Podcasts about National Congress

Before a joint legal project between the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians started 25 years ago, tribes were losing 80% of their cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, they are winning 70% of those cases. That's from an analysis just put out by the Tribal Supreme Court Project in conjunction with its 25th anniversary. We'll look at some of those wins and losses and what they add up to a quarter century later. We'll also get updates on two important lawsuits in Oklahoma: a class action lawsuit claims the federal government owes as many as 10,000 Native land owners compensation for oil and gas development — and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against a novel jurisdiction agreement between the Muscogee Nation and the city of Tulsa, Okla. GUESTS Hazel James (Chickasaw), plaintiff in Tyson v. United States Peggy Immohotichey (Chickasaw), plaintiff in Tyson v. United States Melody McCoy (Cherokee), senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund Jason Salsman (Muscogee), press secretary for the Muscogee Nation Jeffrey Nelson, partner of mctlaw, manager of the Indian Law Practice Group Break 1 Music: Hatchet (song) Blaine Bailey (artist) Indian Country (album) Break 2 Music: Trick Song (song) Battle River (artist) Hard Times (album)

Before a joint legal project between the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians started 25 years ago, tribes were losing 80% of their cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, they are winning 70% of those cases. That's from an analysis just put out by the Tribal Supreme Court Project in conjunction with its 25th anniversary. We'll look at some of those wins and losses and what they add up to a quarter century later. We'll also get updates on two important lawsuits in Oklahoma: a class action lawsuit claims the federal government owes as many as 10,000 Native land owners compensation for oil and gas development — and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against a novel jurisdiction agreement between the Muscogee Nation and the city of Tulsa, Okla. GUESTS Hazel James (Chickasaw), plaintiff in Tyson v. United States Peggy Immohotichey (Chickasaw), plaintiff in Tyson v. United States Melody McCoy (Cherokee), senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund Jason Salsman (Muscogee), press secretary for the Muscogee Nation Jeffrey Nelson, partner of mctlaw, manager of the Indian Law Practice Group Break 1 Music: Hatchet (song) Blaine Bailey (artist) Indian Country (album) Break 2 Music: Trick Song (song) Battle River (artist) Hard Times (album)

In this episode of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Carbon to Sea's Senior Manager for Communications Danny Gawlowski record from Carbon to Sea's 2026 Annual Convening in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. They sit down with Fawn Sharp, and Francesca Hillery, and Ken Paul for a conversation on Indigenous knowledge systems, ocean climate solutions, and the future of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE).In this episode, Anna and Danny explore how Indigenous knowledge can shape ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (oCDR). They're joined by Indigenous leaders: Ken Paul, former national Director of Fisheries with the Assembly of First Nations, current Principal of Pokiok Associates and member of the Wolastoqey Nation at Neqotkuk; Fawn Sharp, former president of the National Congress of American Indians, former president of the Quinault Indian Nation, and current President of Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission; and Francesca Hillery, Director of Programs and Partnerships for Tribal Carbon Solutions and member of the Round Valley Tribes in California, to discuss the importance of meaningful partnership, sovereignty, and Indigenous science in climate innovation.Fawn, Francesca, and Ken reflect on the role of Indigenous knowledge systems in environmental stewardship, emphasizing that these systems are grounded in centuries of observation, ecological understanding, and relationships with the natural world, and paired with cutting-edge scientific capabilities. Sharp emphasizes there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to Indigenous engagement. Instead, meaningful relationships should be collaborative, equitable, and rooted in Indigenous-led science and governance.The conversation also explores the risks of developing oCDR without collaboration with Indigenous communities. Without Indigenous input, Paul and Hillery warn of premature scaling and the commodification of nature. They emphasized the opportunity for Indigenous knowledge to guide and influence this emerging field.  Plan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative and the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.ACRONYMS/CONCEPTS:mCDR: marine carbon dioxide removaloCDR: ocean-based carbon dioxide removalOAE: ocean alkalinity enhancementNGO: non-governmental organizationFAO: Food and Agriculture OrganizationUNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural OrganizationCOP: Conference of the PartiesIPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeGIS: Geographic Information SystemsPlan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.

The 2026 Canadian Housing and Renewal Association National Congress on Housing and Homelessness is taking place in St. John's so we went and met up with folks from across the country to talk housing, homelesness and solutions. Guests: Sheldon Pollett, executive director, Raising the Roof; Leslie Bellingham, director of strategic initiatives and partnerships, Raising the Roof; Lisa Ker, executive director, Canadian Housing Transformation Centre; Shannon Wiebe, architect, lead of Shared Ground Initiative; and others

Opening ceremonies for the statewide Native Youth Olympic (NYO) games got underway at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska Thursday. This year's NYO coordinator, Brittany Vo, says it is impressive to watch the procession of 400 athletes from across Alaska enter the stadium, as they carry homemade banners that represent their schools and communities. “It's just so exciting to have so much representation in one room, which I think is really powerful to see how one event can bring us all together.” Over the next two days, thousands of people will come to watch traditional Native games like the Alaskan High Kick, the Seal Hop, and Stick Pull – tests of skill, strength, and endurance, Vo says, that are rooted in survival off the land. “It's really important to me, because as a youth, I didn't always feel like pride in my culture. And the fact that these students come and they're proud to do these games is really important for self-esteem and confidence.” This year marks the 40th year that the Cook Inlet Tribal Council has hosted NYO. Since then, the games have continued to grow. Today, teams from more than 100 Alaska communities take part. The deadline to comment has passed on a Trump administration proposal that could roll back a two-decade ban on oil and gas drilling around a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within seven days, more than 70,000 comments were gathered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has more on potential changes for public lands surrounding Chaco Canyon. The BLM wants to repeal a Biden-era 10-mile buffer zone of more than 336,000 acres. Rich in oil and gas, some 40,000 wells already dot the Greater Chaco Landscape. “What we are fighting for is the last, right now, unleased federal lands.” Marissa Naranjo is from the Santa Clara Pueblo. She is with the New Mexico nonprofit Sovereign Energy. “Even when tribes lead, engage and help shape the process over many years, you know at this point, there's no guarantee that those outcomes will be respected, as we're seeing by the seven-day public comment. It could set the tone for how sacred sites and public lands are treated nationwide.” The mineral leasing withdrawal in 2023 followed a 150-day comment period. After a year of working for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Scott Davis has stepped down from his role as deputy assistant secretary of Indian Affairs (ASIA). As Brian Bull of Buffalo's Fire reports, Davis is now back in North Dakota and the private sector. Davis is a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe with Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa heritage. He has long been a familiar face across North Dakota, having served as the executive director of the state's Indian Affairs Commission from 2009 to 2021. It was in that capacity that he became friends with Doug Burgum, then governor of North Dakota. When Burgum was confirmed as the 55th U.S. Secretary of the Interior last year, he tapped Davis to join his staff. Davis confesses he was hesitant. “You know when things started getting really busy, and not enough people power in the ASIA Hallway, I said I would help him get things set up, and whether that was a year, two years. But it wasn't solely intended by no means, it was never my goal to be working in government, but sometimes that's where the Creator puts you.” Davis said he is proud to have met with 400 tribes and addressed red tape, natural resources development, and probate while in federal office. He will go back to his consulting and lobbying firm, Tatanka Consulting, which he founded in 2023. He will also spend more time with his family. Among the groups praising Davis' tenure are the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the InterTribal Buffalo Council. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, April 17, 2026 – Storytelling and advocacy through film, culture, and collaboration at Arctic Encounter

Photo: U.S. Department of Interior building. (Kmf164 via Wikimedia) Tribal leaders are raising concerns about a possible overhaul of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that could lead to more staff cuts. During a congressional hearing last week, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) president Mark Macarro warned lawmakers a proposed reorganization could reduce positions critical to delivering funding and services to tribal nations. He says the plan is moving forward without meaningful consultation. Macarro told lawmakers, “this action has been done without consultation with tribal nations and without consideration of the impact it will have on the delivery of programs and services.” A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found workforce reductions have already caused delays and left gaps in services across Indian Country. Federal officials say the changes are intended to improve efficiency, but tribal leaders warn the impacts could be far reaching. Native children playing outside at the Iselta Head Start. (Photo: Jeanette DeDios / KUNM-FM) The Pueblo of Isleta could lose federal funds for its Head Start program because online betting and prediction markets are hurting the tribe's gaming revenues. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) met with tribal leaders last week to discuss the importance of preserving early education programs on sovereign Native lands. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. At the Isleta Head Start, which serves children ages three to five at the pueblo, the program offers both educational and cultural learning like traditional dancing and language learning. Native American communities must do a 20% non-federal match for their Head Start programs in order to receive the remaining 80% of their budget from the federal government, so Isleta Pueblo uses revenues from its casino gaming for the match. But tribal officials say that is now at risk because online gaming platforms use federal regulatory loopholes to offer gambling-like services nationwide, while avoiding state gaming compacts under which tribal casinos must operate. Charles Jojola , 1st Lieutenant Governor for the Pueblo of Isleta, says that every gaming Pueblo has similar concerns. “Coming into our state, unregulated. They’re not sharing any of their revenues. What people gamble, what they make, they’re walking away, you know, from the state with all that money. And as far as Indian tribes go, you know, we’re required.” The Trump administration has eased Biden-era regulations on prediction markets. Rep. Vasquez introduced an amendment to prohibit sports betting using prediction market models. He also co-sponsored another bill that would prohibit members of Congress and the administration from entering into contracts. He says if they do not prohibit this it is going to lead to corruption issues. “Because now you’re able to make predictions or bets on things like world events, on legislation, passing on what the President is going to do tomorrow, on what the Supreme Court case is going to decide on a case that they have before them.” Councilwoman for the Pueblo Eulalia Lucero says this will directly impact the Pueblo's children. “This is the forefront of the foundation of their future, and it’s developing their knowledge, their awareness, so that they can be stronger as they go into the next phases of education.” Vasquez says that online gaming is a clear violation and overstep of the rules that currently exist and it will be one of his top priorities this year. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Tribes scramble to save critical healthcare funding

New funding is supporting efforts to help fossil fuel-dependent communities in our region adapt to other forms of energy. One of the projects will focus on the Four Corners region, including the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. The Mountain West News Bureau's Kaleb Roedel has more. The work is part of an effort led by the nonprofit group Resources for the Future and partner universities. The Four Corners project is backed by about $70,000 and focuses on a Mountain West region long shaped by coal production and power plants and, lately, rising energy costs. Daniel Raimi helps lead the initiative. He says the focus is not simply on replacing fossil fuel jobs. “It doesn’t have to be solar or wind or geothermal or nuclear or anything else. There might be a great opportunity in aerospace, or there might be a great opportunity in some kind of medical sciences, or there might be a great opportunity in tourism.” He says it is about helping tribal communities build new economic paths — on their own terms. President Ronald Reagan speaking at the Christopher Columbus statue dedication at Baltimore's Inner Harbor on October 8, 1984. (Public domain) The Trump administration has placed a one-ton statue of controversial Italian explorer Christopher Columbus on White House grounds. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has more. A national Italian American coalition gifted it to President Donald Trump. The towering 13-foot statue is actually a replica of one first presented by Ronald Reagan to the city of Baltimore. It was toppled by protesters in 2020, but never replaced. Italian-born Massimo Sommacampagna is part of the national group and president of the AZ Italian American Chamber of Commerce. He says they celebrate Columbus Day as an American civic holiday. “Not necessarily the individual and the atrocities that he's been known for in the past.” Especially against Native Americans. David Martinez is Akimel O'odham and runs ASU's Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations. “I mean he bragged about abusing Indigenous women in his diaries.” He thinks erecting a statue of Columbus sends a strong message. “Then you're saying that all of the historical trauma that colonization inflicted on Indigenous people was worth it.” Meanwhile, Phoenix and cities across the country are moving swiftly to erase markers of Cesar Chavez, following allegations of rape and sexual abuse. Martinez believes Americans would feel differently about the Yuma-born labor rights icon if he came to prominence centuries prior. “If Chavez was 400 years ago, we’d probably be seeing a different reaction right now. More people would be inclined to preserve the historic symbolism of Chavez and ignore the criminal behavior.” Arizona lawmakers are looking to abolish a state holiday named after him. Tribal leaders are raising concerns about potential federal cuts that could impact services across Indian Country. The issue came up during a congressional hearing last week in Washington, D.C., on funding for tribal programs. During the hearing, Mark Macarro, president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), says, “Just this week, we learned that the Bureau of Indian Affairs is planning significant cuts to staff critical in administering programs.” Leaders say those changes could delay funding and disrupt services tribal communities rely on. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — The Menu: “A Feather and a Fork” cookbook and preserving ooligan (smelt fish)

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are proposing to update a key housing law for Tribal Nations, as communities across Indian Country continue to face severe housing shortages. Last week, U.S. Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) introduced the American Housing and Self-Determination Modernization Act. The legislation would modernize and reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), which provides federal funding for tribal housing programs, but it has not been fully reauthorized in more than a decade. Rep. Downing said in a press release that “Homeownership is the foundation of the American dream – that doesn't stop with Americans in our tribal communities.” The new act would increase funding and give tribes more flexibility to build, repair, and manage housing, Downing says. He said that, across Indian Country, many Native families are living in overcrowded homes with multiple generations sharing limited space. During that time, tribal leaders say the need has only grown. Mark Macarro, President of the National Congress of American Indians, says in a prepared statement that “the time to reauthorize and modernize NAHASDA is now.” Sharon Vogel is the president of United Native American Housing Association. She says that the legislation “will provide a stable environment for Indian housing development which will have a positive impact on meeting the needs of our tribal communities and families.” Other supporters of the act, quoted in a press release, say the changes are long overdue and warn that, without sustained investment, the gap between available housing and the need will continue to widen. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski  (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) are leading similar legislation in the Senate. The Skiku team traveled to several Interior villages along the Yukon River – Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, and Holy Cross — to teach kids skiing. (Courtesy Skiku) Skiku is a non-profit that brings skiing to communities across rural Alaska. This year, organizers tried something new to make the activity stick – training a village resident to be a coach. As the Alaska Desk’s Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA reports, the idea is to encourage kids to ski throughout winter. Justin River Lechton was a fifth grade student in Aniak, in Southwest Alaska, when he learned to ski. He loved it and started going out on the river with his dogs, breaking trail, and enjoying the freedom the activity brought him. “It brought me outdoors. It took me outside to nature. And I was just enjoying it so much.” Now, Lechton is 21 and becoming a ski coach. In February, he joined the nonprofit Skiku, which taught him how to ski and has been bringing the sport to kids across Alaska. Together, he and the Skiku team traveled to several Interior villages – Grayling, Anvik, and Shageluk. The February trip culminated with a week in another community in the same region – Holy Cross, where Lechton now lives. There, he ran the show. Next winter, he will be the coach for Holy Cross kids. “They’re mostly inside, and it’d be great to get them outside and to do something outdoors, all together, as a team.” Skiku has been around for more than a decade, bringing cross-country ski coaches and equipment to kids in Alaska villages. Tyler Henegan is its executive director. He says usually, after the visit, the skis go back in the closet. Henegan says what's missing is an adult who will take kids out. “To kind of keep those four communities shredding.  In my mind, I have a Jedi Padawan situation where we can kind of have that person mentor folks out there and really kind of hope to make something a little more sustainable too, that’s really more community driven.” That is where Lechton comes in, to keep it going throughout the season. Sonta Hamilton Roach says that children in the region stay active by hauling wood and working outside, but she says they do not get many chances to try themselves in competitive sports. And Roach is happy all four villages in her area are part of this project. “We’re all the same people trying to live good, healthy, quality lives in our communities. When you really see our tribes come together, we can do cool things.” The organizers say they hope to find more residents like Lechton in each of them to keep kids skiing throughout the season. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, March 30, 2026 – Understanding the Jack Abramoff Indian gaming scandal 25 years later

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA • LIVESTREAM: https://youtu.be/1iTI_qqEM3E Witnesses Panel one Cynthia Petersen President, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Panel two Jarred-Michael Erickson Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Jeremy Takala Tribal Councilman, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Panel three Kristopher Peters Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe Loni Greninger Vice-Chair, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Quintin Swanson Chairman, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Robert de los Angeles Chairman, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Panel four Guy Capoeman President, Quinault Indian Nation William (Bill) Iyall Chairman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Louie Ungaro Councilman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Panel five Annette Bryan Councilwoman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Panel six Derek Bowman Tribal Council Member, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Joe Davis Chairman, Hoopa Valley Tribe Panel seven Ed Johnstone Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Jon Panamaroff Co-Chair, Native American Contractors Association Ervin Carlson President, InterTribal Buffalo Council Cody Desautel President, Intertribal Timber Council Panel eight Mark Macarro President, National Congress of American Indians Ira L. Matt Executive Director, Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Amy Minniear Treasurer, NAFOA More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/16/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-2-afternoon-session-2/

Voting rights advocates say a bill to overhaul elections could disenfranchise millions of Americans, especially Native American and other minority voters.  Among other things, the SAVE Act requires all voters to prove their U.S. citizenship, either with a passport or a birth certificate. Numerous studies show Native Americans are less likely to have a valid passport or other documents readily available that prove their place of birth than other groups. It would have major implications for mail-in ballots. The bill passed the House. President Donald Trump added new pressure on members of his own party in the Senate, saying he will not sign any other legislation until the SAVE Act clears Congress. We'll find out the details of the legislation and look ahead to how this and other measures might complicate the Midterm Elections. Allison Renville (Photo: video screen capture) We'll also hear from Allison Renville (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota) about her decision to suspend her campaign for governor of South Dakota. Renville was running as an independent voice in the state that also elected Kristi Noem as governor. She cites the enormous cost of running a major campaign as a deterrent to welcoming diverse political voices. GUESTS Jacqueline De León (Isleta Pueblo), senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund Lenny Fineday (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), general counsel for the National Congress of American Indians Jaynie Parrish (Diné), executive director and founder of Arizona Native Vote Allison Renville (Sisseton and Hunkpapa Lakota and Omaha and Haudenosaunee), activist and political strategist

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published numbers on how many employees left the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) during President Donald Trump's first year in office. BIA focused on reducing its federal workforce through layoffs and hiring freezes. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has details. The 31-page report finds that more than 800 employees were gone by last July. That is roughly 11%. When such restructuring occurs, BIA is supposed to notify tribes in advance. “Tribal leaders told us that the consultations happened after the staff reductions.” Anna Maria Ortiz is director of GAO's natural resources and environmental team. “It's resulting in the loss of a lot of institutional knowledge. It's very hard for BIA to fulfill its mission.” BIA did not offer a comment to GAO on its report, but tells KJZZ it is committed to increasing efficiency, accountability, and support for tribal self-determination. (Courtesy CSPAN) Since assuming his second presidential term last year, Trump has leveled several executive orders that have affected Two Spirits and the Native LGBTQ+ community. Brian Bull (Nez Perce) of Buffalo's Fire reports. Trump's decree for federal agencies is to only recognize “male” and “female” as genders, determined at conception. Trump has also banned gender-affirming care for youth. Elton Naswood is the executive director of the Two Spirit and Native LGBTQ+ Center for Equity. He says, as the White House began its onslaught against his community last year, he reached out to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), which reactivated its Two-Spirit Task Force. “I had heard a community member express the frustration of  ‘Why our people are not protecting us?’ Just that simple phrase really hit me, and instilled some type of advocacy tactic to be able to begin to highlight the issues of how the Trump administration’s executive orders were going to impact our communities.” Before colonization, Two Spirits were accepted and even seen as sacred in many tribes, but over the past few centuries, Western attitudes have sparked intolerance and harassment against them and Native LGBTQ+ people. Naswood says resolutions from the NCAI help, as does carrying on events like the annual Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow. Just being among community is healing, he adds. (Courtesy BLM) Western Washington communities are applauding the state house and senate for including full wildfire prevention funding in their proposed budgets. Isobel Charle has more. The decisions honor a previous legislative commitment. Glenn Ellis Jr. is a board member of The Nature Conservancy and a member of the Makah Tribe. The Makah reservation sits on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula – one of the rainiest places in the country. Ellis notes that while people rarely associate the peninsula with fire, recent years have proven otherwise. “Three years ago, we had two fires sprout up during November. It’s just crazy to think that fire could spread in a place like this during that time. We get 119 inches of rain a year. We’re a temperate rainforest.” Funds from what was known as H.B. 1168, that passed five years ago, have helped 175 small forest landowners in three counties reduce wildfire risk through thinning and prescribed burns. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, March 4, 2026 — Fighting to preserve hard-won gains in K-12 lessons about Native Americans

The National Congress of American Indians hears an update on the Tribal Supreme Court Project on February 11, 2026. The Tribal Supreme Court Project is a joint initiative of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The project is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. SPEAKERS Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, NCAI Tracy Labin Rhodes, Attorney formerly of NARF Melody McCoy, Senior Staff Attorney, NARF The update took place at NCAI's executive council winter session in Washington, D.C.

The National Congress of American Indians hears an update on the Tribal Supreme Court Project on February 11, 2026. The Tribal Supreme Court Project is a joint initiative of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The project is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. SPEAKERS Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, NCAI Tracy Labin Rhodes, Attorney formerly of NARF Melody McCoy, Senior Staff Attorney, NARF The update took place at NCAI's executive council winter session in Washington, D.C.

The National Congress of American Indians hears an update on the Tribal Supreme Court Project on February 11, 2026. The Tribal Supreme Court Project is a joint initiative of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The project is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. SPEAKERS Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, NCAI Tracy Labin Rhodes, Attorney formerly of NARF Melody McCoy, Senior Staff Attorney, NARF The update took place at NCAI's executive council winter session in Washington, D.C.

The National Congress of American Indians hears an update on the Tribal Supreme Court Project on February 11, 2026. The Tribal Supreme Court Project is a joint initiative of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The project is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. SPEAKERS Leonard Fineday, General Counsel, NCAI Tracy Labin Rhodes, Attorney formerly of NARF Melody McCoy, Senior Staff Attorney, NARF The update took place at NCAI's executive council winter session in Washington, D.C.

Canadian energy firm Enbridge will reimburse a northern Wisconsin county for the cost of policing protests expected with construction of the company's Line 5 reroute. As Danielle Kaeding reports, the Ashland County board approved the deal Tuesday. The Wisconsin Counties Association negotiated an agreement where Enbridge will reimburse local governments for public safety costs tied to the Line 5 project in northern Wisconsin. Funds will be deposited into an escrow account managed by the association. Some residents worried the deal would turn local authorities into a private security force. Bad River tribal member Edith Leoso warned against signing the agreement to get reimbursed by Enbridge. “They will feed you what you want to hear, and then they will take everything from this area and leave you to pick up the pieces.” An Enbridge spokesperson said the company volunteered to fund the account. Enbridge also said it received a final US Army Corps permit that the company says will allow construction to move forward, but state approvals for the project are being challenged in court. Enbridge previously paid millions for public safety costs tied to protests of its Line 3 replacement project in Minnesota. ZenniHome founder Bob Worsley shares his excitement about opening up his facility in 2024 atop the former Navajo Generating Station near Page, Ariz. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) A civil lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona alleges a factory on the Navajo Nation was “squandering millions on improper and mysterious expenditures” before suddenly shutting down in July. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has more. The Albuquerque, N.M.-based firm Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture (IDSA) alleges that Mesa subcontractor ZenniHome breached its $50 million deal to build 160 modular homes. “There's a whole lot of money that got dumped into Zenni and obviously only to produce 18 homes, it's a mystery how that occurred.” Attorney Jay Curtis says IDSA is looking to repair the reputation of its founder, Tamarah Begay, in addition to recouping roughly $22 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for the Navajo Nation. ZenniHome CEO Bob Worsley says there will not be a refund of any amount. “No, the money is gone … It's not sitting in somebody's account somewhere, so the company has been liquidated. There's no more assets. It's just almost theater when we spent every dime they gave us, and about $4 million more than that – out of my pocket – so yeah, that's not going to happen.” Worsley also faces a separate federal class action lawsuit after laying off more than 200 employees last year. Rex Lee Jim, Vice President of the Navajo Nation prepares notes prior to a media call in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Radio Studio in Washington, D. C., Monday, March. 3, 2015. (Photo: Bob Nichols / USDA) Former Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim is being remembered for his advocacy for Navajo people, including in education and culture, and as an international diplomat. Jim served as vice president from 2011 to 2015 with Navajo President Ben Shelly. He also served on the Navajo council, was a poet, playwright, author, and traditional medicine man. The Navajo Nation Council said Jim passed away on Tuesday and recognized his dedication to Navajo people, cultural preservation, and global Indigenous advocacy. JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara), former executive director of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), is being remembered for strengthening NCAI's national presence and advocating for Native rights. Chase served as executive director from 1994 to 2001. In a statement Tuesday, NCAI said of Chase's passing that her leadership help the organization become stronger and more visible, working with tribal leaders, Congress, and others. She later worked in philanthropy, policy, and arts, including most recently serving as vice chair of the board for the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, February 25, 2026 — The Menu: Commod Bods, a standout frybread stand, and Afro-Indigenous mutual aid in Minneapolis

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labor reforms - with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. We hear the latest from the ground. US imports continued to outpace exports last year, pushing the country's trade deficit to a record high of about 1.2 trillion dollars. Meanwhile, Canada has narrowed its trade deficit thanks to aerospace exports. We speak to the president a Miami‑based consultancy that looks at trade figures.And Nestle has unveiled its full year results - announcing it was streamlining its operations, including selling its remaining ice cream business to Haagen-Dazs owner Froneri. We hear from someone who represents investors in Nestle as a fund manager with the Lichenstein State Bank and ask if recent baby formula controversy has damaged the company's overall financial position.(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labour reforms, with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. Also, why has the US trade deficit reached a record-high of $1.2 trillion. And, as Nestlé announces its full years results we hear why the company is selling off its ice-cream business.(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labour reforms, with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. Also, why has the US trade deficit reached a record-high of $1.2 trillion. And, as Nestlé announces its full years results we hear why the company is selling off its ice-cream business. (Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

The federal government is encouraging tribes to partner with data centers. That could mean leasing land or, as the Mountain West News Bureau's Hanna Merzbach reports, selling power. At a U.S. Department of Energy webinar, Ken Ahmann with Colusa Indian Energy said that is where the big bucks come in. “ Potentially billions of dollars into the coffers of tribes.” His company provides energy infrastructure to data centers on tribal land. He says these partnerships can be good for tribes that have land and resources to power big projects like the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. Paul Bemore is the chair of the tribe's utility board. “Tribes that are casino-dependent really need to look at other ways to build their economies, and I think data centers is one of those opportunities.” Though Bemore says people may be wary about how this will impact the environment. Other tribes have expressed concerns about data centers draining precious water supplies. (Courtesy Disney) Disney's animated film “Moana 2” has been translated into Hawaiian just like the first movie. Hawai‘i Public Radio's Cassie Ordonio reports. Most Disney productions are dubbed in more than 40 languages after appearing in English. The Moana series is one of them. The sequel made history with a global debut on Disney plus this month – marking the beginning of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month. Lāiana Kanoa-Wong is a member of the “Moana 2” Oceanic Cultural Trust. “Things that you could find on the media or in shows, we didn’t have it. We were watching every cartoon you could imagine at the time. We were watching all of these things, but nothing ever looked and sounded like us. And so being able to be a part of this project was a huge honor and privilege.” Kanoa-Wong was honored to be a part of the project and to see the characters brought to life in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. “It was important to make sure that the maoli Hawai‘i was still strong, like the essence and what we’re trying to say was so strong, even if sometimes it didn’t match perfectly with the lip flap, we forgave ourselves sometimes, if it conveyed the meaning and it was helpful for that purpose, or we would sometimes like we would have written it out, and we’re like, Oh, we got to add a few more things why don’t we add this word or these sounds that can also deepen the meaning, but from a Hawaiian worldview.” “Moana 2” tells the story of the Polynesian princess receiving a call from her wayfinding ancestors. She embarks on a dangerous journey across the ocean, reunites with Maui, and recruits other characters from her home in Motunui to join her. The Hawaiian language version of the film is produced by an all-local cast, including the original Moana voice actress Auli‘i Cravalho. The character Loto is voiced by Native Hawaiian actress Pualalea Panaewa. “For me, it was a very special opportunity to be able to voice a character in such a beloved Disney film series. Moana is huge. Not just amongst our people too. Not just amongst Hawaiians or Polynesians or Oceania like in the world.” Jim Gray, former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation, is being remembered for his leadership and advocacy for Indian Country. He passed away last week at age 64. Chairperson Ben Barnes of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma says Gray's achievements for his tribe and Indian Country have left a profound impact, including modernizing the Osage Nation's government by ratifying its first constitution, and securing equal voting rights for every Osage member. The National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro says Gray devoted his life to strengthening the Osage Nation and advancing tribal sovereignty. Funeral services are being held Monday on the Osage Nation. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, February 16, 2026 — Tribes come to grips with $1.5 billion federal funding retraction

The past year has seen Leonard Peltier's release from prison, record revenue from casinos and other economic development, and the addition of a new federally recognized tribe. It is also seen major upheaval in federal funds and staff that directly affect Indian Country. Looking ahead, tribes are navigating the potential loss of lucrative federal contracts and indications that consultation and treaty rights are taking a back seat. We'll get the annual status update from National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro. GUEST Dr. Renae Ditmer (Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians), journalist and independent economic development consultant Break 1 Music: Intertribal (song) Blackfoot Confederacy (artist) Confederacy Style (album) Break 2 Music: Taste Of Red Bull [Crow Hop] (song) Cree Confederation (artist) Horse Dance – Mistamim Simoowin (album)