Encouraging the Secretary of Energy to Expand Funding for Tribal Building Weatherization
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 13
“ENCOURAGING THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO EXPAND FUNDING FOR TRIBAL BUILDING WEATHERIZATION”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; and
WHEREAS, the Energy Conservation and Production Act (“the Act”) (42 U.S.C. §6863) establishes a program for grants to Indian Tribal Organizations for weatherization; and
WHEREAS, the Act also requires the Secretary of Energy to reserve, from amounts that would otherwise be allocated to a state, between 100% and 150% of the proportion of tribal low-income residents of a state so that tribal organizations serving low-income members (including NAHASDA) may apply for a direct grant of those funds; and
WHEREAS, Indian housing is often in extremely cold or extremely hot areas of the United States and housing is often of poor quality and is not energy efficient and is in desperate need of funding for weatherization; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby encourage the Secretary of Energy to expand funding for weatherization in Indian Country and to fully and quickly implement the provisions of the Energy Conservation and Production Act.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 23:54:002020-02-11 00:01:08Encouraging the Secretary of Energy to Expand Funding for Tribal Building Weatherization
Supporting Federal Income Tax Immunity for Income Earned on Tribal Lands and Authorizing Tax Payments to Tribal Governments Instead of the Federal Government
X
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 12
“SUPPORTING FEDERAL INCOME TAX IMMUNITY FOR INCOME EARNED ON TRIBAL LANDS AND AUTHORIZING TAX PAYMENTS TO TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
INSTEAD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Constitution defines a class of “Indians not taxed” to describe the status of American Indians in 1789 who were living and working within their own tribal lands under the sovereign authority of our own tribal governments and outside the jurisdiction of the United States government (U.S. Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 2, Cl. 3); and
WHEREAS, American Indians today continue to live and work on tribal lands under the sovereign authority of our tribal governments but are forced to pay taxes to the United States for income earned on tribal lands; and
WHEREAS, in 1913, when the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted to authorize the federal income tax, American Indians were not expressly made subject to its application nor was any treaty entered into that consented to such taxation; and
WHEREAS, in 1924, the United States government enacted the Indian Citizenship Act which naturalized all American Indians as U.S. citizens without consent, which has served as the basis for the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts to hold that Indians are subject to federal income tax; and
WHEREAS, despite the grant of U.S. citizenship, the federal government continues to recognize that income earned by Indians from tribal lands are not subject to federal income tax, that Indians who earn income from fishing, hunting, and gathering from tribal lands and waters are not subject to federal income tax, and that revenues earned by Indian tribal governments from all sources are not subject to federal income tax; and
WHEREAS, the collection of federal income tax from Indians for income earned on tribal lands (i) violates provisions of the U.S. Constitution; (ii) undermines Indian entrepreneurship; and (iii) divests scarce economic resources away from Indian nations that could be better utilized to support Indian people, their families, and the future generations of our tribal nations; and
WHEREAS, currently, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code provides that American citizen residents of U.S. territories like Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands are not subject to federal income tax because they pay taxes and make contributions to their own territorial governments; and
WHEREAS, Members of Congress and the Trump Administration should support any and all efforts to retain scarce economic resources in Indian Country and strengthen the self-governance and self-determination of American Indian tribal nations; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI calls upon the U.S. Congress to enact amendments to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that:
1. Eliminates the federal income tax on income earned by Indians on tribal lands and not just from tribal lands and waters; and
2. Creates a 100% tax credit against any federal income tax obligation for taxes or contributions paid by an Indian to our tribal governments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to regional and national forums, not limited to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), United South & Eastern Tribes (USET), California Association of Tribal Governments, Native American Finance Officers (NAFOA), the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association, and the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST).
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a Quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Jeanie Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 23:50:002020-02-10 23:53:13Supporting Federal Income Tax Immunity for Income Earned on Tribal Lands and Authorizing Tax Payments to Tribal Governments Instead of the Federal Government
Supporting Tribal Opportunity Zones and Job Creation Legislation
X
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 11
“SUPPORTING TRIBAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES AND JOB CREATION LEGISLATION”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress recently enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 115-97, on December 22, 2017 in which approximately $1.5 trillion will be invested in the U.S. economy through tax cuts and tax credits for individuals and corporations; and
WHEREAS, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act contains no provisions supporting private sector investment and job creation in Indian Country, but contains a new program called the
Opportunity Zones program to promote investment in economically distressed areas in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Opportunity Zones must be designated by the governor of a state, which in states like Washington has included every Indian tribal territory, but has not included all tribal lands within Indian Country; and
WHEREAS, Indian Country is in great need of incentives for investment and job creation; and
WHEREAS, Members of Congress and the Trump Administration should support any and all efforts to improve investment and job creation in Indian Country; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI calls on the U.S. Congress to enact changes in federal law to create incentives for investment and job creation in Indian Country in support of efforts by tribal governments to establish strong tribal economies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI supports legislation to promote investment and job creation in Indian Country through:
1. Amendment of the Opportunity Zone program to allow for the designation of every Indian tribal territory as an eligible opportunity zone; and
2. Establishment of federal tax credits such as the Indian Employment Tax Credit, Accelerated Depreciation for Business Property on Indian Reservations (or equivalent), the New Markets Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to regional and national forums, not limited to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), United South & Eastern Tribes (USET), California Association of Tribal Governments, Native American Finance Officers (NAFOA), the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association, and the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST).
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Opposing Oregon Senate Bill 444 and Any Other New Nuclear Power Plants in Oregon
X
Amended
2019 Winter Convention
Portland Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 10
“OPPOSING OREGON SENATE BILL 444 AND ANY OTHER NEW NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS IN OREGON”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, since time immemorial, our economy, culture, religions and way of life has been centered around our fishing, hunting, and gathering resources, and the lands and waters upon which they depend, and we have been and remain careful and conscientious stewards over them to ensure their continued health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, ATNI member Tribes depend on the natural resources of this region to sustain our way of life, rights to fish, hunt and gather, our economies, human health and fulfill our sacred obligation to protect our First Foods and our most precious natural resources, water; and
WHEREAS, ATNI member Tribes work tirelessly to protect tribal members health, safety, welfare, and futures both within and external to tribal reservations; and
WHEREAS, ATNI member Tribes recognize that, notwithstanding new smaller modular designs being developed in North America, all nuclear power requires nuclear fuel and generates nuclear waste; and
WHEREAS, uranium mining, nuclear power and nuclear weapons production, and nuclear waste disposal has occurred in areas within or in close proximity to tribal lands without significant input or consideration of tribal interests or rights; and
WHEREAS, the nuclear fuel cycle poses significant risks to human safety, human health, sacred foods & medicines, homelands, waterways, and the air relied upon by ATNI tribes due to its long-lived toxicity; and
WHEREAS, Oregon law currently prohibits the construction of nuclear power plants in Oregon until “an adequate repository for the disposal of the high-level radioactive waste produced by the plant has been licensed to operate by the appropriate agency of the federal government” (ORS 469.595). If such a high-level radioactive waste repository is federally licensed, then the proposed nuclear plant in Oregon is subject to statewide voter approval (ORS 469.597); and
WHEREAS, Oregon Senate Bill 444 would change Oregon’s law to allow Oregon cities and counties to pass ordinances allowing nuclear reactors of 300 megawatts or less in their jurisdiction without a permanent repository for the high-level radioactive waste they would create; and
WHEREAS, Oregon Senate Bill 444 would also bypass the current requirement for statewide voter approval for new nuclear reactors in the state of Oregon; and
WHEREAS, current Oregon laws provide important protections for tribal communities and the resources they rely upon who may face contamination from the construction and operation of new nuclear power plants and risks from orphaned nuclear waste; and
WHEREAS, radioactive waste from the shuttered Trojan Nuclear Power Plant remains stored on the shores of the Columbia River, a testament to the difficulty of identifying a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI opposes Senate Bill 444; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI hereby supports the basic principle that new nuclear power plants must demonstrate the availability of a deep geologic repository for high-level waste before gaining approval; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI has identified that nuclear waste often places a disproportionate pollution burden on tribal communities, and a county-level or city-level vote may not be the appropriate forum to address these challenges; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI calls upon the 2019 Oregon Legislature to reject Senate Bill 444 and any other new nuclear power plants in Oregon.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 23:02:002020-02-10 23:34:44Opposing Oregon Senate Bill 444 and Any Other New Nuclear Power Plants in Oregon
Promoting the Clean Energy and Carbon Reduction Policies in Washington
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 09
“PROMOTING THE CLEAN ENERGY AND CARBON REDUCTION POLICIES IN WASHINGTON”
PREAMBLE
We the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples in the U.S., including 567 federally-recognized Tribes, are facing immediate and significant impacts from climate change; and
WHEREAS, a growing body of literature illustrates the unique issues facing Tribes as a result of climate change, including the recently developed Primer on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples, Guidelines for Considering Traditional Knowledges (TKs) in Climate Change Initiatives, and the special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Climatic Change, “Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples in the United States: Impacts, Experiences and Actions;” and
WHEREAS, the transition to clean energy presents economic and community benefit opportunities that surpass further expansion of the fossil fuel economy; and
WHEREAS, renewable sources of energy can have significant public health and other co-benefits that can help address pressing ecological and environmental justice challenges in sensitive ecosystems, Tribal governments, and Native American and rural communities in Washington and around the country; and
WHEREAS, Tribes and Native Americans have unique experiences and energy expertise and, communities are at the frontline of climate change, but are often not included in policy conversations; and
WHEREAS, equitable solutions exist to ensure shared benefits from renewable energy and a transition to a clean energy economy, including but not limited to; access to the financial services, community-based development of renewable energy, equitable pricing structures, community solar programs with low-income carve-outs, non-profit organization leadership, and access to public energy conservation facilities; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby call upon all Washington state government officials, including state agencies to ensure that tribes are full partners in developing and implementing state policy to address mitigating and adapting to climate change in Washington; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI supports Washington state policy and programs that limit climate pollution, internalizes the external costs from that pollution, and invests proceeds in reducing climate pollution and promoting community benefit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI members will proactively engage in advancing state efforts to reduce climate pollution and promote clean energy jobs by:
1. Supporting Washington Tribes efforts to develop carbon policy legislation;
2. Submitting letters of support from individual tribal governments to decision-makers;
3. Participating in implementation processes where possible;
4. Defending against opposition and efforts to weaken or repeal;
5. Supporting the coordination and involvement of Washington Tribes; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI moves to support Washington Tribes in developing and promoting Washington State policy and legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest proceeds in Washington’s clean energy economy and call on all Washington state government officials, including state agencies to ensure that Washington tribes are full partners in developing and implementing effective greenhouse gas reduction legislation.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 22:58:002020-02-10 23:02:07Promoting the Clean Energy and Carbon Reduction Policies in Washington
Calling on the City of Tacoma and the State of Washington to Conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to Analyze the Full Impacts of the Proposed Tacoma LNG Plant
X
Amended
2019 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 08
“CALLING ON THE CITY OF TACOMA AND THE STATE OF WASHINGTON TO CONDUCT A SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO ANALYZE THE FULL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED TACOMA LNG PLANT”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, since time immemorial, our economy, culture, religions and way of life has been centered around our fishing, hunting, and gathering resources, and the lands and waters upon which they depend, and we have been and remain careful and conscientious stewards over them to ensure their continued health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, the tribes of ATNI depend on the natural resources of this region to sustain; our way of life, rights to fish, hunt and gather, our economies, human health and fulfill our sacred obligation to protect our First Foods and our most precious natural resources, water; and
WHEREAS, the tribes of ATNI work tirelessly to protect tribal members health, safety, welfare, and futures both within and without tribal reservations; and
WHEREAS, the tribes of ATNI recognize that liquefied natural gas (LNG) could provide a cleaner fuel for ships, trucks, or cars than other fuel sources; however, ATNI tribes cannot accept that tribes, their members and tribal lands are bearing a disproportionate share of the significant risks posed by LNG facilities; and
WHEREAS, federal, state and local agencies are supporting LNG storage facilities in areas within, or in close proximity to, tribal lands without significant input or consideration of tribal interests or rights; and
WHEREAS, LNG storage and the untested technology for such facilities pose significant risks to human safety, human health, and natural resources due to explosive risks, spill risks, and risks to the health of natural resources relied upon by ATNI tribes; and
WHEREAS, LNG proponents are not fully analyzing and disclosing to ATNI tribes or the general public the risks posed by LNG to human safety, human health, and natural resources due to explosive risks, spill risks, and risks to the health of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Tribes’ ancestral industry of fisheries relies on sustainable resources that will face detrimental impacts from the construction and operation of LNG storage and fueling facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Proposed Tacoma LNG Plant continues to be constructed without the necessary permits and has changed significantly since the original environmental impact statement was completed including, but not limited to; increased use for marine applications, more ships proposed for fueling from the facility, changed mitigation which is inadequate to address fisheries impacts, additional fueling facilities where the applicants assured permitting authorities that was not part of the project and reduced peak shaving for utility customers; and
WHEREAS, the changes are significant and lead to unanalyzed environmental impacts that most be analyzed in a supplemental environmental impact statement; and
WHEREAS, significant shortfalls in the safety analysis have been identified by the Puyallup Tribe and other regional experts; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI is opposed to the siting of the Proposed Tacoma LNG Plant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI supports a strategy to document and disclose the true risks of construction and operation of LNG storage and distribution facilities to
accurately disclose the risks involved with such facilities and promote siting of such facilities in areas where such risks are not disproportionately absorbed by tribes and such risks are lessened for the public as a whole; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI has identified that several of the failures to document and disclose the risks of construction and operation of the LNG plant are best addressed through a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and, a complete analysis of environmental justice concerns and human health study, which have not been completed to date; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI calls upon the City of Tacoma to require a supplemental EIS and, the State of Washington and Federal authorities to urge the City of Tacoma to require a supplemental EIS or, conduct a supplemental EIS under their own authority, to be scoped accordingly through public comment; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI calls for all Federal, State and Local agencies to ensure compliance with all permitting requirements and conditions imposed upon the Proposed Tacoma LNG Plant by demanding the proponents cease construction activities.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 22:37:002020-02-10 22:44:49Calling on the City of Tacoma and the State of Washington to Conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to Analyze the Full Impacts of the Proposed Tacoma LNG Plant
Protect and Restore Salmon, Southern Resident Orcas, and Treaty Rights
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 07
“PROTECT AND RESTORE SALMON, SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS,
AND TREATY RIGHTS”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; and
WHEREAS, as indigenous peoples, we honor in all ways our relation to Creation and in that spirit acknowledge a sacred obligation to ensure all our relations are treated in a dignified manner that reflects our tribal cultural values passed down since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, our ATNI youth leaders recognize that our salmon, traditional foods and resources need bold action in order to sustain our families and future generations for as long as the rivers flow; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has the trust responsibility to protect our salmon, lamprey, steelhead and southern resident orcas, for future generations; and
WHEREAS, the Columbia River basin’s salmon and steelhead runs were once among the largest in the world, with around 10-16 million fish returning to the basin annually, but have declined significantly, as have the populations of other critical species, including lamprey and sturgeon; and
WHEREAS, climate change is placing an increasing strain on the ecosystem of the Columbia River basin; and
WHEREAS, chinook salmon comprise at least 80% of the diet of endangered southern resident orcas – over 50% of it from the Columbia River basin (which includes the Snake River watershed) – and dwindling chinook runs are the leading cause for the decline of those orcas to a critically low breeding population of fewer than 30 individuals; and
WHEREAS, the removal of dams in the Columbia River basin may prove to be the most effective way to protect and restore for future generations the natural resources on which our communities depend; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is concerned that current federal laws concerning the Columbia River basin have not been developed to fully protect and restore cultural, natural, and treaty-reserved resources; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI hereby calls upon its member tribes and upon federal and state legislators to identify and advocate strategies for strengthening federal and state laws and regulations governing natural and cultural resource protection throughout the Columbia River basin; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these strategies and proposed revisions to federal environmental laws and regulations should consider the impacts of climate change on tribal and treaty-protected natural and cultural resources, and should require a meaningful evaluation of dam removal in the Columbia River basin.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 22:29:002020-02-10 22:34:56Protect and Restore Salmon, Southern Resident Orcas, and Treaty Rights
Support for the Native American Spirituality and Re-Entry Advisory Committee in its Endeavors to Work with Native American Adults in Custody in Oregon
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 04
“SUPPORT FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY AND RE-ENTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN ITS ENDEAVORS TO WORK WITH NATIVE AMERICAN ADULTS IN CUSTODY IN OREGON”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous people account for a disproportionate number of Adults in Custody, Department of Justice research data shows Native Americans are incarcerated at a rate of 38% higher than the national average and 70% of youth taken into federal custody are Native American; and
WHEREAS, racial identity specific to population data of Indigenous people incarcerated within the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) appear to be dramatically undercounted; as the state of Oregon Native American population is approximately 1.8%, ODOC Native American population is listed at 2.7%, Native American Religious Service Volunteers believe the numbers to be at least 4% to 5% of the total prison population; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous people face challenges that other adults in custody do not, due to cultural isolation, high disparity numbers and, loss of self (identity); and
WHEREAS, the Indigenous population continues to experience oppression and discrimination within the dominant society and, oppression is also reflected within the Oregon Native prison population; and
WHEREAS, Religious, spiritual and cultural needs are poorly understood, and many times dismissed as unnecessary, within institutional settings; and
WHEREAS, the Native American Spirituality and Reentry Advisory Committee (NASRAC) was formed in September 2018 to provide formal and informal oversight and assistance in supporting authentic Indigenous teachings, spirituality and reentry behind the Iron Doors of Oregon state prisons and jails; and
WHEREAS, the NASRAC is made up of Indigenous people who have experience volunteering their time and sharing knowledge within a correctional facility, have been formally incarcerated, and/or formally represent one of the 9 federally recognized Oregon Tribes; and
WHEREAS, the NASRAC and ATNI agree that tribal governments should support the work being done by faithful volunteers providing services within Oregon prisons, through a Government-to-Government relationship specific to addressing Policies, Administrative Rule, accountability for lost or damaged religious service items, lack of communication, barriers to volunteering, and access to programming; and
WHEREAS, there are prisons within the ODOC with large numbers of tribal members who have limited, or have lost, programming due to a lack of Native American Religious Service volunteers being available to help facilitate programs; and
WHEREAS, active Native American Religious Services volunteers for Oregon prisons presently number 24 and, NASRAC and ATNI recognize there is great need to support these volunteers and programs, regardless of their tribal affiliation; and volunteers frequently travel long distances (most without financial compensation), and state they continue to deal with chronic unresolved issues specific to their programs; and
WHEREAS, NASRAC reports that the ODOC response to limited and/or lost programming, ultimately falls upon the shoulders of poverty stricken Native communities and tribes to provide each institution with volunteers and necessary resources; and
WHEREAS, Religious Freedom and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), balance the right to exercise religion against the government’s interests in security, safety, health and cost controls; and
WHEREAS, Washington state has been successful in providing consistent Native American Religious and Reentry services to their state prison facilities for many years, by contracting with a Native American led, independent non-profit known as Native American and Reentry Services; and
WHEREAS, critical decision making and alterations to current programming involving Native American Religious Services, should always be made in collaboration with Native American Religious Services providers and appointed tribal representatives. Access to Religious Services should not be restricted based on Incentive Level, or an administrative need whose intent is to homogenize all religious services programs; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby call upon the Oregon Department of Corrections to comply with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), and take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that the religious, spiritual and cultural needs of all Native persons in the State’s custody are met; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby acknowledge and recognize the Native American Spirituality and Reentry Advisory Committee (NASRAC) as a Native organization that was created to provide formal and informal oversight and assistance in supporting authentic Indigenous teachings, spirituality and reentry behind the Iron Doors of Oregon state prisons and jails; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI calls upon tribal and state governments to support the work being done by faithful volunteers providing services within Oregon prisons, through a Government to Government relationship specific to addressing Policies, Administrative Rule, accountability for lost or damaged religious service items, lack of communication, barriers to volunteering, and access to programming; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby call upon the ODOC and the Tribes of Oregon State to work collaboratively to identify an independent organization to be employed by ODOC to develop, implement and staff a minimum standard of programming for each institution, specific to serving Adults in Custody who self identify as Native American, First Nations or Indigenous People; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby support an independent demographic survey to be designed and implemented within all ODOC facilities with tribal input and tribal representation as the purpose of an independent study is to identify the number of
tribes represented, as well as to identify the spiritual, cultural and reentry needs of the Indigenous population presently incarcerated.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a Quorum present.
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 21:49:002020-02-10 21:57:16Support for the Native American Spirituality and Re-Entry Advisory Committee in its Endeavors to Work with Native American Adults in Custody in Oregon
“ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, the United States has a unique and special relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) to provide health care as established through the U.S. Constitution, Treaties, U.S. Supreme Court decisions and federal legislation; and
WHEREAS, although the trust relationship requires the federal government to provide for the health and welfare of tribal nations, the Indian Health Service (IHS) remains chronically underfunded and AI/ANs suffer from among the lowest health status nationally; and
WHEREAS, IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, administers health care to 2.2 million AI/ANs residing in tribal communities in 35 states, directly, or through contracts or compacts with tribes and tribal organizations under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDEAA); and
WHEREAS, in recent years, federal appropriation bills have not been enacted in a timely manner, thus hampering tribal and IHS health care providers’ budgeting, recruitment, retention, provision of services, facility maintenance, and construction efforts; and
WHEREAS, since FY 1998, there has only been one year (FY2006) in which the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill has been enacted before the beginning of the new fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, ATNI believes that moving to the Advance Appropriations process protects tribes and tribal organizations and the IHS direct service units from cash flow problems that regularly occur at the start of the federal fiscal year due to delays in enactment of annual appropriations legislation; and
WHEREAS, Congress has recognized the difficulties inherent in the provision of direct health care that relies on the appropriations process and traditional funding cycle through enactment of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (PL 111-81), which authorized Advance Appropriations for Veterans Administration (VA) medical care programs; and
WHEREAS, IHS should be afforded the same budgetary certainty and protections extended to the VA which is also a federally-funded provider of direct health care; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize Advance Appropriations for IHS; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress include our recommendation for Advance Appropriations for IHS in the Budget Resolution; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress include in the enacted appropriations bill Advance Appropriations for IHS.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the Doubletree by Hilton – Portland Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 21:42:002020-02-10 21:48:50Advance Appropriations for Indian Health Service
2020 Census: Democracy Reform that Supports Tribal Sovereignty
X
2019 Winter Convention
Portland Oregon
RESOLUTION #19 – 16
“2020 CENSUS: DEMOCRACY REFORM THAT SUPPORTS TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census data is used to determine the distribution of Congressional seats to states, used to define legislative districts, school district assignment areas, and other important functional areas of government; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census has become a tool for democracy and democracy reform, improving representation in government; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI hereby commits to work towards democracy reforms within the government system after the U.S. Census data is collected and analyzed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, these democracy reforms will be more inclusive of Tribal Nations, recognize the existing rights of Tribal Nations, support Tribal sovereignty, and will create more effective representation.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
