National Caucus of Native American State Legislators

June 2008

The National Caucus of Native American State Legislators (formerly the National Council of Native American Legislators) was formed in 1992 and has met at NCSL meetings whenever possible. The goals of the Caucus include:

Providing a forum for discussion and increased communication among Native American legislators;
Increasing awareness of the diverse Native American cultures in the United States;
Supporting the establishment and maintenance of state-tribal communications to encourage open dialogue, understanding and cooperation; and
Acting as an advisory body for NCSL on issues affecting Native Americans.

Caucus Committees

1. Executive Committee of the Caucus

Chair: Rep. John McCoy, Washington
Vice-Chair: Rep. Joey Jayne, Montana
Secretary: Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Montana
Treasurer: Rep. Lisa Johnson Billy, Oklahoma
Peace Keeper: Rep. Reggie Joule, Alaska

2. Community Wellness and Criminal Justice

Chair: Rep. Joey Jayne, Montana
Vice-Chair: Sen. Claudia Kauffman, Washington
Rep. Shannon Augare, Montana
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Rep. Jim Bradford, South Dakota
Del. Talmadge Branch, Maryland
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. Reggie Joule, Alaska
Rep. Albert Tom, Arizona

3. Economic Development

Chair: Rep. Shannon Augare, Montana
Vice-Chair: Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Del. Talmadge Branch, Maryland
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. Shane Jett, Oklahoma
Rep. Lisa Johnson-Billy, Oklahoma
Rep. Ken Luttrell, Oklahoma
Rep. John McCoy, Washington
Rep. Albert Tom, Arizona

4. Education

Chair: Sen. Carol Juneau, Montana
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Dennis Bercier, former Senator, North Dakota
Rep. Norma Bixby, Montana
Rep. Jim Bradford, South Dakota
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Rep. Patrick Goggles, Wyoming
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Sen. Lynda Lovejoy, New Mexico
Rep. Ray McCarter, Oklahoma
Rep. John McCoy, Washington
Rep. Mary Nelson, Alaska
Rep. Anastasia Pittman, Oklahoma
Rep. Veronica Small Eastman, Montana
Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, Oklahoma
Sen. Suzanne Williams, Colorado

5. Environment, Water, Natural Resources and Energy

Chair: Rep. Albert Tom, Arizona
Vice-Chair, Rep. Scott BigHorse
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Dennis Bercier, former Senator, North Dakota
Rep. Norma Bixby, Montana
Del. Talmadge Branch, Maryland
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. Reggie Joule, Alaska
Sen. Lynda Lovejoy, New Mexico
Rep. Ken Luttrell, Oklahoma
Rep. John McCoy, Washington
Rep. Veronica Small Eastman, Montana

6. Health and Human Services

Chair: Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, Montana
Vice-Chair: Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Dennis Bercier, former Senator, North Dakota
Del. Talmadge Branch, Maryland
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Mark Cloer, former State Representative, Colorado
Rep. Doug Cox, Oklahoma
Rep. James Roger Madalena, New Mexico
Rep. Ray McCarter, Oklahoma
Rep. John McCoy, Washington
Rep. Mary Nelson, Alaska
Rep. Anastasia Pittman, Oklahoma

7. Transportation

Chair: Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Vice Chair: Rep. Scott BigHorse, Oklahoma
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Dennis Bercier, former Senator, North Dakota
Del. Talmadge Branch, Maryland
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. Albert Tom, Arizona

8. Tribal Relations and Trust Responsibility

Chair: Rep. Shane Jett, Oklahoma
Rep. Karen Awana, Hawaii
Dennis Bercier, former Senator, North Dakota
Rep. Mele Carroll, Hawaii
Rep. Faye Hanohano, Hawaii
Rep. James Roger Madalena, New Mexico
Rep. Thomas Van Norman, South Dakota

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