Tribes direct funding from CARES Act

Millions sent to local tribes to deal with virus

Native American tribes in Humboldt County have received millions of dollars in CARES Act funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, funding they say will go toward economic recovery.

Tribal business owners will be the beneficiaries of $2 million, which will help ease some of the economic blows the businesses have suffered as a result of stayat-home policies during the pandemic.

In Hoopa, the funding will be put toward boosting internet services so remote practices, like telemedicine, can continue as residents of the reservation are told to stay home. Hoopa tribal leadership is also creating a new welfare

assistance program, which will provide $1,000 to every adult and $500 to every child.

“We are currently developing our reopening plans,” said Matthew Douglas, a Hoopa Tribe spokesperson. “Our safety officers and public health department will review that safety plan and determine if it’s up to standards for reopening.”

Douglas said Hoopa businesses have been somewhat insulated from economic losses during the pandemic. There hasn’t been a significant rise in unemployment or wage hits, he said.

At the Yurok Tribe, businesses have suffered, the tribe said Wednesday.

“The CARES Act funds the Tribe is distributing to Yurok businesses will allow me to keep the Inn,” said Janet Wortman, owner of the historic Requa Inn and a tribal member, in a prepared statement. “It is hard to imagine losing a business you have put 10 years of your life into, invested your savings and retirement into. It is frightening.”

Hoopa leadership has not hammered down the precise amount of funding the tribe will receive from the CARES Act, but Douglas said Thursday an improvement in internet infrastructure is a long time coming.

“We need better internet service,” Douglas said. “This would really help with social distancing and telemedicine.”