Yesterday, NAFOA Board President Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) testified at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) Oversight Hearing “Examine Native Communities’ Priorities for the 119th Congress.” This was the Committee’s first hearing of the 119th Congress, highlighting challenges in Indian Country, tribal needs, and key priorities for the next two years.
In his testimony, President Butler highlighted key issues affecting tribal finance, business development, and economies, including the current funding freeze impacting many tribal programs.
“First, we will continue to emphasize that the relationship between the Federal Government of the United States and the Tribal Nations is rooted in a political relationship, not a racial or any other classification. The Supreme Court unanimously affirmed this in Morton v. Mancari and has consistently upheld this tenet. This political relationship, recognized within the U.S. Constitution, forms the foundation for modernizing the federal treatment of tribal governments and their enterprises. The recent issuance of executive orders and subsequent funding pause raised significant concern among Tribal Nations.”
—Chairman Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
President, NAFOA Board of Directors
In addition to President Butler, the Committee also heard testimony from President Mark Macarro of the National Congress of American Indians, Chairperson William Smith of the National Indian Health Board, Board President Kerry Bird of the National Indian Education Association, and CEO Kuhio Lewis of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
Later this month, NAFOA will testify again before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies during the Native American and Alaska Native Public Witness hearings, which are scheduled for February 25, 26, and 27.
For any other questions or concerns, please contact Nicholas Lovesee, Director of Policy, at nicholas@nafoa.org
