COVID-19 in Indian Country
“I worked hard to include this important language and am relieved the Senate passed this critical extension for tribes to be able to expend CARES Act funds,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Lisa Murkowski

Urban Indian health providers will finally be able to use existing funds to expand, renovate and upgrade their facilities under the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
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“Tribal communities face grave and unjust disparities in access to many kinds of infrastructure, but the disparities in access to health care and health infrastructure are especially stark,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California).
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NAFOA is coordinating with several national organizations to convene a Tribal Leader Town Hall to discuss the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package.

“As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I’m compelled to speak out to urge immediate, bipartisan action to provide more targeted relief for Native communities,” said Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico).

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) announced he tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, on October 2, 2020.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) announced he tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in a post on social media on October 2, 2020.

'Tribes and Tribally-owned businesses from across Indian Country have been severely impacted by the economic strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,' a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators told the Trump administration.

The Tribal Health Data Improvement Act ensure that tribes have access to the same public health data as states and local governments, addressing an obstacle that has arisen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden for President released a statement responding to misleading claims made by Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer at the Republican National Convention.

Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) led a bicameral group of lawmakers in calling out the Federal Communications Commission for shortchanging Tribes on the Tribal broadband application deadline.

The Trump administration and its failed response to the Covid-19 pandemic has left Native Americans behind.

The pro-DAPL governor of North Dakota made national news for a COVID-19 press conference in which he pleaded for civility.

Governor Kristi Noem sent letters to Chairman Harold Frazier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and President Bear Runner of the Oglala Sioux Tribe demanding that coronavirus checkpoints be removed from highways.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) joined Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to immediately disburse $8 billion in critical relief funds to eligible federally recognized Tribal governments.

The Great Plains Region is one of 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs Regions in the United States, encompassing nearly 25 percent of all Indian land owned by federally recognized tribes.

Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) announced that small tribal gaming enterprises under 500 employees can now apply for financial relief through the Payment Protection Program, a move welcomed by tribal leaders.

The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island is one of six tribal governments suing the Trump administration in order to prevent for-profit corporations from cashing in on an $8 billion coronavirus relief fund.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on the Trump administration to prevent Alaska Native corporations from receiving a share of the $8 billion coronavirus relief fund.

Lawmakers continue to call on the Small Business Administration to issue updated guidance to allow small tribal gaming enterprises under 500 employees to apply for assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.