COVID-19 in Indian Country
In a column written before he went into self-quarantine, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, discussed efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the United States: “… the reality is that each of us have a part to play in saving and protecting lives during this pandemic.” https://www.indianz.com/News/2020/03/19/rep-tom-cole-flatten-the-curve.asp  

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and one of four tribal citizens in the U.S. House of Representatives, is placing himself on coronavirus self-quarantine until March 27, 2020. His decision comes after being in “extended contact” with Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida), who was the first member of Congress to report testing […]

Ethel Branch, a former Attorney General of the Navajo Nation, has organized a fundraiser to help Navajo and Hopi families during the COVID-19 crisis. On GoFundMe, Branch writes: The Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation are extreme food deserts with only 9 grocery stores on Navajo to serve some 180,000 people and only 1 grocery store […]

The coronavirus continues to wreak social and economic havoc in Indian County, with more and more tribes curtailing their operations as the first cases are confirmed in their communities. Indian Country plunges into uncertainty as coronavirus reaches their communities

News Release March 18, 2020 Ponca Tribe of Nebraska declares State of Emergency and announces travel ban Lincoln, Nebraska – The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska has declared a State of Emergency, in response to diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in the Ponca Tribe service delivery area counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. The announcement comes […]

Indianz.Com Video: Coronavirus in Indian Country #COVID19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Virtual Listening Session — TODAY, March 17 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time Join colleagues for a virtual listening session with federal partners on the Coronavirus’ impacts on Indian Country and how its being addressed at the national level. CDC Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Jay C. Butler, MD, will provide an update from […]

Here’s the most recent COVID-19 update from the Indian Health Service, dated March 16, 2020: https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/announcements/2020-announcements/covid-19-update-as-of-march-16-2020/ Also on Monday, the IHS released a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the coronavirus: https://www.ihs.gov/sites/newsroom/themes/responsive2017/display_objects/documents/IHS_COVID-19_FAQs_03162020.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2020 Senators Warren and Udall Unveil Bill to Guarantee Tribal Health Authorities Access to the Strategic National Stockpile Indian Health Service and other tribal health organizations currently lack guaranteed, direct access to federal repository of drugs and medical supplies for emergencies Legislation would allow the Indian Health Service, tribal health […]

For Immediate Release March 16, 2020 Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, announced plans to self-quarantine after a brief interaction with an individual who was at the time asymptomatic but later tested positive for COVID-19.   Congressman Luján is exhibiting no symptoms, and health professionals have advised […]

ICYMI: The National Indian Gaming Association has postponed its 2020 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention, which was scheduled to take place March 24-27 in San Diego, California. https://www.indianz.com/IndianGaming/2020/03/16/national-indian-gaming-association-postp.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EPA Expands COVID-19 Disinfectant List, Adding Nearly 200 Additional Products (Lenexa, Kan., March 16, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing an expanded list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The list contains nearly 200 additional products—including 40 […]

Vision Maker Media has postponed its biennial film festival, originally scheduled to take place April 22-30 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The organization, which works with Native producers to create indigenous programs for television and radio, has tentatively rescheduled the festival for August 27-September 3. “The well-being of the community is our priority,” said Alana Stone, project […]

The U.S. Supreme Court, in an unprecedented move, is postponing arguments that were to take place between March 23-25 and March 30-April 1. The action, announced on Monday, does not immediately address what will happen to the only Indian law hearing on the docket: McGirt v. Oklahoma, whose outcome will determine the jurisdictional status of […]

From Original Pechanga: List of Tribal Casinos Which Remain Open in S.California https://www.originalpechanga.com/2020/03/list-of-tribal-casinos-which-remain.html List of Tribal Casinos Which Remain Open in S.Cali amid #coronavirushttps://t.co/she5HnEJiM@indianz — Original Pechanga (@opechanga) March 16, 2020

March 13, 2020 Press Release Bill would ensure Tribes have equal access to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention resources to prepare for public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic Washington, D.C. – As Congress prepares to pass emergency measures to address the coronavirus pandemic, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources Deb Haaland […]

For Immediate Release March 12, 2020 Senator Tom Udall Introduces Legislation to Increase Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Bill would ensure Indian Tribes have equal access to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources to prepare for public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic WASHINGTON – Today, as the United States combats the global […]

News Release: March 12, 2020 As stated by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 11, 2020, the state of New Mexico is experiencing a public health emergency.  As part of her announcement, Governor Lujan Grisham stated that her office is “proactively and aggressively canceling large public events and venues that the state has control over” […]

Tune in on Monday, March 16, 2020, as Native America Calling airs a show entitled “Preparing for Covid-19.” Information about the coronavirus is changing fast. State by state, tribe by tribe, elected leaders and policymakers are responding to new details about Covid-19 on an hourly basis. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you are no […]

Source: FINAL BIE COVID Parent_School Leader Letter_3.4.2020_508 March 4, 2020 United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Parents and School Leaders, The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is actively involved in supporting the U.S. response to COVID-19, or Novel Coronavirus, and continues to collaborate with Federal agencies, […]