Federal funds for tribal relief going out,
The Trump administration on Tuesday began distributing relief money to Indian tribes, after weeks of delays and a lawsuit by the Cherokee Nation and other tribes.
“We are pleased to begin making $4.8 billion in critical funds available to tribal governments in all states ,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
“Our approach is based on the fair balancing of tribal needs.” Mnuchin and Interior Secretary David L. Bernhardt said the
money would be distributed based on the same tribal population data used for housing grants and on tribal employment data.
The secretaries said payments were due to begin on Tuesday.
Congress included $8 billion for tribal governments in the $2 trillion pandemic relief package that sent money to state and municipal governments. The bill was called the Corona virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Though funding was pushed out quickly f or many programs, tribes have been waiting weeks for movement by the administration.
“The Bureau of Indian Affairs has been slow on this — I don't think that's a shock to anyone,” said Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, referring to the agency's reputation for bureaucratic inertia.
“That' s been fr ustr a ting. But the dollars getting out the door will be significant.”
The Cherokee Nation joined a lawsuit with tribes from other states seeking the immediate distribution of the federal aid. The Tahlequah-based tribe was also part of a lawsuit aimed at blocking Alaskan Native corporations from getting any of the money.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Tuesday, “The Cherokee Nation is encouraged that at long last, the United States Treasury Department has a plan to distribute at least a portion of the CARES Act funds to tribal governments in Indian Country.
“Tribal governments have been on the front lines of the COVID- 1 9 public health response, suffered crippling economic effects and deserve to join states and other governments in COVID19 recovery funds.”
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, said tribal governments have had to continue providing essential services despite revenue losses caused by the pandemic.
“As our nation's tribes continue their fierce fight against corona virus, receipt of this money is critical reinforcement and will greatly help tribal communities,” Cole said.
“I am particularly pleased to learn that Oklahoma's tribal nations will receive a generous portion of the money now making its way to Indian Country. Oklahoma is home to 39 sovereign tribes, and each one plays an invaluable role in the lives and health of their members and surrounding communities.”