The National Congress of American Indians is getting ready to kick of its executive council winter session in Washington DC. #ECWS2019 #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/eWdqXr5FRi
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
President Jefferson Keel calls the executive council winter session of the National Congress of American Indians to order. Tribal leaders will hear from key members of Congress and senior federal officials at the meeting in Washington DC. #ECWS19 #ECWS2019 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/vLHzGKQ9NI
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) is speaking at the executive council winter session of the National Congress of American Indians. He is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. #ECWS2019 #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 @TomColeOK04 pic.twitter.com/XYzEwfpPBV
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) addresses the issue on everyone’s mind. “My instinct tells me that we will avoid a shutdown,” Cole tells the National Congress of American Indians. He doesn’t know details yet but remains confident a deal will pass. #ECWS19 @TomColeOK04 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/6B226RhZSb
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) is making her first appearance before the National Congress of American Indians. She is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna and is one of the first two Native women to serve in the US House of Representatives. #ECWS19 #ECWS2019 @RepDebHaaland @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/gzhIHbUt2l
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) tells National Congress of American Indians “I have been a single mother who has struggled financially. I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck.” #ECWS19 #ECWS2019 @RepDebHaaland @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/qlw6aulfbq
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. She serves on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. She brought Minnesota Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Nation) as her guest to the #SOTU #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/F2ueFTzYzb
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tells National Congress of American Indians “Cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women aren’t just invisible in the news...This is completely unacceptable.” #MMIW #MMIWG #ECWS19 @SenTinaSmith @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/3xYl5ANIx2
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Speaking of Peggy Flanagan she is here too! She serves as Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota and is the highest ranking Native woman in executive office. She is a citizen of the White Earth Nation. #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 @LtGovFlanagan pic.twitter.com/ChH9duPfCU
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota says forthcoming state budget will fund task force on missing and murdered Indigenous women. “Native women are at best invisible and at worst disposable. This must end.” #MMIW #MMIWG #ECWS19 @LtGovFlanagan pic.twitter.com/vFgGq7iRCS
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. He serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. #ECWS19 @SenatorTomUdall pic.twitter.com/OyYV1yTGmi
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) tells National Congress of American Indians he is working to make the tribal set aside in the national Crime Victims Fund permanent. Tribes finally got access to a small portion — about $133 million — last year but it’s only temporary. #ECWS19 @senudin0512 pic.twitter.com/eZVOEleqk9
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Jeannie Hovland, the Commissioner for the Administration on Native American Affairs, is addressing the National Congress of American Indians for the first time. She is a citizen of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. She introduced herself in the Dakota language. #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/6wdaO8kdaL
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Jeannie Hovland, Commissioner for Administration on Native American Affairs, has revived Intradepartmental Council on Native American Affairs at Department of Health and Human Services. She is working with Indian Health Service and other agencies at HHS. @ANA_ACFgov #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/wmVW1YmmYc
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Daniel Kowalski of the Department of the Treasury is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. He serves as counselor fo the Secretary of the Treasury. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/3GgCKtnxaO
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Will Micklin of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes calls on the Department of Treasury to ensure tribes are consulted and participate in key economic development decisions. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/yLFriP2loe
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) is addressing the National Congress of American Indians for the seventh time. He serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, a key committee for carrying out the trust and treaty responsibility. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/UfAzhlLo5k
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) has reintroduced Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act (H.R.729) to help tribes address climate change. “For the last decade, climate change has not been a priority for this Congress” but is hopeful with Democrats now in control of House. #ECWS19 #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/cfVXwkLiur
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Mike Williams of the Akiak Native Village tells the National Congress of American Indians: “Alaska is ground zero for impacts on climate change.” #ECWS19 #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/xrI4qkUqVZ
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Virgil Lewis Sr., vice chairman of Yakama Nation, tells National Congress of American Indians: “Treaties are the supreme law of the land except when it applies to Native nations.” A Yakama treaty decision is pending at the Supreme Court in the Cougar Den case. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/Qo6Z2XjZJ5
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) is addressing National Congress of American Indians for first time. He is new ranking member of House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies, a key committee for carrying out the trust and treaty responsibility. #ECWS19 @RepDaveJoyce pic.twitter.com/CnLj7UL0PJ
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
President Jefferson Keel of National Congress of American Indians offers update on review of workforce environment that was initiated almost 4 months ago. “We want to make sure that NCAI is a safe place for women to work.” No word on executive director who was suspended. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/wVqOoIYct1
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
According to President Jefferson Keel, the review has shown that NCAI is safe for women. An outside investigaton contacted numerous former employees over the past few months to learn about their time at NCAI, these former employees told Indianz. #ECWS19
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Some of these former employees have asked for copy of any investigative report but told Indianz they have not been given one. One woman was told investigation was to be completed by end of January. #ECWS19
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
NCAI has so far not made public the results of any investigation and has not disclosed the status of executive director Jackie Pata, who was suspended in October. She is not here at #ECWS19 this week.
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel again calls for permanent director of the Indian Health Service. “It’s been four years. This is a travesty that the federal government must rectify not next year not next Congress but right now.” #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/j0PkfJLFqy
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of House, was on National Congress of American Indians agenda but could not make it due to funeral of longtime former Congressman John Dingell, being laid to rest in Michigan. Treasurer Juana Majel-Dixon is reading statement from Pelosi. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/1MtxEtw3kE
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
In written message to National Congress of American Indians, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House, says: “Our new Democratic House majority stands with Native nations and Native peoples.” #ECWS19
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Yes. The delegation from the Piscataway Conoy Tribe just arrived! The tribe was supposed to be acknowledged at start of #ECWS19 but was delayed due to traffic and weather in the nation’s capital. #Maryland pic.twitter.com/phNWG1vSwL
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Delores Currie, 83-year-old grandmother and Turtle Clan Mother of Piscataway Conoy Tribe, welcomes National Congress of American Indians to her nation’s territory. Of delayed arrival due to weather and traffic: “My daddy always said better late than never!” #ECWS19 #Maryland pic.twitter.com/VxwsTmJWnh
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Advanced appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service have been a hot topic at the National Congress of American Indians #ECWS19 this week. Here are some bills to follow in the 116th Congress:
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* H.R.195, Pay our Doctors Acthttps://t.co/5Bdot09kev
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* S.229, Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Acthttps://t.co/XJpNXYZN5L*
* H.R.1128https://t.co/rsNCdyzcV8
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* H.R.1135https://t.co/ga0RKf670o
Wells Fargo announced a $500,000 donation to the National Congress of American Indians for a digital records project. “We are honored to be able to support this initiative,” an executive said. #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/KPZTset3vN
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Wells Fargo of course has been criticized for its role in funding the Dakota Access Pipeline, which the National Congress of American Indians opposed. #NoDAPL
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Check out the National Congress of American Indians Climate Action Resource Center https://t.co/WvtPKskXtM #ECWS19 @NCAI1944 pic.twitter.com/GHv0GBvpXN
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Karen Bass (D-California) is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. She serves as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. @RepKarenBass #ECWS2019 pic.twitter.com/9Qweg5hcTf
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Karen Bass (D-California) also signed onto a court brief defending the Indian Child Welfare Act in the closely watched Brackeen case. Oral arguments take place before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on March 13, 2019. #DefendICWA #ECWS19
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Karen Bass (D-California) serves on the House Committee on the Judiciary. She says Democrats in the House are working on three Indian Country public safety and justice measures. #ECWS19
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* Savanna’s Act, a bill to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. A Republican blocked it from passage at the end of last year before leaving office. #MMIW #MMIWG
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* A reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Democrats are supporting an update that strengthens tribal sovereignty but Republicans did not allow it to advance in the last session. #VAWA
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment Act, or the SURVIVE Act. The bill ensures tribes get a permanent set aside to the national Crime Victims Fund. The bill has bipartisan support in House and Senate.
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
“You will see all three of those measures taken up and voted on in the next couple of months," Rep. Karen Bass (D-California) tells the National Congress of American Indians. #ECWS19 @RepKarenBass
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
John Echohawk of Native American Rights Fund offers an update on the Tribal Supreme Court Project, a joint initiative of NARF and National Congress of American Indians. “We’re all in this boat together,” Echohawk says of rulings from the high court. #ECWS19 @NDNrights pic.twitter.com/auIFEZG0S7
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
The Supreme Court has heard three Indian law cases in its current term. “We expect decisions to be rolling out sometime this spring,” says Derrick Beetso of the National Congress of American Indians. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/ypGK7oWrdu
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
The Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians are waiting for decisions from the Supreme Court in three Indian law cases, says Joel Williams of NARF. #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/30llz2nfSM
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Cougar Den will determine whether a citizen of the Yakama Nation must pay a fuel tax to the state of Washington. #HonorTheTreaties pic.twitter.com/WyJO1w9ZkT
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Carpenter will determine whether the reservation of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation continues to exist. #Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/tVoERl6w4M
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Herrera will determine whether a citizen of the Crow Tribe can hunt on off-reservation treaty territory. #HonorTheTreaties pic.twitter.com/j7umfu9RG7
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep, Norma Torres (D-CA) praises the election of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), calling them “two warriors” for Indian Country. “The work starts now to ensure that we are able to bring them back.” #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/I4OUVgiDCb
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
National Congress of American Indians President delivered the State of Indian Nations on Monday and it was a big hit online, reaching nearly 5 million people and emerging as the Number 1 tending topic on Twitter in DC. #SOIN2019 pic.twitter.com/itjyuyNDiv
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) @SenJohnHoeven is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. He serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs @IndianCommittee. “The committee’s agenda is ambitious.” #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/y1bQJJtv5n
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) is addressing the National Congress of American Indians. His district includes the Kickapoo Tribe and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, also known as the Tigua Tribe. #ECWS19 @HurdOnTheHill pic.twitter.com/GCrHSg5puS
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) represents district along US border with Mexico. He opposes a physical wall along border, calling it “the most expensive and least effective way of doing border security.” Calls for border security based on technology instead. #ECWS19 @HurdOnTheHill pic.twitter.com/FleLvJcGFW
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Former US Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) is back to announce the Center for Native American Youth’s new class of Champions for Change. It’s the eight time he’s been at the National Congress of American Indians to honor Native youth. #ECWS19 @Center4Native pic.twitter.com/POAHROs8n0
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Sally Jewell, former Secretary of the Interior during the Obama administration, has joined the board of the Center for Native American Youth. She is at National Congress of American Indians #ECWS19 to help announce Champions for Change. @Center4Native pic.twitter.com/NygclXgGxr
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Here are the 2019 Champions for Change!
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* Adam Soulor, 20, Mohegan
* Autumn Adams, 22, Yakama
* Charite Ropati, 17, Kongiganak
* Madison White, 23, Mohawk
* Shandin Herrera, 21, Navajohttps://t.co/c5bJt9C2fz@Center4Native
Here are the 2019 Champions for Change!
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
* Adam Soulor, 20, Mohegan
* Autumn Adams, 22, Yakama
* Charite Ropati, 17, Kongiganak
* Madison White, 23, Mohawk
* Shandin Herrera, 21, Navajo@Center4Native #ECWS19 pic.twitter.com/x9h8XpcwSp
Vice President Aaron Payment of the National Congress of American Indians just closed out first day of the #ECWS19 in Washington DC. Tune in tomorrow for more updates! pic.twitter.com/fsudjWE3FY
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2019
Twitter Recap: The 17th annual State of Indian Nations address (February 11, 2019)
Tribal leaders gather in nation's capital amid threat of another shutdown (February 11, 2019)
