Facebook Twitter Email
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2001

No stranger to tragedy, Indian Country has responded to last week's deadly terrorist attacks with an outpouring of support.

From blood drives to supplies to monetary contributions, tribal leaders throughout the nation reacted quickly to the national tragedy that has left upwards of 5,000 dead. Whether near or far to the disasters in New York City and Washington, DC, tribes have aided with donations as large as $1 million as the rescue and recovery effort continues with no clear end in sight.

Known for being represented in the military in great numbers, the participation should come as no surprise. Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb, who was temporarily stranded in the nation's capitol last Tuesday, put it best when he said: "An attack on America is an attack on Indian Country."

Flush with casino profits, a number of tribes are giving money to help victims and families. Among the tribes donating money have been the Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California ($25,000), the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas ($100,000), the Tulalip Tribes of Washington ($100,00)) and the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut ($1 million).

Focusing locally, others have donated services and organized blood and supply drives. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut used its ferries to transport people to and from lower Manhattan at the height of the disaster at the World Trade Center.

McCaleb's agency, too, has given support of its own. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was holding a training class for investigators and police chiefs at a Marine base in Virginia.

When the base was put on high military alert, the group of 25 were immediately assigned to local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, they have been helping guard Secretary Gale Norton's office at the Department of Interior, said BIA spokesperson Nedra Darling.

Darling also said a number of tribal leaders were at the Interior when the attacks were occurring. They evacuated safely, she said, and began heading home -- as far away as Montana in the case of the Crow Tribe whose leaders Darling said were taking a train.

Relief agencies are currently crushed with supplies and food. While the American Red Cross and others have expressed gratitude, officials have asked Americans instead to donate money.

The donations in New York City have been so great that some are not being used and food has been thrown away, the New York Times reported yesterday. Space to hold clothing, supplies and other items is running out.

As recovery efforts will no doubt last for many more weeks to come, there is the danger that support will taper off. Relief agencies are urging Americans to keep in mind that their aid will be needed in the months ahead.

More than 5,000 persons are missing or confirmed dead in New York City. About 200 were killed in the attack on the Pentagon.

Join Native America Calling today at 1PM Eastern Standard Time for a discussion on tribal relief and recovery efforts.

Relevant Links:
American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org

Related Stories:
McCaleb walks own trail of tears (9/14)
Osama bin Laden prime suspect (9/14)
Bush decries 'acts of war' (9/13)
'Quiet' at Interior after attacks (9/12)
World Trade Center, Pentagon attacked (9/11)