Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 14, 2006 13:56:33 GMT -5
Despite Gains, Indian Nation Face "Great" Challenges in the New Year
By civilrights.org staff
civilrights.org
February 13, 2006
While the state of the Indian Nations is "strong," increased federal
investment will be necessary to overcome longstanding socio-economic
disparities, according to the oldest, largest, and most representative
tribal organization in the United States.
In two recent policy statements, the National Congress of American
Indians (NCAI) outlined the reasons why investing in tribal
self-determination will pay significant dividends.
Driven by the policy of tribal self-government, income levels across
reservation communities rose by 33 percent while the poverty rate
dropped 7 percent (independent of gaming) between 1990 and 2000,
according to NCAI's FY 2007 budget request report, "Reasons to Invest in
Indian Country: Visions of Strong Native Families and Traditions."
Despite substantial growth since 1990, however, Indian Country lacks
many resources that are common in the rest of the U.S., the February 2
report states.
In a speech on the State of Indian Nations given in conjunction with the
release of the budget request report, NCAI President Joe Garcia,
described how tribal nations rely on investment from the U.S.
"We are sovereign, independent, self-sustaining nations. But as I have
noted before, our mandated relationship with the United States
Government puts us in a precarious position," said Garcia. "Our success
is dependent to a large extent on the Governments' respect for tribal
rights to self-determination and self-sufficiency."
NCAI President Joe Garcia said the Four Great Steps - the areas of
"great challenge" for tribal nations - are public safety, healthcare,
education and the economy, and resolution of Cobell v. Norton, a
class-action suit to compel the Department of Interior to do an
accounting of Indian trust funds.
The Four Great Steps are a reference to the Native American spiritual
outlook of the Four Directions.
"Everything in the world comes from the four directions - these four
powers. And they must be in balance," said Garcia. "The Four Great Steps
define the challenges we face as tribal governments - the needs we must
meet and overcome to improve the lives of those of us in the Indian
Nations."
While tribes want to do more to ensure public safety, they lack the
means, Garcia said, According to the Justice Department, only three
Indian Nation police officers patrol areas the size of Delaware.
Citing healthcare statistics, Garcia said that federal expenditures for
Native American healthcare less than half of what the U.S. spends on
federal prisoners. And the typical American Indian is 280 percent more
likely to die from an accident and 420 percent more likely to die from
diabetes, Garcia said.
Garcia recommended Congressional support for a series of important
legislation, including reauthorization of Indian Health Care Improvement
Act; reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act; and full funding
of the provisions of NCLB that ensure Native American children learn
their history and culture.
NCAI's budget request report explains Indian Country's existing
infrastructure - including public safety and justice, health, education
housing, natural resources, environmental quality, and tribal government
-- and makes policy recommendations for improving it.
By civilrights.org staff
civilrights.org
February 13, 2006
While the state of the Indian Nations is "strong," increased federal
investment will be necessary to overcome longstanding socio-economic
disparities, according to the oldest, largest, and most representative
tribal organization in the United States.
In two recent policy statements, the National Congress of American
Indians (NCAI) outlined the reasons why investing in tribal
self-determination will pay significant dividends.
Driven by the policy of tribal self-government, income levels across
reservation communities rose by 33 percent while the poverty rate
dropped 7 percent (independent of gaming) between 1990 and 2000,
according to NCAI's FY 2007 budget request report, "Reasons to Invest in
Indian Country: Visions of Strong Native Families and Traditions."
Despite substantial growth since 1990, however, Indian Country lacks
many resources that are common in the rest of the U.S., the February 2
report states.
In a speech on the State of Indian Nations given in conjunction with the
release of the budget request report, NCAI President Joe Garcia,
described how tribal nations rely on investment from the U.S.
"We are sovereign, independent, self-sustaining nations. But as I have
noted before, our mandated relationship with the United States
Government puts us in a precarious position," said Garcia. "Our success
is dependent to a large extent on the Governments' respect for tribal
rights to self-determination and self-sufficiency."
NCAI President Joe Garcia said the Four Great Steps - the areas of
"great challenge" for tribal nations - are public safety, healthcare,
education and the economy, and resolution of Cobell v. Norton, a
class-action suit to compel the Department of Interior to do an
accounting of Indian trust funds.
The Four Great Steps are a reference to the Native American spiritual
outlook of the Four Directions.
"Everything in the world comes from the four directions - these four
powers. And they must be in balance," said Garcia. "The Four Great Steps
define the challenges we face as tribal governments - the needs we must
meet and overcome to improve the lives of those of us in the Indian
Nations."
While tribes want to do more to ensure public safety, they lack the
means, Garcia said, According to the Justice Department, only three
Indian Nation police officers patrol areas the size of Delaware.
Citing healthcare statistics, Garcia said that federal expenditures for
Native American healthcare less than half of what the U.S. spends on
federal prisoners. And the typical American Indian is 280 percent more
likely to die from an accident and 420 percent more likely to die from
diabetes, Garcia said.
Garcia recommended Congressional support for a series of important
legislation, including reauthorization of Indian Health Care Improvement
Act; reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act; and full funding
of the provisions of NCLB that ensure Native American children learn
their history and culture.
NCAI's budget request report explains Indian Country's existing
infrastructure - including public safety and justice, health, education
housing, natural resources, environmental quality, and tribal government
-- and makes policy recommendations for improving it.