These viewpoints are too important to allow the NCAI to represent the tribes on this issue. They do not represent all of the Federally Recognized Tribes who need to participate in this discussion. If they have had these discussions at their Annual Meetings then the majority of the Sioux (I’m using this term to represent all of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota or the Oceti Sakowin) have been left out. Furthermore, their attorneys are non-Indians who may understand Indian Law but are not experts on all of the Treaties the United States signed with the tribes.
Without serious dialogue by all of the Tribal Nations and a clear understanding of what this would mean to each - either your position (Steven) or the NCAI’s this is once more keeping the tribes in the dark while someone speaks for us. There are clear standards for what designates a nation by the UN. There will be many of the over 500+ Federally Recognized Tribes that will not be able to meet those standards. So who will be invited to the table to discuss this issue?
Who will control the table and set the agenda. I for one no longer trust the NCAI because it is now controlled by many very, very small communities of Indians who claim to be nations with 40 or fewer members and only less than 25 acres of land. Where my own tribe with over 10,000 members and 2.5 million acres of land is out voted so no longer participate in this farce. The Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires = Sioux) is a nation; the Navajo (Deni) are a nation; the Tlingit & Haida are a nation; the Cherokee are a nation; etc. Is there a place for these large tribes and large land based tribes to have a place where they are shown the respect needed to come to some type of understanding?
We all have a major role to play in this discussion so why is this not happening. This is a question for Ambassador Harper to be asked. What does he have to say about this important issue or does he have to sing the company song and support the Ambassador of the United States to the UN? This is where he can play an important role – will he play it? So now that you brought this to our attention what should happen? I am a believer in bringing issues up but also offering solutions – therefore, what do you suggest?