Trump’s First 100 Days – Native Americans Celebrate Renewed Respect to Sovereignty and De-Colonization
Native Americans for Sovereignty and Preservation (NASP) proudly celebrates the historic achievements during the first 100 days of President Donald J. Trump’s second administration. Across Indian Country, Native Americans are being heard, respected, and empowered like never before.
This is true decolonization—through land return, economic empowerment, justice reform, healthcare improvements, education sovereignty, and strong border protection.
Historic Land Transfers: Returning Ancestral Lands and Empowering Tribes
On March 17, 2025, 680 acres were returned to the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum is leading a national effort to restore tribal homelands and strengthen sovereignty. Department of the Interior Announces Completed Land Transfer from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Spirit Lake Nation | U.S. Department of the Interior
“Every acre returned is a step forward for future generations,” Burgum emphasized.
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________Genuine Tribal Consultation: A New Standard
Tribal leaders confirm that today’s consultations are substantive, lengthy, and action-focused.
Navajo Nation Delegate Brenda Jesus praised Secretary Burgum for meaningful engagement that allowed tribes to set the agenda and raise urgent concerns like energy development and water access. Burgum has done more ‘meaningful tribal consultation’ than Haaland did, Navajo delegate says
Under EO 14210, Indian Affairs will hold tribal consultation sessions from May 20 to June 6, 2025, to gather input on workforce efficiency reforms while honoring trust obligations. Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO 14210 | Indian Affairs
Advancing Energy Sovereignty and Economic Growth
On February 3, 2025, President Trump signed new energy orders, unleashing Native energy enterprises like Navajo Transitional Energy Company, now a leading coal producer.
“Coal continues to power our homes, our economy, and our sovereignty,” Navajo President Buu Nygren said. Statement from Navajo President Buu Nygren on Trump’s Executive Order Supporting Coal Development
Operation Spirit Return: Delivering Justice for Native Families
Launched in February 2025, Operation Spirit Return strengthens investigations into missing and murdered Indigenous persons.
Recently, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) helped secure an indictment against an active-duty airman, Quinterius Chappelle, accused of murdering Sahela “Shy” Sangrait, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Bureau of Indian Affairs special unit investigates South Dakota military base murder | Fox News
“President Trump is the president of law and order, and he is always working to deliver justice for victims of violent crime,” the White House noted.
The MMU’s proactive role is a continuation of efforts first launched during President Trump’s 2019 Operation Lady Justice and strengthened under the Not Invisible Act of 2020.
Healthcare Revitalization: Healing Our Communities
Under Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Indian Country is experiencing record investments in healthcare, Indian Health Service Awards Tribal Management Grants to Support Tribal Self-Determination | 2025 Press Releases including:
- $600,000 in Tribal Management grants
- $9.5 million for Community Opioid Intervention
- $25 million to modernize health facilities
During his visits to the Navajo Nation and Hózhó Academy, Secretary Kennedy pledged federal support for the new Gallup Indian Medical Center and emphasized nutrition-based health solutions. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Visits Hózhó Academy
Decolonizing Our Diets: Removing Harmful Food Dyes
Secretary Kennedy has also initiated efforts to remove harmful food dyes from federally supported programs — including ingredients found in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos — to decolonize Native diets and promote healthier futures for tribal youth. Which Snacks Contain Food Dyes Being ‘Banned’ by the FDA?
“President Trump and I are committed to finding solutions to make our children healthy again,” said Secretary Kennedy Jr. “It was an honor to visit Hózhó Academy and see firsthand their commitment to healthy eating and lifelong fitness.”
CMS Leadership: Dr. Oz Meeting with Tribal Health Advocates
Additionally, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz recently convened a historic meeting with 17 tribal leaders across the nation. Dr. Oz emphasized direct consultation, respect for tribal healthcare priorities, and streamlining CMS programs to better serve American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
“Today, I met with 17 tribal leaders from across the country to hear directly what their healthcare priorities are and how CMS can better work with them.” Dr. Oz shared. DrOzCMS on X
His commitment to meaningful consultation strengthens the broader healthcare improvements being led by HHS under this administration.
Housing Solutions: Burgum and Turner Partner for Tribal Nations
Secretary Doug Burgum and HUD Secretary Scott Turner have launched joint initiatives to open federal lands for affordable housing development, prioritizing Native American families. This new partnership aims to tackle overcrowding and create real pathways to homeownership on tribal lands. ICYMI – Secretary Burgum, HUD Secretary Turner Announce Joint Task Force to Reduce Housing Costs and Open Access to Underutilized Federal Lands Suitable for Residential Development | U.S. Department of the Interior
Honoring Native Veterans: Expanding HUD-VASH
HUD-VASH funding expanded by $2.2 million ensures Native American veterans receive housing assistance and support services, as announced during Secretary Turner’s visit to the Oneida Nation and a visit from the Seminole Tribe. HUD Secretary Scott Turner Announces Newly Available Funds to Expand the Tribal HUD-VASH Program | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Prioritizing Native Education: Building Future Leaders
On April 23, 2025, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon met with NIEA, AIHEC, NCAI, and USET leadership, reinforcing her commitment to trust and treaty responsibilities in Native education policy.
Boosting Native Economies: Sovereign-to-Sovereign Solutions
On April 8, 2025, Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender met with the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT) to promote:
- Deregulating tribal economies
- Strengthening sovereign-to-sovereign partnerships
- Empowering Native entrepreneurship
Strongest Border Security in Four Years
The southern border is now the most secure it has been in the past four years — directly safeguarding Native communities, land, and economies against trafficking and cartel violence.
Safer Communities: Fighting Crime and Cartel Violence
Thanks to operations like Operation Snowy Ridge and Operation Not Forgotten, hundreds of dangerous offenders have been removed from Indian Country, bringing renewed peace and safety. Feds snag 16 suspects in Pine Ridge drug trafficking operation | Operation Not Forgotten — FBI
Restoring Indigenous Fishing Rights
President Trump’s reopening of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument reestablished commercial fishing rights for Native communities, boosting local economies and reinforcing food sovereignty. Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Unleashes American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific – The White House
A New Era of Sovereignty, Strength, and Self-Reliance
In just 100 days, President Trump’s second term has delivered:
✅ Restored tribal lands
✅ Expanded Native energy sovereignty
✅ Invested in tribal healthcare and nutrition
✅ Strengthened housing access for tribal families
✅ Elevated tribal voices in education
✅ Boosted Native veteran support
✅ Secured tribal borders
✅ Made tribal consultation real again
Indian Country is not just surviving — we are thriving, leading, and decolonizing our future!
