Indianz.Com > News > ‘Long overdue’: Senate passes bill for Native veterans organization
‘Long overdue’: Senate passes bill for Native veterans organization
Charter for National American Indian Veterans is decades in the making
Monday, November 21, 2022
Indianz.Com
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan bill to advance the work of a Native veterans organization is inching toward final passage as the 117th Congress winds down.
Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed S.1725 to grant a Congressional charter for the National American Indian Veterans, Inc. (NAIV) organization. The bill was approved by unanimous consent, meaning it had the support of the entire chamber.
“We are one step closer to giving our Native American veterans the recognition they truly deserve and have earned,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), the sponsor of S.1752, said on Monday following passage of his bill. “There are many Congressionally chartered veterans service organizations, but none that solely represent the interests and needs of Native American veterans. Our bill would change that by recognizing the mission and authority of the NAIV with a Congressional charter.”
In remarks on the Senate floor last week, Rounds noted that NAIV has worked in every state to advance the interests of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans. As COVID-19 has affected Indian Country at disproportionate rates, he said the organization secured and distributed supplies and equipment to more than 375 tribes in 30 states “NAIV works closely with Tribal Veterans Services Officers to make certain Native American veterans receive proper benefits and resources,” Rounds said on Monday. “Congress regularly looks to NAIV for input when addressing issues facing Native American veterans. This charter will help give NAIV a larger platform to continue advocating for and serving the more than 140,000 Native American veterans living in the United States.” NAIV was founded in 2004, following discussion during a Senate hearing in which lawmakers highlighted the lack of a Congressionally-chartered Native veterans organization. The group, which is based on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, operates on a decentralized basis, with 14 regional offices around the nation. “In New Mexico and across the country, Native Americans have made a profound impact on our country by proudly serving in our Armed Forces,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), a co-sponsor of S.1752. “That’s why I’m proud the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation that will create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans organization.” “This organization is an important resource that supports Native veterans and ensures they have access to the benefits that they have earned,” Lujan added. “This approval by the Senate reaffirms our nation’s commitment to Native veterans, who have proudly served throughout America’s history to present day.”My bill creating a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV) unanimously passed the Senate. We are now one step closer to giving our Native American veterans the recognition they truly deserve and have earned. pic.twitter.com/JTBiP0acR3
— Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) November 21, 2022
![National Native American Veterans Memorial](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/NativeAmericansVeteransMemorial-scaled.jpg)
Non-Native supporters are cheering as well. Ken Teunissen of South Dakota is a recipient of the Purple Heart, the oldest U.S. military award. “This a giant step for our Native brothers and sisters who are veterans and fought beside us,” said Teunissen. “We need to give them the respect that is afforded to all veterans. Hopefully now they will have a voice of their own.” Movement on the Congressional charter for NAIV comes days after the formal dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. More than 1,700 Native veterans, their families and their supporters took part in a ceremony on the National Mall on the afternoon of November 11. The memorial is located on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). It was completed in November 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic meant only a virtual program took place at the time. “The museum is proud to be the home of the memorial and will carry out our responsibility to forever welcome and honor veterans and educate people about the extraordinary military service of Native veterans and active duty service members,” Cynthia Chavez Lamar, a citizen of the Pueblo of San Felipe who serves as director of the NMAI, said at the ceremony.
![John Herrington](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/JohnHerrington-scaled.jpg)
National Native American Veterans Memorial – November 11, 2022
![Crystal Herriage and Sharice Davids](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/CrystalHerriageShariceDavids-scaled.jpg)
![Loren Corpuz](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/LorenCorpuz-scaled.jpg)
![Cynthia Chavez Lamar](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/CynthiaChavezLamar-scaled.jpg)
![Ralph Zotigh and Dennis Zotigh](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/RalphZotighDennisZotigh-scaled.jpg)
![Jefferson Keel](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/JeffersonKeel-scaled.jpg)
![Wes Studi](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/WesStudi-scaled.jpg)
![Charla Lowry and Alexis Raeana Jones](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/21/CharlaLowryAlexisRaeanaJones-scaled.jpg)
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