(FEMA) Administrator speaks to National Congress of American Indians

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate this week addressed the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) at their Executive Council Winter Session, discussing ways FEMA coordinates with its tribal partners on preparedness and disaster response.

"Emergency management is a team effort, and tribal governments are an important part of the team," said Administrator Fugate. "Today's event was about strengthening partnerships, and it provided me an opportunity to hear from members of the National Congress of American Indians about some of the unique challenges they face in preparing for and responding to emergencies. I look forward to continuing these discussions and working with the 564 tribal nations across the country to help keep all communities safe."

On Monday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano unveiled the Department's tribal consultation and coordination plan, designed to improve partnerships and streamline information sharing between DHS and federally recognized tribes.

Administrator Fugate previously addressed the NCAI at their annual convention in October. FEMA has worked closely with a number of tribal nations recently following severe winter storms affecting the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, flooding in New York in August, and the Alaska floods along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers last spring.

NCAI is the largest and oldest tribal organization in the country, established in 1944. NCAI includes 250 member tribes from throughout the United States and works to monitor and inform federal policies and decisions that affect tribal government interests.

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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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