Native American Rights Fund CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. page 3 Executive Director’s Report .......................................................................................................................... page 5 Chairman’s Message ...................................................................................................................................... page 7 The Board of Directors ................................................................................................................................ page 8 The National Support Committee ................................................................................................................ page 9 The Preservation of Tribal Existence ........................................................................................................ page 11 The Protection of Tribal Natural Resources .............................................................................................. page 17 MAJOR ACTIVITIES 2005 - NARF CASE MAP .......................................................................................... page 22 The Promotion of Human Rights .............................................................................................................. page 27 The Accountability of Governments .......................................................................................................... page 33 The Development of Indian Law .............................................................................................................. page 35 Treasurer’s Report ...................................................................................................................................... page 36 Contributors ................................................................................................................................................ page 37 NARF Staff .................................................................................................................................................... page 44 Main Office On the cover of the NARF 2006 Annual Report, and throughout, we Native American Rights Fund capture the “grandness” of our Indigenous “way of life” outlooks... 1506 Broadway through the skies and Indigenous star knowledge and symbolisms in Boulder, CO 80302 the form of the morning star, where each day begins... our first 303-447-8760 prayer, to the feminine energies asking for balance in our lives, to the http://www.narf.org true warriors of the people... the women, our mothers... protected by the messengers, the eagle, the hawk, all the winged ones... looking Alaska Office towards a better future for all nations, all my relations, walking in Native American Rights Fund beauty... together, down to the simplest of life forms. 420 L Street, Suite 505 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 This is the grand idea that NARF represents... through preservation, 907-276-0680 protection, accountability, promotion, and through development, NARF fights for justice for all of our Indigenous “way of life” Washington, D.C. Office outlooks... honoring our mothers, while working to create a better Native American Rights Fund future for our children... and we thank you, for all you do in 1712 N Street, NW supporting this venture. Washington, D.C. 20036 202-785-4166 Tax Status: The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a nonprofit, charitable organization incorporated in 1971 under the laws of the District of Columbia. NARF is exempt from federal income tax under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Contributions to NARF are tax deductible. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that NARF is not a “private foundation” as defined in Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. NARF was founded in 1970 and incorporated in 1971 in Washington, D.C. Page 1 Native American Rights Fund INTRODUCTION The Native American Rights Fund perhaps NARF’s greatest distinguishing importance, NARF’s financial contribu- (NARF) is the oldest and largest attribute has been its ability to bring tors have graciously provided the nonprofit national Indian rights organ- excellent, highly ethical legal repre- resources to make these efforts ization in the country devoting all its sentation to dispossessed tribes. NARF possible. Contributors such as the efforts to defending and promoting the has been successful in representing Ford Foundation have been with NARF legal rights of Indian people on issues Indian tribes and individuals in cases since its inception. The Rockefeller essential to their tribal sovereignty, that have encompassed every area and Foundation and the John D. & their natural resources and their human issue in the field of Indian law. The Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation rights. NARF believes in empowering accomplishments and growth of NARF have also made consistent contributions individuals and communities whose over the years confirmed the great over the years. Federal funding from rights, economic self-sufficiency, and need for Indian legal representation the Administration for Native political participation have been on a national basis. This legal advocacy Americans enables NARF to carry on systematically or systemically eroded on behalf of Native Americans continues its social development efforts in Indian or undermined. to play a vital role in the survival of country. Finally, the positive effects tribes and their way of life. NARF of NARF’s work are reflected in the Native Americans have been subju- strives to protect the most important financial contributions by a growing gated and dominated. Having been rights of Indian people within the limit number of tribal governments. stripped of their land, resources and of available resources. United, these financial, moral, and dignity, tribes today are controlled by intellectual gifts provide the frame- a myriad of federal treaties, statutes, NARF’s efforts could not exist with- work for NARF to fulfill its goal of and case law. Yet it is within these out the contribution of the thousands securing the right to self-determination laws that Native Americans place their of individuals who have offered their to which all Native American peoples hope and faith for justice and the knowledge, courage, and vision to are entitled. protection of their way of life. With help guide NARF on its quest. Of equal NARF’s help, Native people can go on to provide leadership in their commu- nities and serve as catalysts for just policies and practices towards Native peoples nationwide. From a historical standpoint Native Americans have, for numerous reasons, been targets of discriminatory practices. For the past 36 years, NARF has represented over 200 Tribes in 31 states in such areas as tribal jurisdiction and recognition, land claims, hunting and fishing rights, the protection of Indian religious freedom, and many others. In addition to the great strides NARF has made in achieving justice on behalf of Native American people, Page 3 Annual Report 2006 NARF’s Priorities One of the initial responsibilities of Out of the Indian approach to life there came NARF’s first Board of Directors was to a great freedom, an intense and absorbing develop priorities that would guide the Native American Rights Fund in its respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme mission to preserve and enforce the Power, and principles of truth, honesty, legal rights of Native Americans. The Committee developed five priorities generosity, equity, and brotherhood as that continue to lead NARF today: a guide to mundane relations. ✜ Preservation of tribal existence ✜ Protection of tribal natural Alaska. An adequate land base and resources control over natural resources are ✜ Promotion of Native American central components of economic self- human rights sufficiency and self-determination, and as such, are vital to the very existence ✜ Accountability of governments to of tribes. Thus, much of NARF’s work Native Americans involves the protection of tribal ✜ Development of Indian law and natural resources. educating the public about Indian Although basic human rights are rights, laws, and issues considered a universal and inalienable Under the priority of the preserva- entitlement, Native Americans face an tion of tribal existence, NARF works ongoing threat of having their rights to construct the foundations that are undermined by the United States gov- necessary to empower tribes so that ernment, states, and others who seek virtually every aspect of tribal life, NARF they can continue to live according to to limit these rights. Under the priority maintains its involvement in the legal their Native traditions, to enforce their of the promotion of human rights, matters pertaining to accountability treaty rights, to insure their independ- NARF strives to enforce and strengthen of governments to Native Americans. ence on reservations and to protect laws which are designed to protect the The coordinated development of their sovereignty. rights of Native Americans to practice their traditional religion, to use their Indian law and educating the public Throughout the process of own language, and to enjoy their about Indian rights, laws, and issues European conquest and colonization culture. is essential for the continued protection of North America, Indian tribes expe- of Indian rights. This primarily rienced a steady diminishment of their Contained within the