COVID-19 in Indian Country
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2020 Hoyer Statement on the Unemployment Insurance Claims Report WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on today’s unemployment insurance claims report: “Today’s unemployment insurance claims report, which showed a one-third increase in claims last week, displays the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak’s […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 MONTANA HEALTH INSURERS EXPANDING TELEHEALTH COVERAGE TO FIGHT COVID-19 INSURANCE COMPANIES VOLUNTARILY ASSISTING IN VIRUS RESPONSE HELENA, Mont. – After working closely with the Insurance Commissioner, four major health insurance companies operating in Montana are voluntarily expanding their coverage of telehealth services to aid in the state’s response to […]

The Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians) has declared a COVID-19 State of Emergency. http://sokaogonchippewa.com People are asked not to enter the elderly building. Contact info here: The 33rd annual Mole Lake Youth Trails Pow Wow, set to take place March 28-29, 2020, has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled. The […]

March 19, 2020 COVID-19 RESPONSE Dear Friends,   The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic is creating a unique and challenging situation that will have long reaching effects on our daily lives. Team ONABEN is dedicated to creating an environment of productivity and positivity during this time.  In doing so, we wanted to share the steps that […]

COVID-19 Legislative Efforts and Updates March 19, 2020 NAFOA is working diligently to make sure Indian Country is included in any legislative relief efforts related to COVID-19. This is a summary of the coordinated actions of the national and regional Native organizations to date.  We will continue to keep the NAFOA community updated as the situation evolves. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03-19-2020 Sault Tribe declares state of emergency SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors and Gaming Authority each declared a state of emergency at special meetings March 17, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The state of emergency is […]

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 Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 Third member of the Navajo Nation tests positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, Public Health Emergency Order issued  WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed on Wednesday evening by the Navajo Department of Health that a third […]

The 24TH NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL Office of the Speaker FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 Navajo Nation Council assures students, returning relatives that borders are not closed WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — After reports circulated Wednesday that the Navajo Nation was issuing a closure of its borders, Speaker Seth Damon of the 24th Navajo Nation Council […]

The 24TH NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL Office of the Speaker FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 Legislative Branch to close, Council to continue addressing COVID-19 legislation WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Speaker Seth Damon directed all Legislative Branch programs to close administrative offices and to begin implementing remote work plans for all staff on Mar. 18, 2020. The […]

NEWS RELEASE  March 18, 2020 Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino & Resort and UltraStar Multi-Tainment Center to temporarily suspend operations  Ak-Chin Indian Community expands COVID-19 prevention measures Ak-Chin Community Council has announced additional safeguard measures to protect Tribal members and the public from the spread of Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19.   Specifically, the UltraStar Multi-Tainment Center at […]

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 For Immediate Release TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND GAMING OPERATIONS Action taken to Slow COVID-19 Pandemic, Support Community Health TUCSON, Ariz. — Leaders of the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise (TOGE) have made the decision to suspend their gaming operations temporarily. All Desert Diamond Casino properties […]

Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) reported testing positive for COVID-19, becoming the second member of Congress to contract the coronavirus. Statement: “On Saturday evening, after returning from Washington, D.C., I developed mild cold-like symptoms. In consultation with my doctor on Sunday, I immediately isolated myself in my home.  I have been conducting all meetings by telephone.  […]

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) has tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first member of Congress to do so. In a post on social media, he said he placed himself in self-quarantine last Friday and has been working from an apartment in Washington, D.C. His district in Florida includes Miccosukee and Seminole homelands. I'm feeling […]

Navajo Nation President Jonatha Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer held a Press Conference to provide updates addressing COVID-19 cases that were confirmed for two members on the Navajo Nation. Navajo Nation Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne, Dr. Jill Jim, Navajo Department of Health Director, Roselyn Tso, Navajo Area Indian Health Service Director, Dr. Loretta Christensen, […]

SHERWOOD VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS Sherwood Valley Casino Will Temporarily Suspend Operations to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 WILLITS, CA – Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced today that in an abundance of precaution they have made the difficult decision to suspend all operations through the end […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2020 Hoyer Signs Families First Coronavirus Response Act WASHINGTON, DC – Following passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in the United States Senate, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) signed the enrolled bill to send to the President for his signature. “The House took swift action to […]

03.18.20 Chair Grijalva Pushes for Clarity on Federal Coronavirus Response in Indian Country – Asks for Documentation of Testing Equipment at Tribal Centers Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today sent a letter to Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, principal deputy director for Indian Health Services (IHS), citing a number of concerns about the […]

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham on Operational Updates March 18, 2020 Release Number CB20-RTQ.08 MARCH 18, 2020 — Less than one week ago, the 2020 Census fully kicked off, and invitations continue to arrive in mailboxes across the nation.  As of this morning, more than eleven million households have responded. America is stepping up to […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 The National Congress of American Indians Calls for More Attention to COVID-19 Impacts in Indian Country WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, tribal nations – comprised of some of the most vulnerable communities in the United States – have been left out of the […]