National Congress of American Indians

Today, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we honor the resilience and contributions of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. From promoting sustainable development to living in harmony with nature and addressing the root causes and impacts of climate change, the influence of Indigenous Peoples is profound. We share United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’s commitment to upholding Indigenous Peoples' rights to determine their own futures and emphasize the fundamental importance of ensuring the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in global decision-making as a key element in achieving this objective.

📢 New Statement Release! 📢 NCAI applauds for President Biden’s nomination of Patrice Kunesh as Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Kunesh, of Standing Rock Lakota descent, has a distinguished career dedicated to public service and the advancement of Tribal Nations. Read our full statement on the NCAI website to learn more about Kunesh’s extensive background and her commitment to Native communities. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eYVmZRRH

If you didn’t attend this general session you REALLY missed out. Definitely one of the best sessions of the entire conference. We had three of Indian Country’s great legal minds on stage. We just had to invite them back for the 2nd Annual Tribal Leadership Conference. Geoffrey Blackwell - Chief of Staff and General Counsel for National Congress of American Indians Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General Geri Wisner Elizabeth Homer - Attorney at Homer Law and Supreme Court Justice for the Osage Nation

🚀 The Sentinel Episode Alert: Empowering Tribal Nations in the 21st Century 🚀 In the latest episode of NCAI’s podcast, we explore the recently launched Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty, a groundbreaking initiative by NCAI and @Arizona State University ’s American Indian Policy Institute—the first of its kind. 🌐 Hear our experts weigh in on vital issues Native communities face in managing their own data, information, and technology, and on the new opportunities this new digital age brings as we tackle one of the most significant issues for the future of #IndianCountry.🛡️💻 🎧 Listen now on all platforms or at blog.ncai.org.

From left to right: NCAI Secretary Nickolaus Lewis (Lummi Nation), Chairwoman Melanie Benjamin (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), NAFOA Interim Executive Director Susan Masten (Yurok Tribe), Councilor Joe Deere, MLS (Cherokee Nation), and Rochelle Morgan-Verdin (she/ella/ela) (United Houma Nation). From July 23-27, 2024, NCAI, in collaboration with NAFOA, took part in Te Hui Taketake a Te Puna Tahua Toa, the 2024 Global Indigenous Business Summit, held in Rotorua, New Zealand. This summit brought together Indigenous Peoples from around the globe, facilitating the sharing of ideas and fostering of connections that drive advancements in the global Indigenous economy. Attendees had the opportunity to visit local Indigenous-owned businesses, gaining insights into best practices. The program featured a range of informative presentations, engaging group sessions, and inspiring keynote speeches, including a powerful keynote speech from acclaimed Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis (Māori). NCAI Secretary and International Committee Co-Chair Nickolaus Lewis and NCAI International Committee Co-Chair Councilor Joe Deere participated in the summit as panelists, highlighting the role of Indigenous servant leadership on both national and international stages. Chairwoman Melanie Benjamin also participated as a panelist, addressing the challenges of language and culture loss and emphasizing the critical importance of language revitalization. During the closing ceremony, NAFOA Interim Executive Director Susan Masten announced that the next Global Indigenous Business Summit will be held in Seattle, Washington. Secretary Lewis and Councilor Deere received the summit "mauri," symbolizing the ceremonial transfer of the event's location from Aotearoa (New Zealand) to the United States.

From July 18-19, 2024, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) participated in the first of two United Nations Human Rights Council Intersessionals in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This meeting marks the first time that Indigenous Peoples were permitted to participate in a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council as Indigenous Peoples rather than under the auspices of NGOs with ECOSOC status. During the session, NCAI and NARF advocated for the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the United Nations as peoples.

Earlier this month, NCAI and @nativeamericanrightsfund participated in the 17th Session of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland. Through a joint statement delivered by NCAI's International Affairs Policy Lead Rochelle Morgan-Verdin, we stressed the urgent need for WIPO Member States to sign, ratify, and fully implement the World Intellectual Property Organization’s recently-adopted treaty related to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. NCAI continues to urge WIPO Member States to meet their commitments as reflected in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Join us in working to secure legal protections for Indigenous Peoples’ intellectual property rights as a means of addressing centuries of rampant misappropriation and misuse of Indigenous Peoples’ traditional medicinal knowledge.

🌟 NCAI is excited to announce new opportunities to join our dedicated team! 🌟 We are looking for driven, visionary individuals who are ready to champion tribal sovereignty and work to ensure that the voices of Indian Country are heard, respected, and empowered on a national and global scale. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to: 🔹 Work in an environment that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and cultural heritage. 🔹 Drive advocacy efforts to promote justice and well-being in Native communities. 🔹 Collaborate with tribal leaders, community members, and partners to drive impactful initiatives. Positions available span various departments, offering opportunities for professionals at all levels to contribute their skills and passion. Whether you are an experienced advocate, a recent graduate, or someone eager to make a difference, there’s a place for you at NCAI. Ready to take the next step? 🔗https://buff.ly/3zMQxXB

We are excited to share our wrap-up report of the 23rd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues! 🌍✨This historic session, held April 15-26, 2024, in New York City, saw a remarkable gathering of U.S. tribal leaders and Indigenous youth, highlighting significant progress in advancing Indigenous self-determination and global diplomacy. Representatives from NCAI, Native American Rights Fund, University of Colorado Law School, and The Implementation Project made powerful interventions, advocating for enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the UN system, meaningful climate solutions, and protections for traditional knowledge. 📝🌟 Your engagement is crucial as we continue to advocate for Indigenous rights on the global stage. Dive into the details of the discussions with the advanced unedited version of the Permanent Forum’s Report on the 23rd Session. ➡️https://bit.ly/3WrH1BP

📸 This is what #NativeExcellence looks like! 🌟 The 2024 NCAI Leading Tribal Nations Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School empowered more than 75 tribal leaders from 46 Tribal Nations and 18 Canadian First Nations. As a part of NCAI's Empowering Leaders Series launched in 2023, this intensive five-day experience provided essential tools for enhancing tribal governance, promoting sovereignty, and fostering thriving communities throughout #IndianCountry. Thanks to our partners, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Harvard Business School, for making this transformative event possible! Learn more about our programs ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eaxDMVug