Native American Communities Bracing for Impact of Government Shutdown
As the government shutdown continues, Native American communities are growing increasingly concerned about the potential damage to their healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other services funded by Washington under treaties struck over a century ago. The situation is dire, with many tribal leaders fearing that the Trump administration will use the shutdown to lay off federal workers responsible for ensuring that trust and treaty responsibilities are honored.
According to Graham Lee Brewer, a reporter for the Associated Press, tribal nations with independent revenue sources, such as casinos and oil and gas leases, may be able to sustain operations for several months. However, tribes that are more dependent on government funding are already feeling the pinch, with some furloughing workers and closing essential services. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, for example, has furloughed at least 25 employees and closed its museum, cultural center, and services for Native children in the public school system.
Impact on Healthcare and Education
The Indian Health Service, which provides healthcare to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, will remain funded and operational, according to the Health and Human Services contingency plan. However, hundreds of healthcare centers and clinics across the country that are owned and managed by tribal nations but federally funded are at risk of closure. The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers is calling on the federal government to halt projects that require consultation with tribal nations, such as oil and gas development, until agencies are fully staffed and tribes have someone to consult with.
Liz Carr, vice president for intergovernmental relations for the Cedar Rock Alliance, expressed concerns about the potential layoffs of federal workers who uphold treaty rights. “I’m extremely nervous about that,” she said. “I can see some of those programs being considered either DEI or some kind of waste. Then they come back to dismantle those programs and people aren’t able to come back and deliver those services. And the tribes have nowhere to turn.” Carr, who was appointed as the first tribal adviser to the Office of Management and Budget during the Biden administration, was instructed to resign by the new administration, and the position remains unfilled.
Damaged Trust and Uncertain Future
The government shutdown has damaged the trust between Native American communities and the federal government, with many feeling that their treaty rights are being ignored. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has closed 15 regional offices across 38 states, leaving tribes without access to essential services such as road projects and law enforcement funding. The Federal Highway Administration, which operates the Tribal Transportation Program, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which operates the Indian Housing Block Grant, have also closed.
As the shutdown continues, Native American communities are bracing for the worst. The situation is complex, with many factors at play, but one thing is certain: the government shutdown will have a devastating impact on Native American communities. For more information, visit Here
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