Congresswoman McCollum's Remarks Before the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Good morning! It is an honor to be with you today. I want to thank NCAI President Jefferson Keel of the Chickasaw Nation for this very special invitation to join you today. Thank you for the warm welcome, but more importantly, thank you for being here in Washington, DC.

Thank you for making your voice heard in Congress. Your voices, the voices of Indian leaders must be heard in the policy debate that is shaping the future of our country in 2012 and shaping the future of Indian Country.

NCAI is an important and respected organization that ensures the priorities of your communities and your Nations are the priorities of Members of Congress. In my home state of Minnesota there are 11 Ojibwe and Sioux tribal nations. We are a state blessed with some tremendous tribal leadership, both experienced elders and new emerging leaders.

The wisdom of NCAI is to have two of Minnesota's most respected leaders on its executive board. Council Member Ribs Whitebird of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is a Midwest Area Vice-President Alternate. Chief Executive Marge Anderson of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is a former Midwest Area Vice President Council Member Whitebird and Chief Executive Anderson are both distinguished leaders, dear friends, and trusted mentors whose opinions I take to heart.

I was first elected to Congress in 2000, but before that I was a Minnesota state legislator working on some of the most difficult tribal issues our state has faced. This is where I learned that tribal sovereignty is not a sometimes matter or a position to support when it is politically convenient.

Tribal sovereignty is a right, a right that is to be honored, respected, and defended – across Indian Country and in Congress. Whether it was defending hunting and fishing rights, honoring our state's gaming compact, or opposing expanding a the storage of nuclear waste next to a tribal community against their wishes: I will always stand and vote to protect tribal sovereignty.

Now, as a Democratic member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee I have a seat at the table on funding issues that directly impact families, children, elders, and communities across Indian Country. I am very proud to be working with two dear friends – Republican friends – who share a common respect for tribal sovereignty and a commitment to honoring federal obligations to Native communities. They are Interior Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson and Rep. Tom Cole. Mike and Tom are terrific partners and we will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to keep needed federal dollars going to the priorities you feel are most important.

One of the issues that I feel passionate about is ensuring every generation of Indian youth has the opportunity to study, learn and speak their tribal language. Language is identity and it is like a stream that flows from one's ancestors to the present and on to generations in the future. I have worked on increasing funding for Esther Martinez in the past and I will continue to make Native language preservation and education a priority. I want to every Indian child have the opportunity to make the language of their ancestors their own language... and the language of their children.

There are so many other critical needs in Indian Country that the federal government has an obligation and responsibility to fulfill and fund. For those of us in Congress who have a responsibility to work with you to set priorities, I want to say that NCAI's Indian Country Budget Request is an important and valuable document that is truly a guide for me.

I hope you put the FY2013 request in every the hands of every Member of Congress and give them some simple direction – FUND IT!

Yes, our country is facing serious fiscal issues. We have a budget deficit that must be controlled and tough choices do need to be made. But let me say to you all today, funding for Indian education, health care, justice programs, environmental protection, Indian housing, or economic development is not the reason the federal government has a budget problem. These critical investments in Indian Country have for too long been neglected and underfunded. Congress must not cut the deficit by cutting programs vital to the future Indian children or elders or families. This Congress needs to fully fund the programs to meet your needs – the needs of Indian Country – today and the opportunities for tomorrow.

Funding is important, it is absolutely critical. But so are policies that create the framework for tribal communities to be strong and Indian families to be safe, healthy, and successful.

Yesterday, I joined Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren as an original co-sponsor as he introduced the SAVE Native Women Act, a bill to combat trafficking and violence against Native women. This bill also will help give tribal courts the tools to prosecute non-tribal members who perpetrate domestic violent against Native women on reservations. Violence against Indian women is a destructive epidemic that must be stopped. I want your communities to have the tools to keep your sisters, your daughters, and your mothers safe and protected.

Over the recent years I have had the opportunity to visit with dozens and dozens of tribal leaders, tribal members, and visit communities outside of Minnesota. Even though my roots will always be with my Ojibwe and Sioux friends in Minnesota, I am learning so much and developing a deep affection for new friends all across Indian Country.

So, please know my door is always open. My staff and I want to work with you. We may not be able to solve every problem, but we want to learn, we will listen, and we will work with you as partners. Congress has much more to learn about the issues, priorities, and goals of the Tribal Nations. This will especially be true starting next year when we will all feel a tremendous loss with the retirement of our dear friend Rep. Dale Kildee of Michigan.

Rep. Kildee is the founder and co-chair of the House Native American Caucus and a tireless champion and defender of tribal sovereignty. Dale's much deserved retirement from public service will leave a hole that no one member can fill. That means all of us need to do more to make the needs, priorities, hopes, dreams, and opportunities of Indians who live on reservations, but also Indian families that live in cities, in suburbs, and in small towns.

Native Americans as citizens, constituents and voters, must be part of the congressional conversation about rebuilding America, reinvesting in America, and strengthening America for the future. If Indian Country is strong, prospering, and successful, then America is stronger and more successful. We have work to do and I want to work with all of you and NCAI to make your Tribal Nations and our Nation healthier, safer, successful and prosperous.

Thank you.