Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs will be participating in the annual convention and tradeshow for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) at the Phoenix Convention Center this week.
VA officials from the Veterans Benefits and Health Administrations, National Cemetery Administration and the Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service will be on site to answer questions and share information with the attendees, Tuesday through Thursday.
Participation in the NCAI increases awareness of the services offered by VA to this population of veterans, who serve proportionately higher on active duty than other groups. The Census Bureau estimates there are approximately 165, 000 American Indian or Alaska Native veterans in the United States.
The NCAI was founded in 1944 in response to termination and assimilation policies that the United States forced upon the tribal governments in contradiction of their treaty rights and status as sovereigns. NCAI stressed the need for unity and cooperation among tribal governments for the protection of their treaty and sovereign rights. Since 1944, the National Congress of American Indians has been working to inform the public and Congress on the governmental rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Over a half a century later, their goals remain unchanged. NCAI has grown over the years from its modest beginnings of 100 people to include 250 member tribes from throughout the United States. Now serving as the major national tribal government organization, NCAI is positioned to monitor federal policy and coordinated efforts to inform federal decisions that affect tribal government interests.
Now as in the past, NCAI serves to secure for their members and their descendants the rights and benefits to which they are entitled; to enlighten the public toward the better understanding of the Indian people; to preserve rights under Indian treaties or agreements with the United States; and to promote the common welfare of the American Indians and Alaska Natives.
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