Joint Statement on NCAI Resolution

December 13, 2024 — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, formally adopted Resolution LV-24-005, titled Enhancing Tribal Engagement and Co-Stewardship in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Practices at their 2024 Annual Convention and Tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada. This significant resolution underscores the collective voices of Tribal Nations advocating for the effective implementation of BLM’s Final Public Lands Rule, ensuring that conservation practices align with the priorities and cultural values of Tribes across the country.

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Final Public Lands Rule, announced in April 2024, clarifies land stewardship by placing conservation on an equal footing with other uses such as resource development and recreation. This landmark rule integrates Indigenous Knowledge and emphasizes co-stewardship opportunities, paving the way for more inclusive management practices that recognize the unique expertise and historical connection of Tribal Nations to their ancestral lands.

Key Provisions of NCAI’s Resolution:

• Active Tribal Co-Management: The resolution calls for enhanced tribal participation, urging the BLM to implement the rule with strengthened co-management commitments. Tribal Nations should be regarded as active partners, ensuring that public lands management benefits future generations of Native people and safeguards vital cultural and ecological sites.
• Incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge: NCAI stresses the need for BLM to develop clear guidelines for integrating Indigenous Knowledge into land management, maintaining respect for cultural heritage and proprietary information under the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
• Areas of Critical Environmental Concern: The resolution emphasizes direct Tribal involvement in managing Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) to support culturally informed management strategies that prioritize the protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources.

Collective Support from Tribal Nations The adoption of this resolution has drawn widespread support from tribal coalitions and individual Tribal Nations who share a commitment to preserving their cultural connections to the land and promoting environmental resilience. In a joint statement, influential groups, including the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, highlighted the Final Public Lands Rule as a critical tool for addressing the impacts of climate change and promoting ecosystem health​.

A Step Toward Equitable Land Management The resolution reflects NCAI’s longstanding dedication to advocating for policies that align with tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, and sustainable resource management. It follows recent appeals from tribal commissions emphasizing the necessity of co-stewardship provisions that empower tribes and prioritize their role in public land governance​.

Quotes from Tribal Leaders:

NCAI President Mark Macarro stated, “The adoption of NCAI’s Resolution represents a pivotal step in strengthening the role of Tribal Nations in public land management. With the Bureau of Land Management’s Final Public Lands Rule, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that conservation efforts reflect the wisdom and knowledge inherent in our communities. This resolution reaffirms our call for active tribal co-management and the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge to safeguard our cultural heritage and ecological resources. Our collective voices will shape a future where public land stewardship is inclusive, respectful, and sustainable.”

Chief Eugene Paul, Chairman of the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission, remarked, “We applaud the BLM’s Public Lands Rule that places conservation on equal footing with other land uses. For years, our Tribes have sought land protections that recognize the intrinsic connection between traditional and contemporary ways of life and our homelands. This rule and its co-stewardship provisions and acknowledgment of Indigenous Knowledge signals a long overdue shift toward honoring the ways of knowing and the longstanding stewardship of this land by Indigenous peoples. If the Rule’s provisions had been in place before, many critical areas would have the protections Tribes asked for. This is progress.”

Acoma Pueblo Governor Randall Vicente stated, “As Pueblo leaders, we stand in firm support of Resolution LV-24-005, a declaration that aligns with our enduring commitment to steward our ancestral lands with care and reverence. The BLM’s rule marks an important recognition of Indigenous Knowledge and the necessity of integrating tribal perspectives into land management practices. This resolution underscores the essential role of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and prioritizes culturally sensitive co-management of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. We call upon the BLM to fully embrace these commitments and foster true partnerships with Tribal Nations.”