Native Americans and the Government

A major issue between Native Americans and the federal government is federal recognition as a tribe. When a tribe is federally recognized, it receives benefits such as government-to-government relationship and access to much-needed benefits and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. The NCAI is designed to promote education, assist tribal councils, address issues within the Native American community, and educate others about treaties and acts for the Native American community. However, the NCAI did convince congress to pass the Indian Claims Commission, which enables authorities to hear all tribal cases against the government. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has introduced programs like the Employment Assistance Program to help the Native Americans acquire better employment opportunities. The National Indian Gaming Association, which is a non-profit organization, actually utilizes it's proceeds to mitigate poverty in Native Americans. Gaming revenues have helped create jobs, public schools, and tax revenues for local systems. Although there are many benefits to moving away from reservations or native land, I feel that I would want to stay there. I feel that I would want to represent my heritage and also continue to fight for the same benefits to be on native land or reservations that are in the rest of the land.