MONDAYThe 2017 NCAI Mid Year Conference & Marketplace (Mid Year) pre-meeting day kicked off the week with a packed schedule of task force meetings and sessions covering everything from child welfare to the Farm Bill. Also featured on the afternoon agenda were several listening sessions hosted by the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the United Nations.

Rounding out the day was a spectacular Welcome Reception sponsored and hosted by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, which featured a buffet with dishes like buffalo meatloaf and pan-seared salmon. The atmosphere was further highlighted by live dance performances from Seneca Nation and Mohegan Tribe dance groups, and a special performance by Donny Most, formerly of “Happy Days”, accompanied by swing dancers. Thank you to our wonderful hosts and attendees for making the night a memorable one.

TUESDAYTuesday morning was buzzing with excitement as it marked the first official day of Mid Year and the First General Assembly. NCAI President and Swinomish Tribal Indian Community Chairman Brian Cladoosby called the meeting to order at 8:30 am and introduced the posting of the colors and honor song provided by Unity of Nations drum group, followed by an invocation by Mohegan Chief Lynn Malerba and a warm welcome message by Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown “Red Eagle”.

The NCAI Rules & Credentials Committee Chair Yvonne Oberly took the podium to present the Rules of the Convention, closely followed by the Resolutions Process Report from NCAI Resolution Committee Chair Juanita Ahtone who remarked, “I do this all in honor of my father’s memory.”

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“Sovereignty has to mean something, it has to be more than a name, it has to be that tribes decide for themselves what is right.”

– Secretary Ryan Zinke, Department of the Interior (DOI)

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State of Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy welcomed the crowd to his home state while acknowledging the special relationship between his office and Connecticut’s two tribes.

“NCAI has played an important role in having our country understand its obligations. We have a legal and moral obligation to tribal nations,” said Governor Malloy. “Connecticut has a great relationship with tribal nations and the state government. During my seven years as governor, I have worked to improve the understanding and relationship we have with the members of tribal nations. We have made great progress in that relationship.”

President Cladoosby followed Governor Malloy with the President’s Report and focused his remarks on the importance of recognizing the resiliency of tribal nations and Native peoples.

“This is a pivotal moment in our history…We are not victims, we are survivors. You are survivors. You’re still here, loud and proud. We have overcome past challenges. We learned how to play the long game. That’s what has enabled us to survive and persevere on our own terms in accordance with our own cultures and values,” said President Cladoosby.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke then gave his first address to a national gathering of tribal nations since taking office.

“Sovereignty has to mean something, it has to be more than a name, it has to be that tribes decide for themselves what is right,” said Secretary Zinke. “Not only should the department meet our treaty obligations but exceed our treaty obligations. I’m honored to be your champion.”

Secretary Zinke spoke about his commitment to tribal sovereignty, equal partnerships between tribes and DOI based on respect, and the need to address improvements within DOI, including at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

“My pledge is to work with you as an equal partner and be your advocate to fix a system that is broken,” said Zinke. “We live in a great nation, and we should not accept failure as a standard. We should not accept failure as normal. It is my pledge to be your advocate.”

Following his remarks, Secretary Zinke was honored in a blanket ceremony by two former NCAI Presidents Joe Garcia, Councilman, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor, Chickasaw Nation, both of whom are veterans joined by the Mohegan Tribe Chairman Kevin Brown “Red Eagle”. Zinke, who served for 23 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, was draped in the blanket honoring his service in the United States Armed Forces while an honor song was performed by Leander McDonald, NCAI Area Vice President and President of the United Tribes Technical College.

Directly following his discussion with tribal leaders, the Secretary met with the NCAI Youth Commission to discuss issues affecting Native youth. To see photos, visit the NCAI Flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncai/.

The First General Assembly concluded with the Tribal Policy Agenda: Opportunities vs.Challenges panel led by NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata that featured three tribal leader speakers: Roger Rader, Councilman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians; Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation; and Kevin Frost, Councilman for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

The panel discussed tribal priorities, Administration priorities, strategies to further economic development opportunities, and how to further tribal self-determination.

The afternoon sessions were stacked to the horizon with relevant and timely information, and panelists and moderators engaged in meaningful conversations about mental health, education, international advocacy, tribal lands and resources, juvenile justice, and tribal-state relationships.The evening concluded at the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s 25th Anniversary Reception at the High Rollers Luxury Lanes and Lounge with bowling, entertainment, and a private buffet dinner reception to celebrate tribal sovereignty and NCAI’s continuing mission to protect, enhance, and improve the quality of life of Native people.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy

President Brian Cladoosby

Secretary Ryan Zinke

Councilman Kevin Frost

Blanket Ceremony

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WEDNESDAYThe Sunrise Ceremony started off Wednesday morning bright and early, with the Regional Caucus Meetings close to follow, all before the Second General Assembly.

Called to order by NCAI First Vice-President Fawn Sharp, attendees were greeted with an invocation by Seneca Nation Councilor Steve Gordon. Sharp then introduced the first morning speaker, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai.

Chairman Pai started his remarks by mentioning a six-day road trip taken from Milwaukee, WI to Casper, WY to meet with communities about their access to broadband.

“It is my duty to shed a spotlight on the isolated communities who are being left out of the digital revolution. Rural and tribal communities deserve our collective attention,” said Chairman Pai. “If you are part of the 85% of people living outside of broadband zones, you are living in a different era. We don’t bemoan the digital divide for simple games, etc.—it is about equal and full participation in modern life. Not having internet access means not being able to find jobs, store memories of culture online, consult with physicians, etc. We respect your sovereign status—and we have consulted.”

Chairman Pai told stories of the effects on communities’ due to lack of broadband, including a woman who dialed 9-1-1 a total of 38 times but the call was never placed and she passed away.“We are looking to eliminate barriers to deploying wireless in Indian Country. We want to ensure the protection of culturally significant sites,” said Chairman Pai. “I encourage you to file comments.”

He went on to discuss his research into Indian Country and reiterated his commitment to digitally empower tribal nations and protect cultural heritage.

“I come to you with humility about my role—I can only hope to have the courage and focus of the eagle. My vision is opportunity for all tribal members,” said Chairman Pai. “There are no overnight solutions—I have a literal open door, with a figurative open mind to tribal nations.”The new NCAI Policy Research Center (PRC) Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux gave the Policy Research Center Update which transitioned to the opening of the 12th Annual Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum (TLSF).

This year’s TLSF theme was A Research Response to the Federal Policy Agenda: Navigating Infrastructure, Tax, and Health Care Reforms. The theme was inspired by the current priorities in Congress and the Administration including investment in infrastructural development, revising and simplifying the tax code, and repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). When tribal governments engage with these policy reforms, research and data are critical to shaping future outcomes for the benefit of tribal peoples. An expert panel presented data insights from both domestic and international fronts.

Did you participate in Native Vote? We’d love to hear from you. What did you learn? What worked and what didn’t? How can we improve? We want to know all about it. Take the Native Vote Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NativeVote2016

“We are looking to eliminate barriers to deploying wireless in Indian Country. We want to ensure the protection of culturally significant sites.

I encourage you to file comments.”

– Chairnan Ajit Pai, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Your feedback is valuable! Help us develop and evolove our next conference by providing feedback via the 2017 NCAI Mid Year Conference & Marketplace Evaluation.

Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCAIEval to complete the evaluation now.

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The presentations included: Economic Costs & Opportunities Lost: Tribal Infrastructural Needs in the 21st Century by Dr. Dick Todd, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; Why Beggar Thy Indian Neighbor? The Case for Tribal Primacy in Taxation in Indian Country by Kelly S. Croman, National Intertribal Tax Alliance and Jonathan Taylor, Taylor Policy Group; A Health Economic Analysis of an ACA Repeal & Replace by Dr. Tim McBride, Washington University-St. Louis; and Te Ahi Kaa Roa: Asserting Tribal Data Sovereignty in Aotearoa Government Negotiations by Maui Hudson, University of Waikato, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

To offer tribal leader perspectives and broaden the discussion, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairwoman Liana Onnen provided the tribal leader response for the researchers and fueled the tribal leader discussion.

The tribal leader discussion centered on the theme of data collection and the need for tribal nations to effectively collect and utilize data in their own communities to better tell their story and find solutions with local, state, and federal governments.

During the lunch break a Poster Session was held in the Ballroom Foyer. A total of six research studies were presented on everything from education and graduation rates to water to infrastructure.The afternoon Concurrent Breakout Sessions continued the TLSF theme with a focus on data. Sessions ranged from data collection on shared natural resources to economic mapping to data infrastructure. Other sessions included features on taxation and tribal homeland security.

Wednesday concluded with the Mid Year Meet & Greet at the Cabaret Theater at Mohegan Sun.

THURSDAYThe Third General Assembly kicked off Thursday morning with the invocation by Mohegan Chief Lynn Malerba, followed by the Association of American Indian Affairs International Repatriation Project from Director Honor Keeler.

“Our cultural items on the private market overseas number around 1 million. Tribal leaders created a working group on international repatriation,” said Keeler. “There are four key challenges of: (1) locating ancestors and cultural items in other countries; (2) navigating the laws of each country; (3) submitting claims to each museum, auction house, etc.; and (4) influencing international and domestic policy. Cultural repatriation is a human right issue.”

Mathew Tomaskin, Legislative Liaison at Yakama Nation, was the next speaker of the morning and invigorated the crowd on the importance of Native Vote and challenged each tribe to appoint a lead.

“We are encouraging every tribe to make a Native Vote program,” said Tomaskin. “If there is a position in a city, municipality—run a Native person. They’ll move from dog catcher to county commissioner, to legislator, and pretty soon, they’re in Congress.”

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Update was provided by Deputy Chief Counsel Rhonda Harjo, who gave an in-depth overview of current legislation in Congress.

“The amendments to the ACA are a work in progress,” said Harjo. “We anticipate some changes from what the House sent over—it’s still prime, it’s still necessary to weigh in. We are slowly pivoting to Indian Country.”

Harjo went onto say that SCIA is anticipating nominations for the Indian Health Service Director and the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Commissioner. SCIA is also conducting budget briefings while appropriations are going on, and they will also be focusing on narcotics, crime rates, and prosecution in the fall.

The 2018 Farm Bill Update on Regaining our Future was presented by Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, University of Arkansas School of Law Policy Director & Staff Attorney Colby Duren.

Fawn Sharp & Chairman Pai

President Cladoosby & Chairman Pai

Dr. Roubideaux & TLSF Panel

TLSF Tribal Leader Response

TLSF Presenter Maui Hudson

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“We believe the 2018 Farm Bill holds incredible opportunity for Indian Country—for food security, but also economic development and infrastructre,” said Duren. “The 2018 Farm Bill will probably be the last farm bill as we know it.”

The Tribal Supreme Court Update was presented by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Executive Director John Echohawk and NCAI General Counsel John Dossett.

Dossett started off his presentation with the exciting announcement regarding the win by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes in a Supreme Court decision made just the day before, which was excitedly met with applause by the audience. Read more about the decision here: “Standing Rock Claims Confirmed – Justice Demands Tribes Rights are Respected”.

The Third General Assembly concluded with Committee Reports and the voting NCAI Membership approving 36 total resolutions, including MOH-17-053 “Continued Support for the Paris Climate Agreement and Action to Address Climate Change” which was commemorated by a photograph of NCAI Members, tribal leaders, and attendees. Read more about the resolution here: “Tribal Leaders Vote on Resolution Supporting the Paris Climate Agreement at NCAI Mid Year”.

All text of the resolutions will be available on the NCAI website starting next week at http://www.ncai.org/resources/resolutions-home. To access copies of the presentations given during the 2017 NCAI Mid Year Conference & Marketplace visit the NCAI 2017 Mid Year app to download. Don’t see your presentation? Email NCAIPress@ncai.org.

Thank you to our incredible NCAI 2017 Mid Year Sponsors! You help make this work possible!

NCAI is only able to do our change-making work and host our Conferences through support and contributions from those partners in progress for Indian Country. Please consider becoming a member or making a donation to NCAI.

TLSF Poster Session

TLSF Poster Session

Mathew Tomaskin

Closing Color Guard

Colby Duren

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I’ve learned as Native American people and Indian Country, we have faced many challenges and we're certainly not anywhere finished.

- NCAI Youth Comission Member

NCAI Youth Commission Meet & Greet

Reflections on Breakout Sessions

On Monday evening, NCAI youth engaged in ice breakers and

general preparation for the week ahead. It was a great opportunity

for the youth to network with one another and build relationships.

NCAI President Brian Cladoosby and Chairman of the Mohegan

Tribe, Kevin Brown, also joined the youth. "Native youth are the

future," said President Cladoosby, while sharing his advice on

having passion for your work.

At the end of each day, the youth commission reflected on the sessions they attended, and thought about how the information they learned applied to their lives. One youth commission member spoke about the education challenges in her school. She said, "kicking kids out of school [for disciplinary reasons] doesn't teach them anything. It effects their learning and self esteem."

NCAI Youth Commission Co-President, Mikah Carlos, participated as a panelist for the "Where Healing Really Begins" breakout session on mental health, well-being, and resilience. She strongly encouraged tribal leaders in the room to listen to the Native youth in their communities, and ensure youth are at the table when discussing policy decisions that impact youth.

I am strong. I am beautiful.

I can do anything I aspire to be.

NCAI Youth Commission Vice President, Rory Wheeler, snaps a selfie with Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke.

NCAI Youth Meet With  Secretary Ryan Zinke

Personal Branding on Social Media 

NCAIYouth @NCAIYouth @NCAIYouth

"I learned a lot about Native American issues, such as mental health, and I realized that my community is not alone."

Follow NCAI Youth Commission on Social Media

Immediately following the Secretary of the Interior's remarks at the First General Assembly, the NCAI Youth Commission had an opportunity to speak with Secretary Zinke. One Native youth, who is passionate about the river that surrounds her reservation, asked about the preservation of sacred lands and the amount of importance the Secretary puts on the Clean Water Act.

The Native youth in attendance also had a chance to learn about how to develop a professional personal brand on social media. During this session, the youth wrote personal mission statements, within which many of the youth touched on the importance of being open-minded and compassionate leaders.