The many federal services made for American Indians and Alaska natives are necessary for the tribes to become federally recognized. Unfortunately, the current process is very inefficient and it may take up to 30 years for a tribe to be recognized. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has supported the idea of a more efficient and easier process and has established the Federal Recognition Task Force. The Federal Recognition Task Force is for the tribes best interest and it recommends changes in policy, procedures, and plans, for tribes both federally recognized and not.

Tribes that aren’t recognized have to go through the stressful and strenuous process of submitting applications for federal acknowledgement that meet Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Criteria. The criteria is harsh and extensive, ensuring that the tribes can govern themselves. This process was established before 1900. Many tribes may find it costly and hard to find the historical data necessary to submit for recognition. Instead of doing this, they could also be recognized through the less strenuous process of Congressional registration.

The difference between being federally recognized and being congressionally recognized is federally is everywhere and congressionally is in the state.

The benefits of being federally recognized are it gives the tribes legal status and requires the federal government to provide certain benefits. They have a government to government relationship with the US.

Even though the NCAI’s policies limit the membership of tribes to federal and state recognized tribes, they still support the tribes by making the process of being recognized more simple and stress-free.