National Organizations
There are several national organizations and resources that can be incredibly helpful for newly elected tribal leaders. These organizations often provide support, advocacy, resources, and networking opportunities tailored to the needs of indigenous communities and tribal governments. Here are some key ones:
AISES:
AISES is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North American and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA):
Part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, BIA provides various services to federally recognized tribes, including funding, technical assistance, and guidance on matters related to tribal governance, land management, and economic development.
Center for Indian Country Development:
The Center for Indian Country Development supports the prosperity of Native nations and Indigenous communities through actionable data and research that make substantial contributions to public policy.
https://minneapolisfed.org/indiancountry
Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR):
CNAFR provides resources and advocacy for Native American farmers and ranchers, supporting economic development and agricultural initiatives in tribal communities.
https://usda.gov/tribalrelations/council-for-native-american-farming-and-ranching
Indian Gaming Association (IGA):
The mission of Indian Gaming Association is to protect and preserve the general welfare of tribes. IGA works with the Federal, State, and Tribal governments to develop sound policies and practices and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues. IGA works to maintain and protect tribal sovereignty.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF):
ILTF focuses on land issues affecting Native American communities, including land acquisition, stewardship, and management. They provide resources and technical assistance to support tribal efforts in land tenure and sovereignty.
InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC):
The InterTribal Buffalo Council is a collection of 80 tribes in 20 different states that facilitates the management of over 20,000 buffalo. Their members manage more than 32 million acres of tribal lands, and have restored buffalo to nearly 1 million of the acres. ITBC is committed to reestablishing buffalo hers on tribal lands in a manner that promotes cultural enhancement, spiritual revitalization, ecological restoration, and economic development.
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED):
NCAIED is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 50 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and tribal people with business and economic development . They have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation.
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI):
NCAI is the oldest and largest national organization serving the interests of Native American and Alaska Native tribal governments. It provides advocacy on federal policy issues, conducts research, and offers networking opportunities for tribal leaders.
National Indian Child Welfare Association:
NICWA works to support the safety, health, and spiritual strength of American Indian and Alaska Native children along the broad continuum of their lives. We support tribes in building the capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect through positive systems change at the state, federal, and tribal levels.
National Indian Health Board (NIHB):
NIHB advocates for and provides resources related to Native American health issues. They offer support in healthcare policy, advocacy, training, and technical assistance for tribal health programs.
National Indian Education Association (NIEA):
NIEA advocates for educational excellence and opportunities for Native American students. They provide resources, training, and policy advocacy to improve educational outcomes in tribal communities.
National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA):
The National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) is a non-profit organization with a 501-(c)(6) Association and a 501-(c)(3) Foundation. NNAHRA’s mission is to serve, support and guide human resources professionals and tribal leaders working within Indigenous Country. NNAHRA’s focus is providing educational events, services, networking and professional certifications in an effort to preserve tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency and the right to self-govern.
National Tribal Gaming Commissioners & Regulators (NTGCR):
NTGCR is the national organization for tribal gaming commissions and tribal gaming regulatory authorities.
Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA):
NAFOA was founded over four decades ago as the Native American Finance Officers Association to highlight the role of tribal finance in fostering economic opportunities. Since that time, NAFOA has grown along with tribal economies. We are committed to supporting tribal economies through sound economic and fiscal policy, innovative learning opportunities, convening thought leadership, and developing resources for tribes that strengthen governance and exercise sovereignty.
Native American Rights Fund (NARF):
NARF is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to defending and advancing Native American rights. They provide legal representation, advocacy, and educational resources on issues including tribal sovereignty, land rights, and natural resources.
Native Governance Center (NGC):
NGC offers leadership development, training, and resources focused on enhancing governance and sovereignty in Native American communities. They provide networking opportunities and support for tribal leaders.
Tribal Gaming Protection Network (TGPN):
TGPN is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. TGPN was founded to provide regulatory outreach, services, and education for the tribal gaming industry.
Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC):
TLDC focuses on addressing diabetes and related health issues in Native American communities. They provide resources, training, and support for tribal leaders working to improve health outcomes.
https://www.ihs.gov/sdpi/tldc/
State Gaming Associations
Arizonia Indian Gaming Association
The Arizona Indian Gaming Association was established in November 21, 1994, by Arizona tribal leaders. The Association is committed to advancing the lives of Indian peoples – economically, socially and politically – so Indian Tribes in Arizona can achieve their goal of self-reliance.
https://www.azindiangaming.org
California Nations Indian Gaming Association
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), founded in 1988, is a non-profit organization comprised of federally recognized tribal governments.
Great Plains Indian Gaming Association
The GPIGA’s purpose is to protect and promote the Tribal gaming industry by bringing together federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Great Plains Region who are operating gaming enterprises, utilizing a spirit of cooperation to develop common strategies and positions concerning issues affecting all gaming tribes. GPIGA promotes tribal sovereignty and economic development, which provides a positive impact throughout the communities in the Great Plains area. It draws upon the unique status of those within the Great Plains Indian Nations who have Treaties between themselves and the United States in order to influence and shape national legislation as well as issues affecting Tribal Economic Development.
Minnesota Indian Gaming Association
Founded in 1987, MIGA has served as the collective voice of its members on vital issues affecting gaming. Led by elected officials from Minnesota’s Tribal Nations, MIGA educates and advocates to protect tribal gaming.
Minnesota is home to 11 federally recognized tribal nations. Each nation is represented by its own sovereign government. Minnesota tribal nations own and operate casinos that generate government revenue to provide for community needs. These gaming operations not only benefit tribal communities, but also provide significant economic benefits to surrounding communities through well-paying jobs, tourism, and tax revenue.
https://mnindiangamingassoc.com
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically.
Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Regulators Association
The Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Regulators Association is a non‐profit, voluntary association composed of Tribal Gaming Regulatory entities, representing federally recognized tribal governments involved in Oklahoma gaming.
The Oklahoma Gaming Regulators Association was established to enable Indian gaming regulators to network within the State of Oklahoma on all issues pertaining to, the ever changing, Federal, State, and Tribal gaming regulations.
United Tribes Gaming Association
In 2017, the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) created the United Tribes Gaming Association, a non-profit Indian gaming association representing the five tribes that operate casinos in North Dakota.
https://unitedtribesgaming.org
Washington Indian Gaming Association
The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) is a non-profit organization of tribal government leaders of federally recognized Tribes in the state of Washington.
As a trade organization, WIGA’s purpose is to educate and disseminate information to the Indian gaming community, federal and state governments, and the general public on issues related to gaming in Indian Country.
https://www.washingtonindiangaming.org
Commonly Used Acronyms
Learning acronyms commonly used in Indian Country can be helpful for understanding various organizations, programs, and initiatives. Here are some key acronyms used in Native American communities and governance:
AITC – American Indian Tribal Court: Judicial bodies within tribal governments responsible for adjudicating civil and criminal matters under tribal law.
BIA – Bureau of Indian Affairs: Federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior responsible for administering and managing federal relations with Native American tribes and Alaska Natives.
BIE – Bureau of Indian Education.
BLM – Bureau of Land Management.
CCDF – CCDF stands for Child Care and Development Fund, a federal and state partnership program that provides funding and support for child care programs123. The CCDF was authorized under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) and amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996123. The CCDF consists of Discretionary Funds, Mandatory Funds, and Matching Funds2.
CFR – Code of Federal Regulations.
CWA – Clean Water Act: Federal law regulating water quality standards and pollution control to protect and restore water resources, including those on tribal lands.
DOI – Department of Interior conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people.
DOJ – Department of Justice.
DOT – Department of Transportation.
HIP – Home Improvement Program.
HHS – Department of Health and Human Services.
HUD – Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal agency providing funding and support for housing programs, including those serving Native American communities.
ICDBG – The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program is a tribal economic development and assistance program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Native American Programs.
ICWA – Indian Child Welfare Act: Federal law governing the removal and placement of Native American children in foster or adoptive homes to protect their cultural identity and tribal relationships.
IGA – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) is an inter-tribal association of federally recognized Indian Tribes. Its mission is to protect and preserve tribal sovereignty and the ability of Tribes to attain economic self-sufficiency through gaming and other forms of economic development.
IGRA – The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 100–497, 25 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.) is a 1988 United States federal law that establishes the jurisdictional framework that governs Indian gaming.
IHBG – The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program is the primary means by which the Federal Government fulfills its trust responsibilities to provide adequate housing to Native Americans and is the single largest source of Indian housing assistance.
IHS – Indian Health Service: Federal health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives, providing healthcare services to eligible individuals.
ILTF – Indian Land Tenure Foundation: Supports efforts to recover and protect tribal lands, providing resources and technical assistance related to land tenure and sovereignty.
MICS – Minimum Internal Control Standards established by the National Indian Gaming Commission to regulate gaming conducted on Indian lands.
MOA/MOU – Memorandum of Agreement/Understanding
NAFOA – Native American Finance Officers Association: Provides resources, education, and networking opportunities for Native American finance officers and economic development professionals.
NAGPRA – The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is commonly known by the acronym NAGPRA. It establishes ownership of Native American human remains and certain other items found on federal land.
NARF – Native American Rights Fund: Nonprofit law firm providing legal representation and advocacy for Native American rights, sovereignty, and natural resources protection.
NCAI – National Congress of American Indians: Oldest and largest national organization serving the interests of Native American and Alaska Native tribal governments.
NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act: Federal law requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed projects and consider alternatives before making decisions.
NIEA – National Indian Education Association: Advocates for Native American educational opportunities and excellence, providing resources and support to Native American students and educators.
NIGC – National Indian Gaming Commission: Federal agency overseeing regulation of gaming activity on Indian lands to ensure compliance with federal law and tribal-state compacts.
NIHB – National Indian Health Board: Advocacy organization focused on promoting and improving Native American health care policies and programs.
NOFO – Notice of Funding Opportunity.
OJS -Office of Justice Services.
OMB – Office of Management and Budget.
OSG – Office of Self Governance (department of Interior).
OST – Office of Special Trustee.
OTSG – Office of Tribal Self Governance (Indian Health Service).
OVW – Office on Violence Against Women: OVW provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administrates justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
SEFA – Governments that are subject to the Single Audit Act are required to prepare and have audited a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Federal assistance program providing financial support and services to low-income families, including eligible Native American households.
TGRA – Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authority: The entity authorized by Tribal law to regulate gaming conducted pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
THPO – Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) are officially designated by a federally-recognized Indian tribe to direct a program approved by the National Park Service and the THPO must have assumed some or all of the functions of State Historic Preservation Officers on Tribal lands.
TICS – Tribal Internal Control Standards that are established by the tribal gaming regulatory authority that must be as stringent as the MICS
TTAC – Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee: This seven member tribal advisory committee advises the Secretary on significant maters related to taxation of Indians, the training go Internal Revenue Service field agents, and the provisions of training and technical assistance to Native American financial officers.