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.