IN THE CIRCLE OF ANOTHER YEAR, we have seen that indigenous peoples, especially Indian peoples of Central and South America, are winning real respect from countries that understand the role that indigenous peoples play in the modern world. I am proud that our organization has been able to contribute so much to this progress. Our long quest for human rights and basic respect has changed the political attitudes of countries around the world where racism and ignorance were predominant a few years ago. Yet in this country, the federal government continues its pattern of lawless behavior toward Indian and Alaska Native nations and continues to ignore its human rights obligations toward indigenous peoples. It is a horrible stain on the honor of this country that it continues to deny Native nations many of the basic constitutional and human rights that others have in this country.

We face this sorrow with a determination to increase our work and sharpen our strategy for bringing about real change that will enable Indian and Alaska Native nations to solve their problems and make a good life for their peoples. First of all, there must be a fair and reasonable legal framework created to replace the truly racist and archaic laws that now exist—legal doctrines that permit the federal government to act lawlessly and that make it impossible for Indian nations to take charge of their own futures.

Casinos are not solving the problems of most Indian and Alaska Native communities. The dreadful problems of poverty, poor health, inadequate health care, poor education, unemployment, and endemic social ills still characterize most Native communities. And yet the cultural vitality and the will to overcome these problems seem to never die, and this gives us hope. But we don’t have a fair chance unless the lawlessness and racism of United States federal law is changed. We remain dedicated to helping Indian and other Native American nations to overcome these legal barriers and gain real control of their lands, environments and economies.

Last fall, we lost our great friend and mentor, Vine Deloria, Jr. Vine was a friend, leader, and colleague for almost my entire legal career, and he gave us all a very high standard for the courage, scholarship, integrity and tenacity that must go into our work for Indian rights. If I work for another thirty years, I am sure that I will never stop trying to carry out the work he envisioned and to strive for the standards he set.

Our good friends and supporters are as wonderful as ever—though I wish we had more such generous friends. Foundations such as Lannan Foundation, Ford Foundation, Libra Foundation, Oak Foundation and many others are loyal friends and generous donors to our work. Indian nations contribute heavily, nations such as the Onondaga Nation, the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians, and my own Citizen Potawatomi Nation. We have many wonderful and loyal individual contributors as well, especially in New York, Helena, Washington, D.C., and around the world. Many people help us as well by giving their time and professional abilities to our work, and by giving us the invaluable wisdom and advice that money cannot buy. We never find enough ways to thank all of these people who are contributing to the battle for the human rights of Indians and other indigenous peoples.

Megwetch,
Robert “Tim” Coulter