Despite Gains, Indian Nations Face "Great" Challenges in the New Year
Feature Story by civilrights.org staff - 2/13/2006
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 government's 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 an area 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 No Child Left Behind 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.
