13-02-2025
Indian Country must work together to face ‘gathering clouds'
Kolby KickingWomanICTIndian Country remains strong and on the rise but must not ignore 'gathering clouds' stemming from the torrent of executive actions in the first month of the Trump Administration. As has been the tradition, National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro, Pechanga Band of Indians, opened the 2025 Executive Council Winter Session with the State of Indian Nations in Washington, D.C., Monday morning. The last year had a number of moments that inspired hope, Macarro said, from Lily Gladstone's momentous Oscar nomination to former President Joe Biden's apology for the federal government's role in boarding schools to the historic number of Native people who ran for, and won, seats in political offices across the country. Still, Indian Country must remain focused to face the challenges in the months and years to come.'It's been a tumultuous first few weeks of the new administration, but Indian Country continues to have both the acumen and the tools it needs to push back where needed and to protect each other where needed,' Macarro said. While there has been 'confusion and chaos,' Macarro stressed the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty and holding federal policy makers accountable to treaty obligations and the government-to-government relationship with tribes.'This moment demands vigilance from all of us. I know tribal communities are debating how to respond to the actions of the new administration. Well, I strongly affirm it's time to speak up. It's time to stand up,' Macarro said. 'Tribal leadership must hold the federal government accountable to these commitments. That's why we are here.'While Indian Country faces no shortage of challenges, Macarro called for investments in health care, education, and the justice system. No matter who is in the White House, Macarro said there is room to work together on shared priorities.'These include reducing unnecessary regulations, streamlining federal funding mechanisms for critical tribal priorities and economic development, strengthening tribal self determination and addressing long standing tax issues that are historic impediments to tribal economic growth,' Macarro said. 'As we face these federal challenges, one thing remains clear, strong leadership within Indian Country and across intertribal organizations is essential.'Prior to Macarro, National Congress of American Indian Youth Commission co-presidents Madison Brown, Seneca Nation, and Angelina Serna, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, provided a vision for the years ahead from a youth face the global challenges of today, from climate change to social inequality, Indigenous voices must have more than just a seat at the table. 'In this critical moment, there is a truth that we cannot afford to ignore. Indigenous perspectives must be at the heart of how we address these challenges. For too long, the wisdom and knowledge of Indigenous people have been sidelined, dismissed, misunderstood and misappropriated,' Serna said. 'Yet our reciprocal relationship with the land, our sustainable practices and our values of community are precisely what the world needs today. This isn't just a matter of seeking a seat at the table. It's about ensuring that the voices and knowledge of Indigenous people shape the conversation and guide the solutions. We come together today, not only to honor our people, but to boldly claim our rightful place in the shaping of tomorrow.'They both called for a more inclusive education system, one that reflects indigenous cultures and values; along with language revitalization. Equally important, Brown called for tribal leaders to invest in Native youth as the leaders of tomorrow. 'Native youth are breaking down executive orders and yearning to understand what's happening in the House, Senate and legalities behind the actions. I ask the leaders within the room to begin to advance youth leadership programs, to promote the understanding of policy and legislative processes within your tribal, state and the federal government,' Brown said. 'By promoting the understanding of policy and legislative processes and democracy within Native youth, Indian country will be better equipped to navigate any and all political challenges.'Each year, a member of Congress is selected to give a congressional response. That role was filled by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum. She praised Brown and Serna for their address.'Wow, I have to tell you, as a mother, as an auntie and as a social studies teacher, those two young adult women, they rocked it,' McCollum said as she called for the audience to give the youth an additional round of applause. 'They spoke to the heart of what brought me to Congress, and that's to make sure we leave, there's all kinds of phrases we use; the ladder down, the window open, the door ajar, to give them the space to make our nation and your nations great,' McCollum Congress, McCollum emphasized that they need to hear from tribal leaders in real time about what is happening on the ground in Indian Country and that there is a commitment to solve problems as they pop up. With funding for Indian Country dispersed across a number of federal agencies, McCollum also spoke on the importance of advanced appropriations.'If we are being serious about respecting your sovereignty, honoring our trust and treaty obligations, that cannot get caught up in minutia and saying, 'Oh, well, we'll fix that later,' it needs to be fixed before anything more happens,' McCollum said. 'The funding that you need to provide your programs needs to be delivered on time and responsibly.'Indian Country has allies and advocates on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill and working side-by-side tribes will produce the best outcomes. 'We are only an instrument that's as good as the tool makers,' she said. 'You are the people creating the instruments that we use helping us understand what they need to look like in order to serve your communities.'There will be unseen challenges but also opportunities in the years ahead. Macarro finished how he started, declaring with the utmost confidence the strength of Indian Country. 'We have all we need to face whatever is coming, it's in us,' Macarro said to wrap up his speech. 'We need to do it together. So as long as we do it together, we will be strong as we face these next few years and do what needs to be done.'The full 2025 State of Indian Nations can be played back here.
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