National Tribal Chairmen's Association

National Tribal Chairmen's Association is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of Native American tribes and their leaders, working closely with United States Congress, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Department of Health and Human Services. The association was founded in 1971 by a group of tribal chairmen, including Wilma Mankiller and Vine Deloria Jr., with the goal of promoting tribal sovereignty and self-determination, as outlined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975. The organization has worked with various presidential administrations, including those of Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama, to address issues affecting Native American reservations and communities, such as healthcare and education, in collaboration with organizations like the Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Education.

● History

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association has a rich history, dating back to the early 1970s, when it was established as a response to the Indian termination policy of the 1950s and 1960s, which aimed to assimilate Native American tribes into mainstream American society, as seen in the Indian Relocation Program. The association's founding members, including D'Arcy McNickle and Helen Peterson, were instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and objectives, which were influenced by the American Indian Movement and the National Congress of American Indians. Over the years, the association has worked with various congressional committees, such as the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the United States House Committee on Natural Resources, to pass legislation that benefits Native American communities, including the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. The association has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the Native American Rights Fund and the National Indian Education Association, to promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

● Organization

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a membership that includes over 200 Native American tribes, representing more than 50% of the Native American population in the United States. The association is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various tribes, such as the Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Seminole Tribe of Florida. The organization also has a number of committees, including the Health Committee, Education Committee, and Economic Development Committee, which work to address specific issues affecting Native American communities, in partnership with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Education. The association's staff includes experienced professionals, such as Indian law experts and policy analysts, who work to advance the organization's mission and objectives, in collaboration with institutions like the Harvard University and University of Arizona.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association's mission is to promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination, while also addressing the social, economic, and health disparities faced by Native American communities, as highlighted in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2010. The association's objectives include advocating for Native American rights and interests, providing technical assistance and support to member tribes, and promoting cultural preservation and language revitalization, in partnership with organizations like the National Museum of the American Indian and the First Peoples Fund. The association also works to address issues related to land use and natural resource management, such as the Indian Land Consolidation Program and the Tribal Forest Protection Act, in collaboration with agencies like the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

● Membership

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association has a diverse membership, representing tribes from across the United States, including Alaska Native communities and Hawaiian Native communities. Member tribes include the Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, among others. The association also has associate members, including organizations like the Native American Rights Fund and the National Indian Education Association, which work to promote Native American rights and interests, in collaboration with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan. The association's membership is open to all Native American tribes, and the organization provides a range of benefits, including technical assistance, advocacy, and networking opportunities, as seen in the National Tribal Chairmen's Association Annual Conference.

● Activities_and_Initiatives

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association is involved in a range of activities and initiatives, including advocacy and lobbying efforts, policy analysis and development, and community outreach and education, in partnership with organizations like the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Journalists Association. The association works to address issues related to healthcare, education, and economic development, as well as environmental protection and cultural preservation, in collaboration with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service. The association also provides technical assistance and support to member tribes, including training and capacity-building programs, as seen in the Tribal Leaders Conference and the National Tribal Forum.

● Notable_Members_and_Leadership

The National Tribal Chairmen's Association has a number of notable members and leaders, including Wilma Mankiller, Vine Deloria Jr., and D'Arcy McNickle, who have played important roles in shaping the organization's mission and objectives, in collaboration with institutions like the University of Oklahoma and University of New Mexico. The association's current leadership includes Brian Cladoosby, Terry Rambler, and W. Ron Allen, who have worked to advance the organization's goals and objectives, in partnership with organizations like the National Indian Gaming Association and the Native American Finance Officers Association. The association has also recognized the contributions of notable Native American leaders, including Crazy Horse, Geronimo, and Sitting Bull, who have fought to protect Native American rights and interests, as seen in the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Category:Native American organizations