PACK 2 December 22, 1993
Warm Springs, Oregon
SpilyayTymoo
Inouye recalls days when communication with tribes was difficult, time consuming
The federal government's obli
gation to Indian tribes is based on
treaty and the law of the land," said
Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of
the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian
Affairs, to delegates attending the
annual NCAI con
vention in Reno,
Nevada.
"You have paid
your dues many
times over. Of the
800 treaties that
were signed by tribes
and the government.
over half were never
ratified. Of the rati
fied treaties, all were
violated in some way. Indian war
riors have participated in every con
flict and war since the Revolutionary
War.. ..casualties among Indian
people during World War II were
higher than any other ethnic
time."
group....Il's pay back time.
Inouye reflected on the past fifty
years of NCAI. "....much has changed
in the last fifty yean. Most of the
changes have come about through
the sheer force of your will and deter
mination. Some of that change has
been aided by changes in
technoIogy....Fificen years ago, we
were forced to rely, almost exclu
sively, on the postal service to reach
you with the news of pending events
in Washington. Often, it took four to
six weeks for the mail to reach you.
And even if you responded immedi
ately, it look another three to four
weeks before we received your guid
ance and direction.
"Often, we could not move to the
beat of your drums we could not
hear your voices in a timely fash
ion and so, well-intentioned people
did what they thought you might
want them to do. Too often, we made
mistakes because we did not have the
benefit of your thoughts and your
experience.
"We could not see the world
through your eyes, and so we could
not understand the conditions which
you faced, nor could we divine the
solutions to problems that were
unique
to In-
d i a n
County.
ington
was a
long
way
from In-
d i a n
only in distance, not only in
time, but more importantly, in the
minds and hearts 01 Indian leaders.
"Washington was a place where
sincere but ill-informed non-Indians
made policies and laws that ultimately
Over the years, "...you
have paid your dues many
times over....tts payback
Daniel Inouy
affected your daily lives. Your input
and involvement was minimal it
had lo be. Community demands upon
your energies and resources were
more immediate. Communicating
with Washington was a luxury that
few tribal leaders had the time or the
wherewithal to
afford.
"Your atten
tion was fo
cusedas it
rightfully should
have been as
conditions around
you forced you to
do on your
home communi
ties, on your
families, on rela
tions with your
neighbors on
basic aspects of
survival food,
shelter, health care, education, the
development of your economies, the
protection of your natural resources.
"But as the world around us has
changed so dramatically in the last
fifty years, so has Indian Country.
"Today, there are hundreds of
thousands of Native people across
this land who have come to learn the
power that lies in their coming
togethcr....It is this power the power
that is multiplied when you join forces
with your brothers and sisters the
power that is found in coming to
gether for one purpose or another
that was undoubtedly the seed from
which the National Congress of
American Indians grew.
"....Though your numbers may be
small in comparison to the overall
population of this country, you have
found the means of making your
voices heard. You have taken a mo
mentous step in deciding that it is
you who will exercise dominion and
control over your future and the fu
ture of your children and grandchil
dren.
"The nation's capitol is no longer
a distant realm. Rather, it is a place
where you the Nauve people are
recognized and welcome. You have
assumed an important position in the
corridors of
"Washlngton...ls a place
where you are
recognized and
welcome....you are a
force to be reckoned
with. Your role, on any
lssuo....ls an Important
one." Daniel Inouye
power in this
country. This
you achieved
through your
own determi
nation. The
technology of
telephones
and televi
sions, com
puters and
telefax ma
chines came
along to en
able you to
have instantaneous communication.
"You have become, as you were
in the early days of this country, a
force to be reckoned with. Your role
in the national debate on any issue of
the day is an important role. No one
takes you for granted. The challenge
of your next fifty years as a national
voice for Native people and the path
you will take can only be determined
by each of you here and all of those
whom you represent Because, no
longer will a national organization
any organization have to speak for
you. Instantaneous communication
capabilities enable every tribal gov
ernment and every reservation com
munity to be heard.
"Lawmakers no longer turn to a
national organization and confine
themselves to whatever answers they
receive from such organizations, to
attempt to know and understand what
is happening in Indian Country.
"The committee, for instance,
regularly sends out letters by mail or
telefax, to every tribal government.
We ask what you want us to do.. .and
our answers come directly from tribal
f!Ovcrnmcnts and directly from tribal
eadcrs. Thus, to me, it seems that the
challenge of this organization in the
days to come, will be to adapt the
National Congress of American In
dians to these changing times in
which we live."
In conclusion, Inouye stated, "As
NCAI begins its fifty-first year, I
will begin my eighth year as a mem
ber of the Senate Committee on In
dian Affairs....! have learned not only
history but the art of survival as a
member of the committee." Inouye
explained the meaning of a native
word, ohama, which means family.
"This is not limited to blood relatives.
But also refers to a family of people
we hold dear. To me, you are ohama."
lL i , I
Miss Warm Springs, Merle Anne Kirk, competed in the Miss NCAI Pageant
while in Reno. Merle took the Miss Congeniatitytitle. She performed traditional
talent, using cultural items, and sang a song.
NCAI president excited about challenges of future, changes to improve organization
in a most powerful ana moving way. we
NCAI president reflects On past, truly have come together, here in Reno,
from the four sacred directions and together,
looks to future, and challenges we will lead to meet the challenges of today
and tomorrow.
tnrmo Indian nennh across the gaiashkibos spoke ot the meeting be
nation
Chairman of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band
of Lake Superior Chippewa, gaiashkibos,
The NCAI president had the opportunity
to testify before the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs concerning the Job Training
and Partnership Act (JTPA). "The JTPA pro
gram is good, with many success stories. I
stand opposed to any activity that would
compromise the integrity of the
program and diminish tribal con
trol over the program. It is impera
tive that we take every opportunity
to reiterate that the principles of
tween the ClintonGore transition team and
tribal leaders in Albuquerque, New Mexico
last fall. To gaiashkibos, that meeting was
"one of the most significant exercises of
sovereign authority of tribal nations in re-
also serves as presidentofNCAI. His bid for cent history....We presented to the transition tribal sovereignty and self-dcter-
re-election at this year's convention was sue- team our legislative priorities which included mination are applicable to all agen-
cessful and the next two years, mucnuxetne economic development initiauves, Nauve
past two years, will be full of challenges. American religious freedom issues, the sov-
Following is part of gaiashkibos' statement creign right of tribes to engage in regulated
to delegates at this year's convention. gaming activities, reorganization of the BIA
".-The struggle of our people over the in a manner which would facilitate effective
past centuries has been one against seem- relationships with the tribes, improved health
ingly insurmountable odds...truly a battle care for our people and better educational
against genocide. We have lost whole na- opportunities, among others. We also pur-
tions, our culture, our languages, our reli- SUcd an affirmation of the federal
gion, is still under attack. We have seen our government's commitment to the govem-
mother earth torn up and disrespected, first ment-to-government relationship with
by explorations, then by westward expan- American Indians and Alaska Native tribal
sion andfinally by industrialization. We have governments...We have made gains in many
been removed from our homelands to reser- of these areas and are maintaining a mean
ingful and effective dialogue with the Clinton
administration on a regular and on-going
basis."
that has never before been experienced.
Gaming has positioned many tribes on the
edge of economic self-sufficiency. Indian
gaming is an important issue to NCAI, not
only because of the economic benefits it has
brought to Indian country, but also because
vations, separated from our families, and on
far too many occasions, forced to live in
strange and hostile environments. The ap
proach may have changed, but the battle for
our cultural survival continues, as the many
small and non-fedcrally recognized tribes
can attest to many are taking their last
breath in their gust for survival. And we
continue to move forward together again and
again. I am sure that those who have gone
before us...are proud. Just as I am sure those
individuals who gathered in Denver some SO
years ago are proud to see that their dream of
a national voice for our people has come true
cies of the federal government."
'We have been active this past
year in the gaming issue and joined
the National Indian Gaming Association to
form the NCAIN1GA task force....Indian
tribes nationwide have invested millions of
their own dollars over the years into every
conceivable economic venture which showed
even a little promise to develop their econo
mies. While some have worked, many have
failed at great cost to the tribes and the
federal govemment....Gaming tribes are
erecting schools, health care facilities, li
braries and creating new programs indepen
dent of federal assistance. The result has
been an expansion of reservation economies
"We know..the loss of whole nations to
disease...The key is education of our
people, particularly our youth... "
gaiashkibos
education of our people, our youth in particu
lar and as leaders, we must set the example."
In conclusion, gaiashkibos stated, "Let us
not forget the rights and interests of our own
people and governments whose voice may
not be heard. I am encouraged. I am
hopeful. ...I am moved and energized by the
extraordinary number of registrants. Together
we compose the National Congress of
American Indians and together we will meet
the challenges of this day and of the future."
"...tribes have invested over the years into every conceivable
economic venture....Gaming tribes are erecting schools, health care
facilities, libraries and creating new programs...JNCAl supports
gaming because we support the sovereign governmental authority of
tribal governments....that sovereignty cannot ever be compromised."
gaiashkibos
we support the sovereign governmental au
thority of tribal governments as confirmed in
the Cabazon case. ..that sovereignty cannot
ever be compromised.
"Additional challenges include overcom
ing the fact that far too many of our people
live without adequate housing, are unem
ployed or underemployed, people are going
hungry and too few have access to educa
tional opportunities and too few are receiv
ing proper and adequate health care. We
must face the problems squarely and hon
estly. You know, some of our people., .believe
that AIDS and the HIV infection have little to
do with the lives of American Indians and
Alaska Natives. This is dangerous thinking.
With each new day, the AIDS and HIV virus
is spreading among our people. The rate of
infection is increasing among Native people
more rapidly than any other group. As lead
ers, we must become educated about the
disease and actively support efforts of pre
vention and AIDS and HIV education in our
communities. We know and understand the
loss of whole nations to disease. The key is
NCAI Executive Council
Winter Session
February 15, 16, 17, 1994
Double Tree Inn
Crystal City, VA
NCAI Mid Year Session
June 14, 15, 16, 1994
Hyatt Regency
Buffalo, N.Y.
Organization to build better tomorrow
As one of 16 NCAI standing committees,
veterans affairs are of major concern among
American Indians in the United States. Vir
tually all tribes have lost members during
conflict or war. Often times, however, many
Indian veterans are forgotten.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse
Brown, spoke to NCAI delegates during the
first day of meetings. Brown encouraged
organizations "to bring abut justice, social"
adaptation and "hope. All this will build a
greater tomorrow."
Brown theorized that the "Veterans As
sociation must remain strong if it is to carry
out its obligations to veterans. Our goal is to
provide quality services to all vets. We must
1)ut veterans first. Those who risked their
ives deserve respect and dignity," he de
clared. Brown asked "what are we doing to
ensure first class service to Native American
veterans?" Answering is own question,
Brown said, "reservation-based programs.
The real winners will be the veterans them
selves." He added that many veterans don't
take advantage of the veteran services now
available.
In closing, Brown said, "We have learned
our history lessons well. We have made
mistakes. We will not repeat these mistakes.
History, despite the pain, cannot be unlived.
But if faced with courage, will not be lived
again."
Assistant Secretary....
"Time is right for partnership" to fulfill hope
NCAI offers unified voice for
Indian people-
The year was 1944 and Denver,
Colorado was the city in which the
National Congress of American In
dians held its first formal meeting.
Indian leaders from across the United
States gathered in the "Mile-High"
city to discuss issues and establish
the organization's charter and by
laws. NCAI has grown during the 50
years since then to the oldest Indian
organization in the United States,
representing over 145 tribes with a
combined population of over 500,000
Indians arid Alaska natives.
Located in the nation's capitol,
NCAI is an advocate for Indian
people. Much time is spent concen
trating on legislative issues, most
recently including the proposed BIA
reorganization, reauthorization of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act,
the Tribal Court Enhancement Act,
American Indian Religious Freedom
Act and the Indian Gaming Regula
tory Act.
NCAI responds to the common
goals that unite Indian people. Issue
committees, located throughout In
dian Country, identify problems and
possible solutions. Areas of empha
sis include agriculture, economic
development, education, health and
social welfare, housing, human and
religious rights, Indian child wel
fare, jurisdiction and tribal govern
ments, litigation, natural resources
and veterans affairs.
The organization meets twice
yearly and is currently headed by
president gaiashkibos, a member of
the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin. He
is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam
conflict He holds BS and MA de
grees from California State Univer
sity, Fullerton.
Ada Deer, Assistant Secretary of
the Interior, in speaking to delegates,
said, "I had the honor of addressing
my first NCAI convention 20 years
ago. I appealed to you for your sup
port of the Menominee Restoration
Act, which reversed the ill fated
policy of termination. Later this year,
on December 22, my tribe will cel
ebrate the 20th anniversary of the
act's successful and historic passage.
Your support back then was critical
and your support today is critical.
Menominee Restoration is a vivid
reminder to me that change can oc
cur even against the most intimidat
ing odds."
Intalkingofupcomingchanges in
the Secretary's office. Deer said, "I
have a few things to report I have not
been asleep at the switch since July,
I realize honeymoons are short and
sweet so thank you for your patience.
Come January, I am pleased to an
nounce that Faith Roessel will be
coming on board initially as a con
sultant, and upon clearance, as
Deputy Assistant Secretary. She cur
rently is Director of the Navajo Na
tion Washington office and brings a
wealth of experience and talent to the
tasks before her. I also anticipate
having a new director of Economic
Development on board come Janu
ary and soon thereafter a director of
Congressional and Legislative Af
fairs. I am looking into creating a
special assistant for Indian Educa
tion in my immediate office, for In
dian education represents nearly 40
percent of the BIA budget, thus I
believe it requires a significant com
mitment on my part."
Since her appointment in July,
Deer has met with over 100 tribal
leaders and has traveled extensively.
"I said I wanted to meet Indians where
they lived and not just in Washing
ton. This travel has convinced me
that change has to occur, Indian policy
can not be developed in a vacuum.
The BIA needs to look at new ways
of budgeting, we need to reduce the
regulatory process and we need to
view tribes as partners and recognize
that it is in our collective interest to
be responsive to your needs."
Continuing, Deer said, "I don't
have a magic wand, but I do have a
resolute voice that has held Congress
accountable in the past and I am not
afraid to rise to the challenge in the
future. We need to re-invent govern
ment, fortified by the lessons of
history. The cornerstone of any new
re-invention should be tribal
sovereignty ...Soreform.re-invenu'on
and change are all possible, provid
ing the protection and advancement
of tribal sovereignty are at the fore
front of any new initiative."
Deer feels it is imperative that
government-to-government rela
tionships be strengthened. In that
light, I was successful in getting the
new tribal list published in the Fed
eral Register, which included a list
ing of Alaska villages. The list elimi
nated the confusion over inclusion of
tribal corporations and included only
those entities that have a government-to-government
relationship.
This will have little impact on the
budget...but it does strengthen the
tribal status in regard to their sover
eign rights."
Deer looks forward to launching
several new economic development
initiatives in the near future,"includ
ing ensuring that Indians have a vi
able role in determining their own
economic agenda in President
Clinton's Community Enterprise
Board initiative. We must control
our own destiny if we are to be em
powered. In this regard, I also intend
to host economic summits in South
Dakota and Alaska in 1994. They
will be devoted to creating effective
tribal, public and private sector part
nerships. We need to look at commu
nity based and inspired economic
ventures that stimulate and diversity
economic growth."
Deer, with all the enthusiasm of a
young girl on her first day of school,
looks toward the future with great
anticipation. "Hope, healing, com
mitment to change, are in the skies
all around us and they will be the
hallmarks of my administration. The
time is right for a partnership to ful
fill long held promises and address
long overdue injustices."
r