Issues Native Americans Face Saanvi Kunisetty

 Issues Native Americans Face

Saanvi Kunisetty

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was founded in the 20th century when the US government began forcing policies upon the tribal government and violating their rights. Since then, the NCAI has been fighting to preserve Native American traditions and rights while providing tribal people with a proper lifestyle (Mission). Currently, the NCAI is working on receiving investments for tribal economies in order to remove economical barriers (Economic). In addition, they have been collaborating with other organizations to review government legislation relating to human services in order to ensure inclusion of Native Americans (Education). Also, the NCAI has been educating non-Native Americans on the importance of Native American culture and awareness of the Native American community (Community).

Native Americans are often seen as lingering remains of the past, but what many people don’t know is that the Native American population has actually been increasing over the years. In fact, between 1960 and 2019, the Native American population grew from 500,000 to almost 7 million. Regardless of their ever-growing population, Native Americans have some of the highest poverty and unemployment rates. About 1 in every 4 Native Americans suffer from poverty (Ramirez). This is mostly due to the lack of economic opportunities presented to them. The NCAI is working tirelessly to change this. They have been holding webinars introducing concepts of entrepreneurship and business to Native Americans (Event). Additionally, since it has been due for reauthorization in 2003, the NCAI has been trying to get the Workforce Investment Act reauthorized, which will provide the Native American community with targeted programs and employment opportunities, ultimately working to break down the economic barriers that Native Americans face (Employment).

        Resources:

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Community & Culture | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2019, www.ncai.org/policy-issues/community-and-culture. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Economic Development & Commerce | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2013, www.ncai.org/policy-issues/economic-development-commerce. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Education Health & Human Services | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2020, www.ncai.org/policy-issues/education-health-human-services. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Employment & Job Training | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2011, www.ncai.org/policy-issues/economic-development-commerce/employment-job-training. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Event Archives | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2021, www.ncai.org/conferences-events/ncai-event-archives. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.

www.browsermedia.com, BrowserMedia. “Mission & History | NCAI.” Ncai.org, 2021,                            www.ncai.org/about-ncai/mission-history. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.