Dear USET/USET SPF Family-
Today, we experienced a total solar eclipse which only occurs when the sun, moon, and earth are in complete alignment. Significantly, when it occurs, it is only visible from small areas worldwide, so we were fortunate that the visibility of today’s wonder was not only right here in the United States, but the areas of greatest full eclipse visibility outlined, or fell within and throughout the USET region. While there was momentary darkness, of greater spiritual significance, the solar eclipse symbolizes new beginnings and offers bright opportunities for renewal…a natural phenomenon from our Creator from which we can draw from its energy and power.
In that spirit, we share the following:
Because There Is Strength In Unity: A Call for Action and Solidarity Amid National Division | A Message from USET/USET SPF President Kirk Francis
During his recent opening remarks at United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) Impact Week, President Kirk Francis said, "We are planting the seeds of a more appropriate diplomatic model that would require the United States to engage us with the dignity and respect that we deserve…We call for a new era of federal Indian law and policy grounded in diplomacy.” CLICK HERE to see the entire video
The following are additional related documents for your awareness and consideration for use as education and advocacy tools:
- EO14112 | A Letter of Support & Recommendations to the White House Council on Native American Affairs CLICK HERE
USET SPF is encouraged by the issuance of this EO and underscores its importance. While this EO is ambitious, it is also meaningful as it seeks to address many centuries of broken promises through long-sought reforms to the ways in which funding is delivered to Tribal Nations and quantify federal failures to provide full funding in fulfillment of trust and treaty obligations. We applaud the intent and spirit of this EO. However, we also have a number of concerns and suggestions for the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) as it coordinates implementation across the federal family.
- USET SPF Marshall Plan for Tribal Nations | A Restorative Justice and Domestic Investment Plan CLICK HERE
On April 5th, USET/USET SPF General Counsel, Katie Klass, who serves as Co-Chair for the 2024 Fed Bar Indian Law Conference, moderated a panel titled Implementation of Trust Obligations through Federal Funding. Panelists included Morgan Rodman/White House Council on Native American Affairs, Geoffrey Strommer/Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker, and Kitcki Carroll/USET/USET SPF Executive Director. The Marshall Plan and EO14112 are two significant visionary change vehicles and it is important to embrace both as part of our strategy. While both of these vehicles have a financial component, it is important to remember that both serve as tools to reframe our overall thinking, framing, and approach to this unique relationship as part of our advocacy to address the many disparate situations across Indian Country and to achieve the righteous justice we deserve!
- Protecting and Respecting Our Unique Status as Inherently Sovereign Governments
Tribal Nations have a unique status and sovereign relationship with the United States. Therefore, the United States should make concerted efforts to avoid applying laws of general applicability and other general requirements created for the public to Tribal Nation governments. Tribal Nations are inherently sovereign governmental entities that have the recognized right and authority to exercise our inherent sovereign governmental powers to create our own laws and requirements for our people, land, and enterprises.
- USET SPF 2024 Impact Week | Resolution 2024 SPF:006 Adopting an Organizational Approach to Federal Recognition CLICK HERE
Federal Recognition, and related issues, draws a variety of views and opinions from across Indian Country. This resolution, passed during the recent USET/USET SPF Board of Directors Impact Week Meeting, recognizes the real challenges and concerns present within this space, but also serves to reflect who the organization is today and to protect its overall integrity.
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