National Tribal Environmental Council

On January 27th, NCAI President Jefferson Keel delivered the State of Indian Nations Address in Washington, D.C. President Keel spoke passionately about a new era for Indian Country, outlining recent achievements, real opportunities for tribal nations to build our communities, needed investments, and clearing the way so that tribal nations may contribute to the national economy, energy independence, and a larger economic recovery. This new era would be defined by what tribal nations choose to do for ourselves, as opposed to previous eras of federal policy in which the federal government chose what to do to our nations. President Keel recognized the hard work of many tribal leaders who prepared our nations for this moment, and stated “we are poised to be full partners in the American economy, and in America itself.”

This new era of opportunities would be supported by investments in tribal energy, infrastructure, and education; and would be sustained through trust reform, certain legislative fixes, and funding for tribal programs. Energy development was a significant point, as President Keel expressed that tribes manage 10 percent of America’s energy resources including renewable energy worth nearly $1 trillion in revenue. He called on Congress to streamline the bureaucratic processes so that tribes can develop these energy resources. President Keel also called for Congress and the Obama Administration to hold tribal funding harmless in the budget reduction deliberations, citing much needed funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, health care, job creation, and education.

President Keel underscored these points by recognizing that tribal nations are united with federal partners by the great ideals of democracy, equality, and freedom; and further that the foundations of a new era are in place, but much work lies ahead of us. He said that investments in Indian Country will bring economic strength to America.

President Keel affirmed that we live in challenging times; and that today, we have a unique responsibility and a great opportunity through the nation-to-nation relationship to create a new era of opportunity and self-reliance. He said that investing in self-reliant Indian nations is the right thing to do – Constitutionally and morally; and Indian nations offer a great untapped source of economic opportunity for all Americans.

In a strong appeal, President Keel asked for federal partners to “clear the way” for tribes to:

• Expand economic opportunity through entrepreneurism;
• Develop energy on tribal lands;
• Build commerce and create jobs;
• Build infrastructure for our communities so that our children might thrive and our culture enrich all those around us; and
• Build our own communities.

President Keel was resolute in his message: The United States and Indian nations are partners, bound by the Constitution, and bound by our great and shared commitment to liberty. Indian nations can do the work if the federal government clears the way for tribes to exercise economic liberty. Clear the way so that Indian nations might contribute to the national economy, energy independence, and a larger recovery. A video of President Keel’s State of the Indian Nations Address can be found at www.ncai.org