National Congress of American Indians explained

National Congress of American Indians
Logo Alt:National Congress of American Indians logo
Abbreviation:NCAI
Registration Id:EIN 53-0210846
Purpose:Public affairs, ethnic and racial minority rights, cultural awareness
Headquarters:Embassy of Tribal Nations
Location:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Mark Macarro (Pechanga)
Leader Title2:First Vice President
Leader Name2:Brian Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag)
Leader Title3:Secretary
Leader Name3:Nickolaus D. Lewis (Lummi)
Leader Title4:Treasurer
Leader Name4:David Woerz (Chickasaw

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is an American Indian and Alaska Native rights organization. It was founded in 1944[1] to represent the tribes and resist U.S. federal government pressure for termination of tribal rights and assimilation of their people. These were in contradiction of their treaty rights and status as sovereign entities. The organization continues to be an association of federally recognized and state-recognized Indian tribes.

Organization

NCAI was founded in 1944 and incorporated as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, in 1962.[2] The organizational structure of the National Congress of American Indians includes a General Assembly, an Executive Council, and seven committees.

In addition to the four executive positions, the NCAI executive board also consists of 12 area vice presidents and 12 alternative area vice presidents.[3]

Chuck Trimble was the former chief executive.[4]

Current administration

The executive board of the NCAI is as follows:

History

Native Americans in the United States have independent governments and distinct cultures, histories, and territories. However, the need to create a unified voice in dealing with the U.S. federal government led to an intertribal coalition.

In the 20th century, a generation of Native Americans came of age who were educated in intertribal boarding schools. They began thinking with a broad pan-Native American vision and learned to form alliances across tribes. They increasingly felt the need to work together politically to exert their power in dealing with the United States federal government. In addition, with the efforts after 1934 to reorganize tribal governments, activists believed that Indians had to work together to strengthen their political position. Activists formed the National Congress of American Indians to find ways to organize the tribes to deal in a more unified way with the US government. They wanted to challenge the government on its failure to implement treaties, to work against the tribal termination policy, and to improve public opinion of and appreciation for Indian cultures.

The NCAI's initial organization was largely created by Native American men who worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and represented many tribes. Among this group was D'Arcy McNickle of the BIA.[6] [7] At the second national convention, Indian women attended as representatives in numbers equal to the men. The convention decided that BIA employees should be excluded from serving as general officers or members of the executive committee. The first president of the NCAI was Napoleon B. Johnson, a judge in Oklahoma. Dan Madrano (Caddo) was the first secretary-treasurer; he also had been serving as an elected member of the Oklahoma State Legislature.[8] From 1945 to 1952, the executive secretary of the NCAI was Ruth Muskrat Bronson (Cherokee), who established the organization's legislative news service.[9] Bronson's work was largely voluntary, as the organization could not afford to pay her to act as its executive secretary.

In 1950, John Rainer became the first paid executive director of NCAI. He was replaced by Bronson in 1951, who resigned in 1952. Frank George, a Nez Perce from the Colville Indian Reservation, briefly held the post before Helen Peterson (Cheyenne-Lakota) took over the post as the executive director of the organization in 1953. That same year, W. W. Short replaced Johnson as president of NCAI. In 1954, Short was replaced by Joseph Garry (Coeur d'Alene), a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. Garry significantly enlarged the organizational direction away from its focus on issues of Native Americans in the Great Plains and the Southwest, making it more inclusive of tribes in the Midwest and Northwest.

In 1966, the NCAI mustered nearly 80 tribal leaders from 62 tribes to protest their exclusion from a US-Congress sponsored conference on reorganizing the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs). The congressional event was organized by Morris Udall, chairman of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to discuss the reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Udall eventually allowed the NCAI representatives to attend. He confirmed that the Tribal Advisory Commission, composed of tribe members, would be created to advise him.[10]

During the late 20th century, NCAI contributed to gaining legislation to protect and preserve Indian culture, including NAGPRA. They worked with the tribes to assert their sovereignty in dealing with the federal government.

In the early 21st century, key goals of the NCAI are:

On November 3, 2009, the Embassy of Tribal Nations was opened in Washington D.C.[11] The building serves as a headquarters and central meeting place for the NCAI.[11]

In 2013, the NCAI passed a resolution to establish a National American Indian Holocaust Museum space inside a museum of the Smithsonian Institution. However, the Smithsonian has been uncooperative.[12]

In 2017, the NCAI took over the assets of the Indian Country Media Network, which were donated by the Oneida Indian Nation in New York. In March 2021, the publication became independent from the NCAI.[13] “This is an exciting time for Indian Country Today to become fiscally independent and to continue its tradition of an autonomous free press," NCAI President Fawn Sharpsaid in a press release regarding the change. “This is a new day for ICT, which has a long history as a premier source of news for and about Indigenous communities, written and produced by Indigenous journalists.” The publication's current president and CEO is Karen Michel, Ho Chunk.

In 2023, NCAI founded the NCAI Foundation (NCAIF) to promote philanthropy by and for Native American communities.[14]

Constitution

The NCAI Constitution says that its members seek to provide themselves and their descendants with the traditional laws, rights, and benefits. It lists the by-laws and rules of order regarding membership, powers, and dues. There are four classes of membership: tribal, Indian individual, individual associate, and organization associate. Voting rights are reserved for tribal and Indian individual members. According to section B of Article III regarding membership, any tribe, band or group of American Indians and Alaska Natives shall be eligible for tribal membership provided it fulfills the following requirements:

Achievements

The NCAI has maintained a policy of non-protesting. During the 1960s NCAI carried a banner with the slogan, "INDIANS DON'T DEMONSTRATE":[15]

Internal policy differences

In the early 1960s, a shift in attitude occurred. Many young American Indians branded the older generation as sell-outs and called for harsh militancy. Two important militant groups were born: the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the National Indian Youth Council (NIYC). The two groups protested several conventions.

In 2023, two proposed amendments to the NCAI constitution were proposed which would remove state-recognized tribes from full tribal membership to only associate non-voting tribal membership, as well as require candidates for NCAI national leadership to be enrolled members of federally-recognized tribes. The amendments received the vocal support of the principal chiefs of several federally-recognized tribes including the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Ironically the NCAI had been founded to assert both civil and tribal rights by declaring that the common welfare of Native Americans required the preservation of cultural values. After 80 years of existence, NCAI membership has gone from 270 member tribes to 146 member tribes.[17]

Ongoing issues

The NCAI has been advocating for improved living conditions on reservations, arguing that 560 tribes are federally recognized but fewer than 20 tribes gain profits from casinos to turn the tribe's economy around. Other issues and topics include:

In 2001, the advertising firm of DeVito/Verdi created an advertising campaign and poster for the NCAI to highlight offensive and racist sports team images and mascots.[19] In October 2013, the NCAI published a report on sports teams using harmful and racial "Indian" mascots.[20]

Past leadership

Past leadership[21]
YearMeeting locationPresidentExecutive Director
1944Denver, CONapoleon B. Johnson, CherokeeRuth Muskrat Bronson, Cherokee
1945Browning, MTN.B. JohnsonRuth Muskrat Bronson
1946Oklahoma City, OKN.B. JohnsonRuth Muskrat Bronson
1947Santa Fe, NMN.B. JohnsonRuth Muskrat Bronson
1948Denver, CON.B. JohnsonRuth Muskrat Bronson
1949Rapid City, SDN.B. JohnsonLouis R. Bruce, St. Regis Mohawk,
Edward Rogers, Minnesota Chippewa
1950Bellingham, WAN.B. JohnsonJohn C. Rainer, Taos Pueblo
1951St. Paul, MNN.B. JohnsonRuth Muskrat Bronson, Cherokee
1952Denver, CON.B. JohnsonFrank George, Colville
1953Phoenix, AZJoseph R. Garry, Coeur D'AleneHelen Peterson, Oglala Lakota
1954Omaha, NEJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1955Spokane, WAJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1956Salt Lake City, UTJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1957Claremore, OKJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1958Missoula, MTJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1959Phoenix, AZJoseph R. GarryHelen Peterson
1960Denver, COWalter Wetzel, BlackfeetRobert Burnett, Rosebud Sioux
1961Lewiston, IDWalter WetzelRobert Burnett
1962Cherokee, NCWalter WetzelRobert Burnett
1963Bismarck, NDWalter WetzelRobert Burnett
1964Sheridan, WYWalter WetzelVine Deloria Jr., Standing Rock Sioux
1965Scottsdale, AZClarence Wesley, San Carlos ApacheVine Deloria, Jr.
1966Oklahoma City, OKClarence WesleyVine Deloria, Jr.
1967Portland, ORWendell Chino, Mescalero ApacheVine Deloria, Jr.
1968Omaha, NEWendell ChinoJohn Belindo, Navajo/Kiowa
1969Albuquerque, NMEarl Old Person, BlackfeetBruce Wilkie, Makah
1970Anchorage, AKEarl Old PersonFranklin Ducheneaux, Cheyenne River Sioux
1971Reno, NVLeon F. Cook, Red Lake ChippewaLeo W. Vocu, Oglala Sioux
1972Sarasota, FLLeon F. CookCharles Trimble, Oglala Sioux
1973Tulsa, OKMel Tonasket, ColvilleCharles Trimble
1974San Diego, CAMel TonasketCharles Trimble
1975Portland, ORMel TonasketCharles Trimble
1976Salt Lake City, UTMel TonasketCharles Trimble
1977Dallas, TXVeronica L. Murdock, Mohave (Colorado River Indian Tribes)Charles Trimble
1978Rapid City, SDVeronica L. MurdockAndrew E. Ebona, Tlingit
1979Albuquerque, NMEdward Driving Hawk, SiouxRonald Andrade, Luiseño/Kumeyaay
1980Spokane, WAEdward Driving HawkRonald Andrade
1981Anchorage, AKJoseph DeLaCruz, QuinaultRonald Andrade
1982Bismarck, NDJoseph DeLaCruzRonald Andrade
1983Green Bay, WIJoseph DeLaCruzSilas Whitman, Nez Perce
1984Spokane, WAJoseph DeLaCruzSuzan Shown Harjo, Cheyenne/Muscogee
1985Tulsa, OKReuben A. Snake, Jr., Winnebago Tribe of NebraskaSuzan Shown Harjo
1986Phoenix, AZReuben A. Snake, Jr.Suzan Shown Harjo
1987Tampa, FLReuben A. Snake, Jr.Suzan Shown Harjo
1988Sioux City, SDJohn Gonzales, San Ildefonso PuebloSuzan Shown Harjo
1989Oklahoma City, OKJohn GonzalesSuzan Shown Harjo
1990Albuquerque, NMWayne L. Ducheneaux, Cheyenne River SiouxA. Gay Kingman, Cheyenne River Sioux
1991San Francisco, CAWayne L. DucheneauxA. Gay Kingman
1992Arlington, VAgaiashkibos, Lac Courte OreillesMichael J. Anderson, Creek/Choctaw
1993Reno, NVgaiashkibosRachel A. Joseph, Shoshone/Paiute/Mono
1994Denver, COgaiashkibosJoAnn K. Chase, Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara
1995San Diego, CAgaiashkibosJoAnn K. Chase
1996Phoenix, AZW. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’KlallamJoAnn K. Chase
1997Santa Fe, NMW. Ron AllenJoAnn K. Chase
1998Myrtle Beach, SCW. Ron AllenJoAnn K. Chase
1999Palm Springs, CAW. Ron AllenJoAnn K. Chase
2000St. Paul, MNSusan Masten, YurokJoAnn K. Chase
2001Spokane, WASusan MastenJacqueline Johnson, Tlingit
2002San Diego, CATex G. Hall, Mandan/Hidatsa/ArikaraJacqueline Johnson
2003Albuquerque, NMTex HallJacqueline Johnson
2004Fort Lauderdale, FLTex HallJacqueline Johnson
2005Tulsa, OKTex HallJacqueline Johnson
2006Sacramento, CAJoe A. Garcia, Ohkay OwingehJacqueline Johnson
2007Denver, COJoe A. GarciaJacqueline Johnson
2008Phoenix, AZJoe A. GarciaJacqueline Johnson Pata
2009Palm Springs, CAJoe A. GarciaJacqueline Johnson Pata
2010Albuquerque, NMJefferson Keel, ChickasawJacqueline Johnson Pata
2011Portland, ORJefferson KeelJacqueline Johnson Pata
2012Sacramento, CAJefferson KeelJacqueline Johnson Pata
2013Tulsa, OKJefferson KeelJacqueline Johnson Pata
2014Atlanta, GeorgiaBrian Cladoosby, SwinomishJacqueline Johnson Pata
2015San Diego, CABrian CladoosbyJacqueline Johnson Pata
2016Phoenix, AZBrian CladoosbyJacqueline Pata
2017Milwaukee, WIBrian CladoosbyJacqueline Pata
2018Denver, COJefferson KeelJacqueline Pata
2019Albuquerque, NMJefferson KeelKevin Allis
2020Fawn Sharp, Quinault
2021Fawn Sharp
2022Fawn SharpJefferson Keel
2023New Orleans, LAMark Macarro, Pechanga

Notable members

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Cowger, Thomas W. The National Congress of American Indians: The Founding Years. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1999.
  2. Web site: National Congress of American Indians . GuideStar . January 7, 2024.
  3. News: CN's Byrd re-elected to NCAI district post . 7 January 2024 . Tahlequah Daily Press . October 26, 2017.
  4. Web site: Native American journalist, activist Chuck Trimble dies. Star Tribune.
  5. News: Rickert . Levi . National Congress of American Indians Swears in Newly Elected 2023-2025 Executive Committee . 7 January 2024 . Native News Online . Yahoo News . November 18, 2023.
  6. Rosier . Paul C. . The Association on American Indian Affairs and the Struffle for Native American Rights, 1948–1965 . The Princeton University Library Chronicle . Winter 2006 . 67 . 2 . 368 . 10.25290/prinunivlibrchro.67.2.0366 . 10.25290/prinunivlibrchro.67.2.0366 . January 7, 2024.
  7. Book: Parker, Dorothy R. . Singing an Indian Song: A Biography of D'Arcy McNickle . University of Nebraska Press . 1992 . 978-0803236875 . Lincoln . 106.
  8. Alison R. Bernstein. American Indian and World War II: Toward a New Era in Indian Affairs (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991) p. 116-119
  9. Book: Ware. Susan. Braukman. Stacy . Harvey. Gretchen G. . Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary Completing the Twentieth Century . https://books.google.com/books?id=WSaMu4F06AQC&pg=PA80 . 5 . 2004 . Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 978-0-674-01488-6 . Bronson, Ruth Muskrat. 80–82.
  10. Book: Champagne, Duane. The Native North American Almanac. Gale Group. 2001. 978-0787616557. Farmington Hills, MI.
  11. 2009 . Obama Administration Meets With Tribal Leaders To Discuss Public Safety Needs in Indian Country . 2023-03-09 . PsycEXTRA Dataset. 10.1037/e502062010-003 .
  12. News: Ict News . Peter D'Errico . Native American Genocide or Holocaust? . January 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220324051707/https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/native-american-genocide-holocaust . March 24, 2022.
  13. Web site: Oneida Nation to Donate Indian Country Today Media Network Assets to NCAI. October 4, 2017. Indian Country Media Network. en-US. January 20, 2018.
  14. News: Rickert . Levi . National Congress of American Indians Establishes Foundation to Increase Philanthropic Funding in Indian Country . January 7, 2024 . Native News Online.
  15. Shreve, Bradley G. "From Time Immemorial: The Fish-in Movement and the Rise of the Intertribal Activism." Pacific Historical Review. 78.3 (2009): 403-434
  16. Web site: California Becomes First State to Ban 'Redskins' Nickname . NBC News . October 12, 2015 .
  17. Web site: Rickert . Levi . 2023-11-14 . NCAI Faces Controversial Constitutional Amendments to Remove State Recognized Tribes . 2023-11-15 . Native News Online . en-GB.
  18. https://www.voteriders.org/partners/ VoteRiders Partner Organizations
  19. News: Roller . Emma . Old Poster Goes Viral, Teaches Multiple Lessons . Slate . October 10, 2013 . August 31, 2016 .
  20. News: NCAI Releases Report on History and Legacy of Washington's Harmful "Indian" Sports Mascot . January 7, 2024 . Latino Rebels . October 10, 2013.
  21. Web site: Previous NCAI Leadership . www.ncai.org.
  22. Fisher . Andrew H. . Speaking for the First Americans: Nipo Strongheart and the campaign for American Indian citizenship. . Oregon Historical Quarterly . 114 . 4 . 441–452. Winter 2013 . 0030-4727 . August 22, 2014. 10.5403/oregonhistq.114.4.0441 . 159734621 .