Dear Steward of the Planet,
As of April 6, 2020, Johns Hopkins University reported that more than 73,702 people have died worldwide. In the United States, there are now more than 245,500 cases and over 6,000 deaths. Given COVID-19’s sharp increase, Tribal officials and national health experts predict that Indian Country will face significant morbidity rates due to factors that increase complications such as disproportionately high levels of chronic illnesses, poverty, overcrowded homes, and aging populations. Amplifying these disparities, the U.S. government has a long history of purposely ignoring and/or exacerbating crises faced by Indigenous Peoples due to the strained relationship created out of violent colonization and racist notions.
It is critical that Congress prioritize Tribal Nations for COVID-19 funding and resources above other populations in the US that have lower rates of chronic disease, poverty, and unemployment and that have greater access to proper shelter and health facilities, running water, emergency funds and protective equipment. The US government must also fulfill their treaty obligations and provide competent physician-led health care to all Tribal Nations (both federally and non-federally recognized).
We have created a petition through our SHIFT Campaign to share information and to amplify our demands: Click here to read our petition.
We can not let history repeat itself. It is time that the federal government recognize the conditions it has created that Indigenous Peoples have long suffered from and act fast to stop another potential genocidal situation.
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HHS Small Ambulatory Program Awards $55 Million to 15 Tribes and Tribal Organizations (Indian Health Service)
Indian Health Service Announces New Deputy Director for Quality Health Care and Enterprise Risk Management (Indian Health Service)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
White House Office of Management and Budget (Joe Biden Administration)
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Arizona, Navajo Nation)
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation Town Hall (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Tribal organizations statement on advance appropriations for Indian Health Service
Indian Health Service Statement on Advance Appropriations (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)