As a member organization representing hundreds of tribes across the country, it’s inevitable that NCAI must juggle the interests of some tribal nations that are in conflict with the interests of others. But the failure of Cladoosby to touch on the most pressing issues facing tribes on the Great Plains is inexcusable.

While Cladoosby and NCAI were quick to take credit for the passage of the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act (that protects tribal citizens from being taxed for services their individual nation provides for them) there was no mention made of people like Mark Van Norman, Bryan Brewer, and others on the plains who did the real work necessary to get the bill passed.

As a tribal member and journalist who covers topics across the Great Plains it was incredibility disappointing to watch the largest and most influential lobbying group in the country gloss over important issues like pervasive poverty and the Keystone XL pipeline. No mention of the continuing epidemic of suicide on our reservations, or the reality that our people living in urban centers across the country are being shot dead by police at a higher rate than any other group in the nation.

Even though the speech was filled with several witty comments and attempts at humor, it would have been far more beneficial for Native people on the plains to hear Cladoosby express support for the growing number of frontline environmental protectors who have pledged to protect the earth by direct action. As bureaucrats and politicians make stump speeches, real activists and community organizers are preparing to defend our homelands and our water from those who want to exploit them. These people deserve the public support of NCAI.