"After weeks of intense lobbying for tribes to be included in the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), representatives at the National Congress of American Indians realized that tribal leaders needed information about accessing the new funding. With the help of a team of legislative and policy experts, www.indiancountryworks.org was born. The website provides tribal governments vital information about funding streams available in the stimulus act.

Stimulus funding for tribes will first be directed to federal agencies and other organizations that serve them. Monies will then be directed to tribes through existing programming.

Many other organizations serving Indian Country including the Indian Housing Council, National Indian Health Board, National Indian Education Association, the National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development and others, are collaborating on the website.

“Organizations are excited about having a central place to send information for use by tribal governments," says Dante Desiderio of the Sapony tribe. Desiderio, an economic development policy specialist with NCAI, has been working intently on the website since early February."

Get the Story:
Mary Annete Pember: Tribes Build Portal to Tap Stimulus Funds (The Daily Yonder 3/27)

Related Stories:
Mary Pember: A family's journey through ICWA (3/23)
Pember: A roller coaster ride for Indian Country (3/13)
Pember: Tribes and Secretary Salazar share priorities (2/17)