Today, Administrator Jackson spoke  to the National Congress of American Indians during its 2010 Executive Council Winter Session. During her speech, Jackson highlighted EPA’s efforts to strengthen its relationships with American Indian communities in 2009, as well as current priorities for 2010, including requesting increased support for states and tribes in its annual budget. Last week, EPA announced two major Climate Showcase Community grants in tribal communities. In her speech, Jackson detailed the objectives of these initiatives, which will promote energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions on the Northern Cheyenne Tribe Reservation in Montana, provide technical expertise on several greenhouse gas reduction projects, and help implement curbside recycling, compact fluorescent lighting and Green Building programs. EPA is proposing a total of $1.3 billion in categorical grants to support its efforts in American Indian communities.