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After lawsuits and numerous delays, the Trump Administration distributed billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money to tribes. But there remain some challenges and frustrations. Federal lawsuits have yet to decide whether Alaska Native corporations should receive any of the funds. Also tribes now confront the bureaucracy of conforming to the narrow scope of criteria required by the federal legislation for eligibility. We’ll check in with tribes on some of the good and bad outcomes of receiving federal relief aid.
Guests:
Dr. Aaron Payment (Tribe of Chippewa Indians) – chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and first vice-president of the National Congress of American Indians
Arlan Melendez (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony) – Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Eric Henson (Chickasaw) – executive vice president at Compass Lexecon and a research affiliate for the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development
Break 1 music: Tha Justice League (song) Wayne Silas, Jr. (artist) True: Round Dance Songs (album)
Break 2 music: Kaja Paluna (Mujer De Maiz) (song) Ranferi Aguilar (artist) Sounds Of Indian Summer: Contemporary Native Music From The National Museum Of The American Indian (album)
I’m concerned that tribes received so much money, their eyes are worried about their immediate family and friends…OVER ALL tribal members who need this help due food cost rising, needing supplies, and the things this funding was intended for. How can I contact some to help get these issues addressed???