“We stand at the beginning of a new era for Indian Country, and for tribal relations with the United States.” - 2011 State of Indian Nations Address, Delivered by NCAI President Jefferson Keel About NCAI Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians serves the broad interests of tribal governments and communities. As a representative congress of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, we are united to advance policy and programs that: • Protect and enhance treaty and sovereign rights; • Secure our traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for our descendants; • Promote a common understanding of the rightful place of tribes in the family of American governments; and • Improve the quality of life for Native communities and peoples. NCAI is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization. By advocating for strong tribal nations, we strengthen the United States of America. Table of Contents 2010-2011 Timeline .................................................................................................................................................................1 From the President of NCAI ................................................................................................................................................3 NCAI Executive Board ..........................................................................................................................................................4 Executive Director’s Note .....................................................................................................................................................5 The Embassy of Tribal Nations in 2011 ............................................................................................................................6 Toward a New Era ................................................................................................................................................................7 2010 Annual Convention and Marketplace ......................................................................................................................8 White House Tribal Nations Summit ..............................................................................................................................10 2011 State of Indian Nations Address ..............................................................................................................................13 Executive Council Winter Session ....................................................................................................................................15 2011 Mid Year Conference .................................................................................................................................................16 New Tribal Prosperity: Influencing Governments in America and Around the World ......................................17 Launch of Let’s Move! in Indian Country .............................................................................................................................18 Effective Advocacy in the New Era ..............................................................................................................................19 Advocacy: A Year in Review ..............................................................................................................................................21 Initiatives in Action ...........................................................................................................................................................31 Native Vote .............................................................................................................................................................................32 Tribal Sovereignty Protection Initiative ..........................................................................................................................33 NCAI Policy Research Center ...........................................................................................................................................34 Partnership for Tribal Governance ..................................................................................................................................37 Youth Commission ...............................................................................................................................................................39 Fellow Program ......................................................................................................................................................................40 Communications and External Relations ..................................................................................................................41 Membership ............................................................................................................................................................................43 Staff Directory ........................................................................................................................................................................44 November 2010 December January 2011 1 NCAI President Calls for Indian 67th Annual Convention: Strong White House Announces Tribal Cobell Settlement Signed NCAI Hosts Tribal Leader Summit President Obama Holds Direct Talks Obama Announces Support for State of Indian Nations Address Country to Get Out the Native Vote Tribal Nations, Strong America Nations Summit into Law Preparatory Strategy Meetings at White House UN Declaration President Keel releases an audio PSA to The Southwest region hosted the 67th Attendees of the NCAI Annual Elouise Cobell meets with President In days leading up to the Tribal Nations President Obama meets with 12 tribal During his opening remarks at the second NCAI President Jefferson Keel delivers encourage Indian Country to Get Out Annual Convention in Albuquerque, New Convention learn of the next White House Obama after he signed the Claims Summit, NCAI and regional intertribal leaders in advance of the 2010 White White House Tribal Nations Summit, the the 2011 State of Indian Nations Address the Native Vote. Mexico. Convention speakers emphasized Tribal Nations Summit. Planning sessions Resettlement Act of 2010. organizations brought together tribal House Tribal Nations Summit. President announces support for the from the Newseum television studio in the important role of tribes in building a followed in the days after. leaders to establish a unified vision for Photo by Pete Souza-White House UN Declaration on the Rights of Washington, D.C. stronger nation. Indian Country. Indigenous Peoples. Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI January 2011 March April May Murkowski Delivers NCAI Releases Indian Country One Year Mark of Indian Health Care NCAI Executive Council Indian Country Leadership Native Nations Tribal Leaders First Meeting of the Indian Law and Department of Energy Summit Congressional Response Budget Request Improvement Act Winter Session Awards Announced Tax Summit Order Commission With assistance from NCAI, the U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, whose reelection NCAI’s 2011 Indian Country Budget NCAI, the National Indian Health Board, Former Senator Byron Dorgan (ND) Billy Frank Jr., advocate of tribal treaty Sponsored by USET, NCAI, and ATNI, The Indian Law and Order Commission, Department of Energy hosted tribal reflected the power of the Native Vote, Request outlined the fiscal needs of tribal and the Indian Health Service release the speaks at the NCAI Executive Council rights and natural resources, was one of the Tax Summit at Miccosukee brought established in 2010 with the signing of the leaders from 54 tribes to address critical delivers the Congressional response to the nations to support crucial services and report, “Moving Indian Country Forward: Winter Session. five recipients to receive a Native tribal leaders together to discuss tribal Tribal Law & Order Act, plays a critical energy and environmental issues in 2011 State of Indian Nations. programs for Native communities. Health Care Reform One Year Later.” American Leadership Award. economic independence and develop an role in implementation of the law. Indian Country. economic development strategy. Photo Credit: Department of Energy May June July Keel Honors Native Veterans at NCAI Helps to Launch Let’s Move! in NCAI Delegation Attends Australian Mid Year Conference: Carcieri Rally on Capitol Hill International Indigenous Summit on One Year Anniversary of Tribal Law National Intertribal Youth Summit Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Indian Country at White House Indigenous Congress Native Resources Energy & Mining & Order Act Tribal leaders gather on Capitol Hill to Tribal youth tackle some of the biggest President Keel and Native veterans present First Lady Michelle Obama, President NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Conference focuses on tribal cultures and rally against the Carcieri v. Salazar decision. President Keel joins Assembly of First Tribes applaud the important achievements issues facing Indian Country by devising a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Keel and Native youth plant the “three Johnson Pata gives a keynote address at the the economy. The 6th Annual Tribal Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo to of the first year since enactment . Pictured solutions and ideas to bring back to Soldier on Memorial Day 2011. sisters” in the White House kitchen garden. inaugural