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- By Levi Rickert
SEATTLE — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2025 Convention is underway in Seattle. NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace has brought together more than 2,500 Tribal leaders, national Native American organization leaders, and allies to address critical issues, strategize for the future, and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships.
NCAI President Mark Macarro (chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) updated convention attendees on the relationship between NCAI and federal leadership in Washington.
“We will work with any administration and any Congress to support NCAI principles and priorities. And, we will disagree with any administration and any Congress that attempts to ignore United States obligations and fails to respect and honor tribal sovereignty. Our sovereignty is not on the table,” Macarro said.
Macarro spoke about the lack of funding to properly support public safety throughout Indian Country on reservations. He thanked Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) for the House Appropriations markup that provides an increase of more than $100 million to the BIA Office of Justice Services to further support tribal public safety and justice.
“And yet we know this is still a drop in the bucket by the BIA's own report that says Congress needs to increase the Office of Justice Services budget by more than $3 billion to fully fund Public Safety and Justice in Indian Country,” Macarro said. “If the government can find $40 billion for Argentina, it can find $3 billion to keep our tribal communities safe.”
This week the National Congress of American Indians will elect its officers who will serve a two-year term. Regional vice presidents and the four top elective positions, president, first vice president, secretary and treasurer will be voted into office.
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