ending November 16
WEEK IN REVIEW: National Congress
of American Indians President Tex Hall.
Photo © NSM.
The largest inter-tribal organization held its annual conference in San Diego, California, this week, focusing on a number of pressing issues facing Indian Country. Sovereignty, funding, education and health care were discussed at the the National Congress of American Indians in light of the results of the mid-term elections. Tribal delegates were told of the need to reach out to Republicans and Democrats in order to educate lawmakers about these issues. The Indian vote was also championed as critical to the election of pro-tribal candidates. Get the Story:
Tribes reacting to GOP control (11/12)
NCAI kicks off in San Diego (11/12)
Tribes press forth with issues (11/13)
Tribes focus on broad agenda at NCAI (11/14)
In The Hoop: Rumblings from San Diego (11/14)
Leave no Indian child behind (11/15)
Tribes put priority on judges (11/15) Trust reform debated at NCAI
As expected, the mismanagement of Indian trust assets was a central focus of the NCAI session. But instead of BITAM, the key issues were the breakdown of talks with federal officials and the next phase of the Cobell lawsuit. Tribal leaders said they wanted to be included in any reform proposals developed by the Bush administration and the plaintiffs in the landmark case. Tribes also moved to oppose legislation that would settle historic accounting rights for money. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will take up the proposal next year. Get the Story:
Norton submits new court report (11/11)
Indian trust systems still offline (11/11)
Trust extinguishment bill criticized (11/13)
Cobell plans subject of debate (11/13)
Interior blasted for ignoring court (11/14)
Fees awarded in trust fund litigation (11/14) more stories
There's still more to read in the recap of the top stories.