Saturday, October 20 9:00-3:00 NCAI Executive Committee Meeting 11:00 Embassy Fundraiser Golf Tournament Enjoy a great day of golf with friends while supporting the Embassy of Tribal Nations. For more information click here or contact Chris Pata at cpata@ncai.org. Sunday, October 21 8:30-12:30 Emergency Management Overview for Tribal Leaders Tribal leaders have demanding schedules that precludes them from attending multiple-day workshops and training sessions. This is a purposely abbreviated course to assist tribal leaders seeking to successfully prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents and disasters through a better understanding of emergency management. The curriculum includes how effective emergency management can improve the sustainability of tribal communities and better protect tribal citizens, lands, culture, and sovereignty. Upon completion tribal officials are eligible for 4 hours of CEU credit. This session will be repeated. 9:00-4:00 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Eagle Repository Consultation The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service s (FWS) National Eagle Repository is considering changing its eagle and eagle feather distribution process. Because of the potential impact such a change would have to tribes across the country, the FWS invites officially designated tribal representatives to attend this meeting and share input on the repository s feather distribution process. Steve Oberholtzer, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Bernadette Atencio, Repository Supervisor, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 9:00-5:00 Native Women s Forum 9:00-Noon Violence Against Women Task Force The NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women is working diligently to ensure passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) with key tribal provisions intact, including a limited jurisdictional fix to address domestic violence against Native women perpetrated by non-indians on tribal lands. Speakers will discuss key tribal VAWA amendments, the current status of the VAWA reauthorization, and legislative strategy moving forward. 1:00-3:00 Native Women s Caucus The Native Women s Caucus supports the interests of women throughout Indian Country. The Caucus gives visibility and respect to Native women s perspectives and actions. Sessions will explore emerging issues that our communities are facing and the central roles of women and families. 9:00-3:00 Resiliency in Communities
9:00-Noon 9:00-Noon Federal Energy Training: Information to Support Housing in Indian Country HUD is undertaking a national Indian Housing Needs Study and is offering tribes the opportunity to learn how to undertake their own housing needs assessment. This halfday HUD training will provide tribal leaders and tribal housing officials with the tools they need to gather information and use the study results to shape tribal housing policy. 10:00-1:00 What s Trending Now?: Indian Country s Path Forward Native organizations, at the local, regional and national level, provide an important institutional infrastructure supporting tribal and Native community efforts. Each organization has its own mission and programs but sharing information about trends and strategies that affect Indian Country can serve to help strengthen varied efforts. Join in this special session for leaders of Native organizations and tribal leaders to discuss emerging trends that impact tribes and Native communities and share strategies to work together for the common good. NCAI leadership will facilitate an interactive discussion to develop opportunities for coordination and action. 10:00-5:00 Registration/ Rules & Credentials Open 1:00-5:00 Large Land Base Tribal Nations Task Force The purpose of the Large Land Base Tribal Nations Task Force is to strengthen the ability of NCAI to advocate for the unique issues of the large land base tribes and to foster unity and cooperation among all tribes to preserve tribal sovereignty, lands, culture, and quality of life for all. 1:00-3:00 Public Health Laws in Indian Country Exercising Sovereignty to Improve Health The National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Health Board will host a roundtable discussion for tribal leaders, health practitioners, and tribal health program directors and staff to discuss public health laws in Indian Country (e.g., emergency preparedness, road safety, food handling, management of health outbreaks). Learning objectives include: 1) Educating tribal leaders on the scope and range of tribal public health laws; 2) Engaging tribal leaders in importance of public health law development for their nations; 3) Identifying unique aspects of public health law in Indian Country; and 4) Informing the development of a database. Moderator: Emily White Hat, Program Manager, PRC, NCAI 1:00-5:00 Saving Lives: Improving Communications for Our First Responder
Legislation passed earlier this year created FirstNet, which will become a nationwide public safety broadband network. FirstNet will allow police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical service professionals, and other public safety officials to communicate with each other across agencies and jurisdictions on a single nationwide network. It is imperative that tribes participate in the build out of FirstNet in order to identify areas where communications services are either nonexistent or in complete disrepair. Attend this session to engage with federal officials and the FirstNet Authority to ensure your tribe is included in the deployment of this network on tribal lands. 1:00-5:00 Federal Recognition Task Force The Federal Recognition Task Force was established to address the interests of all tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized, on any recommended changes to policies, procedures, or strategic plans in the federal recognition process. This session will continue work on the development of realistic, actionable recommendations to Congress and the Administration on revising the federal recognition process. 1:30-5:30 Emergency Management Overview for Tribal Leaders Tribal leaders have demanding schedules that precludes them from attending multiple-day workshops and training sessions. This is a purposely abbreviated course to assist tribal leaders seeking to successfully prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents and disasters through a better understanding of emergency management. The curriculum includes how effective emergency management can improve the sustainability of tribal communities and better protect tribal citizens, lands, culture, and sovereignty. Upon completion tribal officials are eligible for 4 hours of CEU credit. This is a repeated session from the morning. 3:00-5:00 Tribal TANF Task Force 3:00-5:00 New NCAI Member Orientation All members and officers are invited to this welcoming session for new members of the NCAI and a briefing on membership, committees, voting, and process. This is an opportunity to learn more about NCAI meeting policy and procedures. Jackie Johnson Pata, Executive Director, NCAI Robert Holden, Deputy Director, NCAI John Dossett, General Counsel, NCAI Juanita Ahtone, Chair, Resolutions Committee, NCAI 3
5:00-6:00 NCAI Committee and Subcommittee Chairs Meeting with Resolutions Committee NCAI Requests all committee and subcommittee chairs to attend. 6:00-8:00 Welcome Reception Come and visit old friends and make some new ones. This reception will kick off the great week we are going to have at the 69 th Annual Convention. Hosted by the Local Tribes. Monday, October 22 7:00-8:00 National Native Prayer Breakfast This event is a casual breakfast gathering. Attendees will hear encouraging stories of faith and strengthen relationships. This breakfast is reflective of a national event held every year in Washington, DC. Here, we will join together in prayer in order to better serve the concerns of Native communities and nations. Tickets are for sale at registration. 7:30-5:00 Registration/Rules & Credentials - Open for the week 7:30-5:00 Resolutions Office Open for the week 9:00-5:00 Arts and Crafts Open for the Week 8:30-Noon First General Assembly 8:30-9:00 Call to Order Jefferson Keel, President, NCAI Color Guard Honor Song Invocation 9:00-9:10 Welcome from Host Tribe 9:10-9:20 California Welcome Jerry Brown, Governor, California 9:20-10:00 Rules of the Convention Yvonne Oberly, Credentials Committee Chair Resolutions Process 4
Juanita Ahtone, Resolutions Committee Chair President s Address Jefferson Keel Executive Director s Report Jacqueline Johnson Pata 11:30-12:00 Tribal Leader Discussion 12:00-1:00 NCAI Press Conference 1:30-4:00 Second General Assembly 1:30 Call to Order Juana Majel Dixon, First Vice-President, NCAI NCAI Announcements 1:50-2:15 Message from the White House 2:15-2:40 Congressional Messages 2:40-3:00 Google Earth Rebecca Moore, Outreach Leader, Google Earth 3:30-3:50 Message from the U.S. Department of the Interior 3:50-4:00 Briefing on Constitutional Convention 4:00-4:30 Tribal Leader Discussion 4:30-6:00 Committee Meetings Economic, Finance & Community Development Human Resources Land & Natural Resources Litigation & Governance Veterans 6:30-8:30 United League of Indigenous Nations Evening Event The United League of Indigenous Nations Treaty was developed and proposed by NCAI s Special Committee on Indigenous Nation Relationships in 2007. The Treaty establishes an international political 5
and economic alliance to advance the common interests of Indigenous Nations, to bring their cultural properties under the protection of the laws of Indigenous Nations, to protect the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and to assert traditional rights to cross international borders. This event will provide treaty signatories, as well as tribes interested in endorsing the treaty, a forum for discussion and presentation. Tuesday, October 23 7:30-8:30 Area Caucus Meetings Alaska Area Eastern Oklahoma Area Great Plains Area Midwest Area Northeast Area Northwest Area Pacific Area Rocky Mountain Area Southeast Area Southern Plains Area Southwest Area Western Area 9:00-5:00 Exhibit Hall Open 8:30-Noon Third General Assembly 8:30-8:40 Call to Order Edward Thomas, Recording Secretary, NCAI Invocation 8:40-9:10 Mobilizing Tribes to Protect the Federal Indian Budget Amber Ebarb, Legislative Associate and PRC Program Manager 9:30-10:30 Preparing for the Next 4 Years; what do we need to do to get ready? 10:30-11:30 Our Native Youth; how can we help them youth succeed? 11:30-12:00 Tribal Leaders Strategy and Discussion Session 12:00-1:00 Youth Honor Luncheon MCs: Youth Ambassadors 6
NCAI Youth Leadership Awards presented by Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association Tickets are for sale at registration. 12:00-1:00 Native Financial Education Coalition Lunch and Meeting Join us for a meeting with tribal leaders and others interested in a national effort to share information and resources and to promote policies supporting, and promising practices in, financial education in Indian Country. The Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC), active throughout the last decade, is re-establishing a membership network and identifying ways to support financial education in Indian Country. Come to participate and share lunch with others interested in this topic and in NFEC. Box lunches will be available for purchase. 1:30-4:00 Concurrent Breakout Sessions Internet Gaming and its Impact in Indian Country Internet gaming is a hot topic in California and around the country. State governments like California are considering legislation that would enable internet gaming, Congress is working on legislation, and some have concluded that gambling on the internet is inevitable. The session will provide valuable information on what is going on around for tribes. Moderator: Mark Macarro, Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, invited Wendy Helgamo, Counsel, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, invited Robert Martin, Chairman, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, invited Jason Giles, Executive Director, National Indian Gaming Association W. Ron Allen, Chairman, Jamestown S Klallam Tribe Protect Native Money: Financial Skills for the Future A sustained and coordinated national campaign to build financial capability of Native people especially tribal youth is essential to secure a strong financial future for tribal nations and Native peoples. Recent settlements in Indian Country Cobell, Keepseagle, and more than 40 tribal trust settlements have elevated the urgency of protecting Native money and promoting financial education efforts. This session will provide tribal leaders with information they can use to build their tribes and citizens financial capability in three critical areas: Consumer Protection Efforts; Best Practices in Native Financial Education; and Building a National Campaign. Developing Digital Infrastructure to Promote Tribal Sovereignty Digital infrastructure has become a vital component of tribal sovereignty. Installation of broadband technologies on tribal lands has increased self-determination in governance, 7
healthcare, and economic development. This session will highlight tribes that have used these technologies to increase efficiency and streamline services for their membership. Tribal leaders will gain exposure to new advancements in these fields, and the costsavings associated with usage of telecommunications technologies in these operations. Intertribal Tax Initiative: Tribalizing a National Tax Reform in 2013 This session will give tribal representatives and tribal leaders a glimpse of what the Intertribal Tax Initiative is proposing in upcoming tribal tax legislation. The session is also intended to show how the proposed changes affect tribal governments on the ground, discuss how a tribal inclusion in a streamlined sales tax bill would affect the Navajo Nation, and how seeking parity between tribes and states in reference to excise taxes Moderator: Will Micklin, Executive Director, California Association of Tribal Governments Speakers: Martin Ashley, Executive Director, Navajo Tax Commission, Navajo Nation invited Dante Desiderio, Executive Director, NAFOA invited Aurene Martin, President, Spirit Rock Consulting Gary Hayes, Chairman, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe An Issue of Global Proportions: Protecting Our Sacred Lands Protection of and access to Indian sacred places is a key priority for Indigenous peoples on both the domestic and international fronts. This session will bring together international experts and federal representatives to discuss international and domestic strategies for protecting Indian religious and cultural sites. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between sacred places, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), as well as to ongoing initiatives concerning sacred places within the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior. Moderator: Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council Speakers: Marshall McKay, Chairman, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, invited Dion Killsback, Counselor to the Assistant Secretary, Department of Interior Janie Hipp, Senior Advisor on Tribal Relations, Department of Agriculture Using Digital Tools to Sustain Our Cultures and Improve Academic Achievement All around Indian Country, tribes are taking advantage of digital tools such as apps, ipods, and videogames to improve academic achievement, better integrate Native cultures into schools, and teach Native languages to the younger generations. This session will highlight some of these initiatives and discuss how tribes have formed partnerships with 8
technology companies, universities, school districts, and others to make these innovations a reality in their communities. Moderator: Dr. Heather Shotton, President, National Indian Education Association Presenters: Dr. Gloria Sly, Government Relations Officer, Cherokee Nation, invited Diane Merrick, Director of Dakota Language Program, Marty Indian School Philip Johnson, Rural School s Principal, Kodiak Island Borough School District Yolanda Espinoza, Tribal Librarian, Pauma Band of Mission Indians, invited Tribal Homeland Security/Emergency Management Tribes have made in the past decade regarding obstructive federal Post 9-11 homeland security policies, disaster assistance, and funding for emergency management infrastructure capacity building. The moderate success has come through the engagement of tribal leaders and tribal community members in through federal legislation and dialogue with the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Administrator and other departmental officials. The sessions will encompass current national public safety challenges which require continued monitoring and action by tribal leaders and tribal advocates at every level. Topics will include inconsistent treatment of tribal members using tribal IDs for border crossing; threatened loss of the Department of Homeland Security Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program; strategy update on Stafford Act legislation to authorize tribal leader direct disaster declaration authority; options for creating a tribal disaster readiness fund, utilizing GIS technology to facilitate tribal emergency management; tribal flood insurance management participation, state/tribal homeland security relationships, and telecommunication coordination during national disasters and Government Emergency Telecommunication System (GETS). Facilitator: Robert Holden, NCAI Deputy Director Presenters: Steve Golubic Director, Department of Homeland Security Office of Tribal Affairs DHS Customs and Border Patrol DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency Preparedness Grants Directorate, DHS Transportation Security Administration DHS National Communications System (NCS) Ursula Arno, Booz Allen Hamilton Strengthening Native Families through Indian Child Welfare Financing and providing culturally appropriate, accessible child welfare services that prioritize keeping families together are significant challenges. To overcome these obstacles, tribes are putting unique policies in place, using available funding in creative ways, and developing partnerships with state governments and other service providers. 9
This session will illustrate how tribes can enhance Indian child welfare practices, including pathways to permanency, to better serve Native children and families. Moderator: Terry Cross, Executive Director, National Indian Child Welfare Association 4:00-6:00 Subcommittee Meetings Disabilities Economic Development, Finance & Employment Education Elders Energy & Mineral Policy Environmental Protection & Land Use Health Housing Human, Religious & Cultural Concerns Indian Child & Family Welfare Jurisdiction & Tribal Government Taxation Telecommunications Tribal Gaming Transportation & Infrastructure Trust Lands, Natural Resources & Agriculture Veterans 6:00-9:00 Cultural Evening Wednesday, October 24 7:00-8:00 Area Caucus Meetings *note time Alaska Area Eastern Oklahoma Area Great Plains Area Midwest Area Northeast Area Northwest Area Pacific Area Rocky Mountain Area Southeast Area Southern Plains Area Southwest Area Western Area 9:00-5:00 Exhibit Hall Open 8:00-Noon Fourth General Assembly 8:00-9:00 National Native American Just Move It! Healthy Lifestyles Walk, Run, and Rally 9 th Annual National Native American Health & Fitness Walk. Come and join leaders from more than 500 nations as we all walk the talk, and show our commitment to wellness. Incentives are provided for participants. 10
Rally Speaker: Jefferson Keel, President, NCAI 9:15 Call to Order W. Ron Allen, Treasurer, NCAI Invocation Announcements Credentials and Membership Report Yvonne Oberly, Credentials Committee Chair 9:35-9:45 Boys and Girls Club 80 th Anniversary Jim Clark, President, Boys and Girls Club of America, video 9:55-10:05 Native Vote 11:00-12:00 Tribal Leader Discussion 12:00-1:00 Trade Show Networking Reception Network with top businesses in their field including Tribes, Federal Agencies, Corporations, Non-Profits, Tribal Enterprises, Tribal Entrepreneurs and Artisans. Join us and discover new business opportunities! 1:30-4:00 Concurrent Breakout Sessions Digital Communities: Establishing Effective Communication Outreach Communications networks serve a variety of beneficial purposes for tribal communities. Social media has proven to be an effective tool for increasing collaboration with business entities, and promoting government transparency. This session will bring together experts to discuss how tribes can use social media to (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and blogs) to develop guidelines and protocol for communications outreach. Special emphasis will be placed on tribal governance and economic development ventures that have successfully established these communication guidelines. Issues regarding cybersecurity and network integrity will also be addressed. Tribal Lands: HEARTH Act and Land Restoration This session will take one two important topics in tribal lands. First, Congress recently passed the HEARTH Act, which permits all tribes to lease their lands under tribal regulations without the approval of the Secretary of Interior. This is a critical tool for economic development and tribal self-determination, and we will provide information on how tribes can take advantage of this opportunity. Second, Indian lands must be protected 11
and restored as places where tribal cultures and traditions can be maintained. In Carcieri v. Salazar (2009), the Supreme Court overturned a longstanding interpretation of the Indian Reorganization Act and held that the phrase now under Federal jurisdiction limits Interior s authority to acquire land in trust for Indian tribes. Three years have passed since the Carcieri decision, and there are at least thirteen pending cases where tribes and the Secretary of Interior are under challenge. Recently, in Match-E-Be-Nash- She-Wish Band of Potowatami v. Patchak (2012), the Supreme Court disregarded decades of interpretation of the Quiet Title Act (QTA) to permit retroactive challenges to the status of federal Indian trust land many years after it has been place in trust. The session will discuss ongoing tribal efforts to ensure tribal land restoration overcomes these challenges. Strengthening Tribal Workforces As the country continues to focus on jobs, it is critical that tribes remain an active player in developing an effective and versatile workforce. Rather than create unneeded jobs, many tribes are molding their workforces to fill key positions within their communities. This session will discuss the need for productive tribal workforces, and examine how tribes are currently using resources, including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), in innovative ways to meet the needs of their communities. Feeding our People - Feeding the World Our tribes are aggressively moving forward with farming, ranching and fishing operations that are vital to feeding our people. Tribes are focusing on First Foods and Specialty Agriculture operations. Additionally, tribes are taking advantage of foreign markets to export their agriculture products. This session will host a variety of tribal food operations along with presenting domestic farming and ranching trends. Juvenile Justice CDFI Tribal Homeland Security/Emergency Management Tribes have made in the past decade regarding obstructive federal Post 9-11 homeland security policies, disaster assistance, and funding for emergency management infrastructure capacity building. The moderate success has come through the engagement of tribal leaders and tribal community members in through federal legislation and dialogue with the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Administrator and other departmental officials. The sessions will encompass current national public safety challenges which require continued monitoring and action by tribal leaders and tribal advocates at every level. Topics will include inconsistent treatment of tribal members using tribal IDs for border crossing; threatened loss of the Department of Homeland Security Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program; strategy update on Stafford Act legislation to authorize tribal leader direct disaster declaration authority; options for creating a tribal disaster readiness fund, utilizing GIS technology to facilitate 12
tribal emergency management; tribal flood insurance management participation, state/tribal homeland security relationships, and telecommunication coordination during national disasters and Government Emergency Telecommunication System (GETS). Facilitator: Robert Holden, NCAI Deputy Director Presenters: Steve Golubic Director, Department of Homeland Security Office of Tribal Affairs Ursula Arno, Booz Allen Hamilton 5:00 Membership and Registration Deadline Membership and registration needs to be current and paid for by 5:00 pm in order to vote in the Constitutional Convention on Thursday morning in General Assembly. 4:00-6:00 Subcommittee Meetings Disabilities Economic Development, Finance & Employment Education Elders Energy & Mineral Policy Environmental Protection & Land Use Health Housing Human, Religious & Cultural Concerns Indian Child & Family Welfare Jurisdiction & Tribal Government Taxation Telecommunications Tribal Gaming Transportation & Infrastructure Trust Lands, Natural Resources & Agriculture Veterans 6:00-8:00 U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Listening Session Thursday, October 25 7:30-8:30 Area Caucus Meetings Alaska Area Eastern Oklahoma Area Great Plains Area Midwest Area Northeast Area Northwest Area Pacific Area Rocky Mountain Area Southeast Area Southern Plains Area Southwest Area Western Area 9:00-5:00 Exhibit Hall Open 13
8:30-Noon Fifth General Assembly 8:30-8:40 Call to Order Don Arnold, Pacific Area Vice President, NCAI Invocation 8:40-8:50 Youth Commission Report 9:00-Noon Constitutional Convention Voting on NCAI Constitutional Amendments 12:00-1:00 Elder s Honoring Luncheon Tickets are for sale at registration. 1:30-4:00 Sixth General Assembly 1:30-1:40 Call to Order 2:00-3:40 Issue Updates Housing Cheryl A. Causley, Chairperson, National American Indian Housing Council, invited Education Dr. Heather Shotton, President, National Indian Education Association Gaming Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association, invited Health Cathy Abramson, Chairperson, National Indian Health Board, invited 3:40-4:00 United Nations Address James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations, invited Tribal Leader Discussion 14
4:00-5:30 Committee Meetings Economic, Finance and Community Development Human Resources Land & Natural Resources Litigation & Governance Veterans 7:00-10:00 Gala Banquet Friday, October 26 8:30 to Noon Seventh General Assembly 8:30 9:15 Call to Order Invocation Memorials 9:15-9:30 Treasurer s Report W. Ron Allen, Treasurer, NCAI 9:45-10:05 Rules and Credentials Report 10:05-11:45 Resolutions Committee Report Full Committee Reports and Consideration of Resolutions Economic, Finance & Community Development Litigation & Governance Veterans Human Resources Land & Natural Resources 11:45 Retire Colors/Closing Prayer Noon Adjourn 69 th Annual Convention OTHER EVENTS 15
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