Livestream: State of Indian Nations
All eyes are on the president of the largest inter-tribal organization as he delivers the very first State of Indian Nations address in the Donald Trump era. Brian Cladoosby, the chairman of the Swinomish Tribe, has given three SOINs since becoming the leader of the National Congress of American Indians. But the one on Monday morning is the first with a new occupant in the White House. Since being sworn in last month, Republican President Donald Trump has not said anything about Indian Country. Instead, he's approved the Dakota Access Pipeline and revived the Keystone XL Pipeline over tribal objections and has vowed to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico without considering the impacts on tribes. "No Indians in sight as [executive order] allowing Dakota Access project to proceed is signed," Cladoosby observed on his Facebook page on January when Trump ordered his administration to "expedite" consideration the controversial project. Cladoosby is delivering the speech at 10:30am Eastern at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. It comes as hundreds of tribal leaders and tribal citizens are in the nation's capital for NCAI's winter session. Attendees are due to hear from a slew of members of Congress from both parties in the afternoon. NCAI WINTER SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:
Monday, February 13
1:40pm - Call to order by President Brian Cladoosby
2:15pm - White House Update with William Kirkland, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
2:30pm - Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico)
2:45pm - Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma)
3:45pm - Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma)
4:15pm - Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
4:30pm - Rep. Norma Torres (D-California) Tuesday, February 14
9:10am - Supreme Court Update
9:30am - Bureau of Indian Affairs Update with Mike Black, acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
10:30am - Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana)
11:15am - Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
11:30am - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California)
2:45pm - Champion of Change with Byron Dorgan of the Center for Native American Youth
7:00pm - 19th Annual Leadership Awards Banquet
Awardees include: Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) and Chairman Dave Archambault II of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Wednesday, February 15
9:00am - Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
9:45am - Indian Health Service Update with Rear admiral Chris Buchanan, Acting Director
10:00am - Alaska Lt. Governor Byron Mallott (D)
6:30pm - Reception at National Museum of the American Indian Note: All events at the Capitol Hilton unless specified.
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