The survival of American Indian and Alaska Native languages is essential to the success of tribal communities and Native ways of life. However, without urgent and sustained intervention, far too many Native languages risk extinction within the coming decades. In this episode of The Sentinel, we highlight the urgency of this issue, and examine the creative and innovative solutions that many tribal communities are undertaking to counteract language loss.

First, we hear from Daniel Golding (Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe), producer of the documentary “Language is Life,” which aired on the PBS network as part of the “Native America” series. Golding sheds light on the inherent challenges of revitalizing Native languages and his own unique personal perspective as he embarked upon learning the Quechan language.

Next, we present segments from the “Native Language Preservation” panel discussion held at the 2024 NCAI Mid Year Convention & Marketplace in Cherokee, North Carolina. Representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe participated in a lively discussion at the Third General Assembly. Panelists recounted the challenges of language preservation, but also shared strategies, projects and techniques that have resulted in successful outcomes for their tribal communities.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we commemorate the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act, passed into law on June 2, 1924. Also known as The Snyder Act, this pivotal piece of legislation granted citizenship to all American Indian people born within the limits of the United States.

Join us as we look back at the origins of this law, and its connections to NCAI despite predating the organization’s inception by two decades. We examine the intent and limitations of the legislation and the advocacy that NCAI has undertaken to ensure that all benefits of citizenship are conferred equally upon American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. As we approach the 2024 Presidential Election, the enfranchisement of Indian Country is a particularly pertinent issue.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the origins of the Farm Bill. Although not a common household name, this massive omnibus bill touches many aspects of our personal lives. It governs agriculture, regulates food prices, legislates food policy and production, establishes funding for food distribution programs, and much more.

The first Farm Bill was passed into law more than 80 years ago, during the Great Depression. Despite the fact that agriculture is a large part of tribal economies, Tribal Nations have only recently been actively engaged in the drafting of this legislation. This episode examines NCAI’s history of advocacy to ensure Native voices are not just heard but deeply integrated into new iterations of the bill. Finally, looking forward to the 2024 reauthorization, we highlight the need for legislators to continue consulting with Tribal Nations. Integrating tribal perspectives into the legislative process is vital in shaping future agricultural policy with inclusivity and resonance.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we examine a critical piece of legislation aimed at remedying past injustices by addressing the treatment and repatriation of cultural items, objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, and human remains. Since its enactment in 1990, the Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has presented considerable hurdles for Tribal Nations, museums, and cultural entities alike.

Throughout this episode, we will look back at the National Congress of American Indians' historical advocacy efforts leading up to the enactment of this legislation. Then, we will discuss the inherent complexities of NAGPRA and analyze the recent regulatory changes announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, examining their implications for museum practices, collections, and exhibitions nationwide.

In this episode of the Sentinel, we celebrate the start of Women’s History Month this March by exploring the gender pay gap – an issue that not only affects Native women, but also their families and communities as well. As the United States recently commemorated the 15th Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, some news outlets have recently announced progress in narrowing the pay gap. However, deep and pervasive inequality still exists for Native women. In this episode, we discuss recent research stating their earnings at 51 cents on the dollar compared to white men. There is a critical need to address this statistic, so join us as we discuss this important subject that touches on issues of gender equity, economic well-being and security, family stability, caregiving, and more.

In this Special Episode of the Sentinel, we examine the root causes of government shutdowns. Congress has resorted to continuing resolutions and stop gap measures to fund the government. Surely this seems like ‘the new normal’. But what does this mean for Tribal Nations, citizens and the overall economic health and well being of tribal governments and citizens? 

NCAI staff expert Matt Vogel, Policy Lead on Budget and Appropriations, joins us to offer key insights from his work on this issue. We uncover what is truly at stake every time Indian Country faces a looming government shutdown. We are sure this episode will be of interest to all of our listeners.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we journey back in time to trace the origins of the Executive Council Winter Session (ECWS), one of NCAI’s three annual conferences. This policy-focused gathering of Tribal leaders happens at the start of each year and has its roots in the 1950s, during an era when Tribal Nations were fighting against the forces of Termination and threats to self-determination and self-governance. This episode provides insight into the issues that were discussed and resolved at the original meeting, and how many of them still ring true today. 

In the second half of this episode, we focus on the State of Indian Nations address, now an annual speech given by the NCAI President during ECWS. We will explore why leaders felt it was imperative that the NCAI President address the nation, just as the U.S. President offers an annual State of the Union address. Sentinel listeners will hear some key highlights and quotes from the first address in 2003, making it clear that many of the same challenges that Tribal Nations faced then have yet to be resolved.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we share an inspirational story from NCAI’s archives–the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Mutual Assistance. Created by NCAI leaders in 1947 with the purpose of forging Tribal Nations together in unity and purpose, the Treaty is far from just a stagnant archival document–it carries a message that still resonates with us today. 

The looming threat of termination and emerging threats to self-governance in the 1940s form the backdrop of this story. Learn about the Treaty’s journey as it traveled across the country to gather signatures from Tribal leaders. Hear how notable leaders delivered inspirational messages to the audiences as they affixed their signatures to this historic document, pledging to  to work with, defend and mutually assist other Tribal Nations. 

Although the actual Treaty has yet been located, its spirit is alive and well. It serves to remind us of the purpose of NCAI and guides the organization's work defending sovereignty and self-determination today.