In this episode of The Sentinel, we commemorate the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act, passed into law on June 2, 1924. Also known as The Snyder Act, this pivotal piece of legislation granted citizenship to all American Indian people born within the limits of the United States.

Join us as we look back at the origins of this law, and its connections to NCAI despite predating the organization’s inception by two decades. We examine the intent and limitations of the legislation and the advocacy that NCAI has undertaken to ensure that all benefits of citizenship are conferred equally upon American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. As we approach the 2024 Presidential Election, the enfranchisement of Indian Country is a particularly pertinent issue.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we uncover the origins of the Farm Bill. Although not a common household name, this massive omnibus bill touches many aspects of our personal lives. It governs agriculture, regulates food prices, legislates food policy and production, establishes funding for food distribution programs, and much more.

The first Farm Bill was passed into law more than 80 years ago, during the Great Depression. Despite the fact that agriculture is a large part of tribal economies, Tribal Nations have only recently been actively engaged in the drafting of this legislation. This episode examines NCAI’s history of advocacy to ensure Native voices are not just heard but deeply integrated into new iterations of the bill. Finally, looking forward to the 2024 reauthorization, we highlight the need for legislators to continue consulting with Tribal Nations. Integrating tribal perspectives into the legislative process is vital in shaping future agricultural policy with inclusivity and resonance.

In this episode of The Sentinel, we examine a critical piece of legislation aimed at remedying past injustices by addressing the treatment and repatriation of cultural items, objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, and human remains. Since its enactment in 1990, the Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has presented considerable hurdles for Tribal Nations, museums, and cultural entities alike.

Throughout this episode, we will look back at the National Congress of American Indians' historical advocacy efforts leading up to the enactment of this legislation. Then, we will discuss the inherent complexities of NAGPRA and analyze the recent regulatory changes announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, examining their implications for museum practices, collections, and exhibitions nationwide.