for 80 years the National Congress of American Indians has stood as a sentinel in the tapestry of time a collective voice dedicated to Champion the rights of tribal nations from trailblazing leaders of the past to Resolute voices of today this path has been forged through moments of Courage unity and the Relentless defense of tribal sovereignty join us as we explore nci's history where you will not just find moments but movements not just memories but a legacy a legacy that spans eight remarkable decades anchored in the profound strength that courses through the histories of our people welcome to the National Congress of American Indians A Journey Through Time Our Story begins in the 1940s a time of Rapid change that created a turbulent political and social landscape Across the Nation for Indian Country it was no different World War II was in full swing and the Shadows of the Great Depression lingered during this time Congress and the federal government began to aggressively push or a set of policies that threatened the very existence of tribal Nations and their inherent Sovereign rights in the face of these challenges the need for a unified voice had never been more clear and Visionary leaders from every corner of Indian Country needed to come together so in 1944 Denver Colorado became the meeting point for these strong Advocates all bound by one shared purpose they aspired to establish one organization that would ser serve as a unified front devoted to safeguarding the time-honored lifeways of tribal Nations these efforts gave birth to the National Congress of American Indians as we move into the 1950s the aftermath of World War II had reshaped the nation yet Indian Country faced its own set of unique challenges tribal Nations remained locked in a battle to uphold their Sovereign rights am missed policy that sought to define the fate of native people it was during this time that NCI Rose as a formidable defender of tribal sovereignty through advocacy legal battles and unyielding resistance the unified voice of tribal Nations was instrumental in advocating for the preservation of tribal identities these steadfast efforts became a pivotal chapter in history laying the foundation for future battles the 1960s marked a turning point Point of Hope and determination the Civil Rights Movement was reshaping the nation's social Fabric and while most of the country was concerned about equal rights and inclusion tribal Nations fiercely defended their right to remain separate and distinct as sovereigns during this decade NCI played a vital role in spotlighting the hardships faced by tribal communities bringing attention to issues such as inadequate healthare education disparities and the enduring consequences of past policies simultaneously native activism flourish with the emergence of the American Indian movement and other groups staging high-profile protests in demonstrations Nationwide through the power of unity and collaboration NCI became a driving force behind Federal reforms aimed at addressing these long-standing challenges in its role as a unifying influence continued to provide a platform for Native voices and issues to take center stage on the national front the momentum set by the preceding decades prepared us for the rapid pace of change during the 70s although nci's efforts were intertwined with social and political changes Nationwide the voice of Indian country was louder than ever before a defining moment m in this era occurred in July of 1970 when President Richard Nixon made a historical statement that would reverberate through history President Nixon took a Firm Stance against the harmful termination policy and for the very first time unequivocally endorsed a self-determination policy this bold declaration set the stage for a new era one that recognizes the fundamental rights of tribal Nations to determine their own future with swift support and advocacy from NCI in 1975 the policy was given permanence as public law 638 the Indian self-determination and Education Act following closely the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act of 1976 and both the American Religious Freedom Act and Indian Child Welfare act in 1978 these Landmark laws further underscored a new era of respect effect for tribal control Guided by the vision dedication and advocacy of strong NCI leadership and allies the storm clouds of the past began to part and this transformation signaled a brighter future for tribal Nations the 1980s began with a continuation of positive momentum the political tide had finally begun to swing in Indian country 's favor and ncai was maintaining its leadership and advocacy efforts in Washington DC only now NCI was doing so alongside many other National native organizations a result of the movement that took place in the previous decade legislation and policies acknowledged the significance of tribal self-governance fostering a government toover relationship without threats of termination ncai stood at the Forefront in the environmental Arena as tribal Nations prioritized control of their resources to protect their lands and communities and the passage of the Indian gaming regulatory act opened doors to economic opportunities that were previously Beyond reach tribal nations were no longer reacting but proactively shaping their own Destinies following this proactive push for tribal sovereignty the 1990s saw NCI continue its Relentless advocacy on Capitol Hill the early 9s witnessed the passage of several critical pieces of legislation such as the Native American language act the Indian arts and crafts Act and the Native American Graves protection and repatriation acts but every strive forward came with new challenges the spread of HIV and AIDS across Indian country was a stark reminder of the evolving threats faced by tribal community commities recognizing the pressing need for emergency Readiness NCI was quick to support tribal Nations emphasizing the importance of sovereignty in the responding crisis the NCI youth commission was established in 1997 aiming to inspire native youth to actively engage in advocacy the commission offered a platform for Young Voices to participate in leadership development and directly communicate their unique perspectives to tribal leaders on a national level toward the end of this decade a watershed moment occurred when native voters played a crucial role in preventing Senator Slade Gordon of Washington state from being reelected in 1998 Gordon had a long history of opposing tribal Affairs but the strong turnout proved the power of the Native vote in major elections these transformative developments closed out a decade of legislative victories and growing political influence for NCI and tribal Nations through the 2000s NCI continued to tackle new challenges while expanding its reach marking a significant period of growth and evolution however the tragic events of September 11th 2001 reshaped the world and native nations as always stood ready to protect their homelands in a new reality in 2001 tribal Nations United to confront Supreme Court decisions that threatened to diminish tribal jurisdiction on their lands NCI expanded programmatic efforts giving rise to the tribal sovereignty protection initiative the NCI policy Research Center and the native vote campaign history unfolded in 200 2003 as NCI president Tex Hall delivered the inaugural state of Indian nation's address an event that fostered increased recognition and deeper engagement between tribal Nations in the United States setting an extraordinary president for the years ahead today I am very proud to stand before you the first ever state of the Indian nation's address the 2000s also witness shifts in the political landscape with NCI advocating for Indian Country regardless of the party in power in 2009 ncai President Jefferson Keel had the honor of introducing President Obama at the first ever White House tribal Nation Summit ladies and gentlemen it is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce to you today the president of the United States of America president Barack Obama one particular achievement for NCI occurred in November 2009 with the establishment of a permanent home base the embassy of tribal nations in Washington DC tribal leaders would now have access to a central location to prepare for meetings on Capitol Hill and with the presidential Administration symbolizing nci's unwavering commitment to Indian Country the 2010s ushered in a surge of legislative and legal victories that influenc the future for many tribal Nations nci's role as a central Advocate was more critical than ever to address the ongoing disparities in health education and economic development the co well settlement the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Indian Healthcare Improvement act became law in 2010 in the same year President Obama endorsed the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous people highlighting nci's growing Global influence soon after the 2013 reauthorization of violence against women's act marked a significant step toward Justice and safety for native women however the decade wasn't without its challenges controversies like the Dakota access Pipeline and the stand with Standing Rock movement in 2016 and 17 highlighted nci's role alongside tribal Nations and advocates in defending tribal rights and lands as we entered 2020 A new challenge reared its head the covid-19 pandemic it posed significant health and economic threats to the entire globe and tribal nations were no exception this pandemic spotlighted the long-standing disparities plaguing native communities particularly in health care and economic stability NCI took decisive action championing Federal relief efforts tailored to the distinct needs of Indian Country adapting to the times NC embraced digital tools and platforms to connect mobilize and advocate for tribal Nations virtual events and webinars became the new normal ensuring that even in the face of global challenges the unified voice of Indian Country would not be silenced 2020 also saw an unprecedented number of Native Americans running for and being elected to political offices at all levels from local school boards to Congress Indian Country also witnessed the historic confirmation of Deb Holland as the secretary of the Department of the interior and several landmark cases made their way to hire Courts advocating for the protection and restoration of tribal lands and resources the fight for tribal sovereignty and the overall well-being of tribal communities remains at the Forefront of nci's mission through partnership education and unbreakable solidarity we have paid PVE the way for the progress we now see in 2023 throughout eight Decades of challenges and triumphs ncii has consequently upheld its shared commitment to safeguarding tribal governments and communities always adapting and responding to the evolving needs of Indian country and as Indian Country continues to grow in diversity and strength ncii must evolve in lock step today NCI Embraces the dawn of a new era honoring our past and stepping boldly into the future to be a Beacon of Hope and progress to Echo the collective heartbeat of tribal Nations to defend tribal sovereignty