In this episode of the Sentinel, we explore NCAI’s commitment to international advocacy work. NCAI has recognized that its mission of promoting tribal sovereignty must extend beyond the borders of the United States and include the representation, participation and voices of Indigenous Peoples on a global stage.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion led by Rochelle Morgan-Verdin, NCAI’s Policy Lead for International Affairs and citizen of the United Houma Nation, the Co-Chairs of the recently formed NCAI International Committee, and key experts who have advocated for these issues for decades. Our listeners will hear from guests who are all steadfast advocates representing NCAI at international fora, carrying forth the organization’s mission globally.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we focus on the next generation of Native leaders. We are joined by three newly elected officers of the NCAI Youth Commission. The Commission was established in 1997 to provide a space for young tribal leaders to pinpoint issues of importance and strategize paths of action,then advocate for those issues on behalf of Native youth.

In this lively discussion facilitated by Alison Black, NCAI’s Youth Leadership and Training Coordinator, we hear firsthand from the officers about their respective backgrounds, what being on the Commission means to them, and what they hope to achieve during their terms of office. Our listeners will be inspired by their passion, their knowledge, their hope for the future, and their commitment to advancing the principles of tribal sovereignty both within NCAI and within their own communities.

In this episode of the Sentinel, we mark the one-year anniversary of the NCAI Foundation, established in November 2023. The Foundation was created to unlock philanthropic dollars and build sustaining relationships supporting tribal sovereignty and Native self-determination. The NCAI Foundation is the only one of its kind that upholds these core principles while holding itself directly accountable to Tribal Nations. Funds raised go to support Native-led programs addressing challenges in a wide variety of issues such as food security, health, and education.

Greg Masten, President of the NCAI Foundation, and Dawn Knickerbocker, Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies, join us to report on the success of their efforts and the growth of the Foundation’s reach during their inaugural year. We also learn about the current landscape of Native philanthropy and the specific challenges that tribal communities and Native organizations face when accessing philanthropic dollars.