Termination and threats to self-determination and self-governance. This episode provides insight into the issues that were discussed and resolved at the original meeting, and how many of them still ring true today. In the second half of this episode, we focus on the State of Indian Nations address, now an annual speech given by the NCAI President during ECWS. We will explore why leaders felt it was imperative that the NCAI President address the nation, just as the U.S. President offers an annual State of the Union address. Sentinel listeners will hear some key highlights and quotes from the first address in 2003, making it clear that many of the same challenges that Tribal Nations faced then have yet to be resolved.…