National Organization Says Upholding Sovereignty is "a Legal Obligation"
New York, NY — Donald Trump today will be sworn in as the 47th President, his second term in office. The following statement from Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native Organizers Alliance and NOA Action Fund, can be quoted in part or in full.
“We faced challenges during Trump’s first term in office in our efforts to hold the federal government accountable for upholding treaty and Tribal obligations, and protecting sacred places. Our message to the Trump administration is clear: upholding Tribal sovereignty isn’t a choice for the incoming administration—it’s a legal obligation. Through treaties and federal trust responsibilities, Tribes have the inherent right to make and inform any decisions that impact their lands and people.
During his previous term as President, Donald Trump led efforts that dismantled and weakened essential protections to Tribal sovereignty and sacred places. We expect to face these challenges again during his second term—and we are more prepared than ever.
Over the past four years, we have made incredible progress through the determination and commitment of Native peoples and sovereign nations. We saw for the first time, representation at the Department of Interior with the historic appointment of Secretary Deb Haaland. We saw the expansion of Bears Ears National Monument, numerous Tribal-federal co-management agreements of federal lands, and the groundbreaking apology from the Biden administration for the harms of Indian boarding schools. Our advocacy in Indian Country has made all the difference and we aren’t backing down.
Native Organizers Alliance, along with our partners and allies, will continue to mobilize and build capacity across Indian Country to ensure Tribal sovereignty is upheld, and our lands, waters, resources, and ways of life as Native peoples are protected.”
