North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission

The meeting included updates from Governor Armstrong, focusing on the 2025 Legislative Session and key legislative wins such as the creation of the MMIP Task Force and Feather Alert system. Director Brad Hawk provided an agency update, highlighting G2G Conference planning, agency transition, intergovernmental collaboration, and economic development with tribal priorities. The updated ND Tribal Studies textbooks were presented, with distribution planned for the end of 2025. Legislative updates covered key bills passed and notable failed bills. Tribal leaders shared updates on emergency responses, intergovernmental progress, and ongoing crises. Commissioner updates addressed administrator and teacher shortages, proposed federal budget cuts to tribal colleges, and the importance of continued investment in higher education.

The meeting included updates from Governor Armstrong, who welcomed attendees, highlighted the G2G conference, announced the creation of the Office of Recovery and Reentry, and emphasized the need for uniform delivery of Native American curriculum across the state. Director Brad Hawk provided an update on NDIAC activities, including legislative session preparation and economic asset review finalization. Discussions covered jurisdiction issues, MOUs, the vision for partnership with the Governor's office, legislative updates, Native American history curriculum standardization, and federal funding. Tribal leaders provided updates on various initiatives, including recovery centers, tourism developments, gaming expansion, water fracking regulations, and healthcare partnerships. The ND Tribal College System's economic impact and collaborative efforts were also shared.

The meeting included opening remarks from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, highlighting collaboration with tribal entities and focusing on healthcare and education. Discussions covered the creation of a northern training facility for BIA at Camp Grafton, the inclusion of Tribal Colleges in the Strategic Plan, and an upcoming Bush Foundation retreat. Updates were provided on the agency's strategic plan, ongoing projects (grant streamlining, workforce development, broadband issues, energy projects, and UND reparations), and the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance's upcoming event. Presentations were given on autonomy in technology systems and the Justice Grant's successful completion. Tribal leader updates included discussions on infrastructure needs, law enforcement challenges, economic development initiatives, and healthcare access. The meeting also addressed the need for improved communication and collaboration between state agencies and tribal communities.

The House convened and addressed several key items. A committee report on journal corrections and revisions was adopted, including a rule change increasing bill and resolution sponsors. The House heard an address on the state of the tribal-state relationship, focusing on economic development, workforce training, and collaboration between the state and tribes. Numerous bills and concurrent resolutions were introduced and referred to committees, covering topics such as water supply, towing, public transportation, investment funds, firefighting, school education, gas transmission lines, public service commission expenses, hazardous materials, county mutual insurance, lottery permits, motor vehicle dealer records, insurance company restructuring, soil classification, criminal conduct reporting, county home rule, county road machinery, partnership assets, computer network vulnerability testing, concealed weapons licenses, game and fish licenses, unclaimed property, workers' compensation, and financial institution director conduct.

The House convened and addressed several motions, including rereferrals of bills to different committees and the excusing of absent members. A joint session with the Senate was held, featuring an address by the Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The address covered topics such as children and education, tribal colleges, economic development, the Bakken oil boom, and government-to-government relationships. Following the address, several bills were introduced and referred to various committees.