COVID-19 in Indian Country
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE StrongHearts Native Helpline Will Continue to Offer Services During COVID-19 Pandemic   (EAGAN, Minn., March 19, 2020) — StrongHearts Native Helpline acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for all Native people. We are very concerned about those most vulnerable including those who may be in unhealthy or abusive relationships; therefore, […]

For Immediate Release March 19, 2020 Udall Statement on Indian Country Priorities for Coronavirus Phase 3 Package WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, issued the following statement on priorities for Indian Country he is calling for to be included in the third coronavirus response legislation: […]

Update on the 2020 National Conference March 19, 2020 As we look forward to the 2020 National UNITY Conference in Washington, DC, we want to assure you that the health and safety of our attendees is our top priority. We are closely monitoring health advisories and updates from the World Health Organization and the Centers […]

Note: To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal members, employees and casino guests, Lucky Star Casinos will close all locations in Oklahoma tonight through April 2, 2020. The tribe is also paying all employees, tribal government and casino employees their regular salary for two weeks. All essential […]

Tell Congress to Include Tribal Housing in Any New Stimulus Funding Package! Right now, Congress is putting together a package to bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.   NAIHC has created this campaign to let Congress know the need for tribal housing to be included in any new stimulus funding package!   Funding Tribal […]

COVID-19 Discussion with Title VI Grantees March 19, 2020 The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) will be convening weekly calls with all Title VI grantees about the coronavirus (COVID-19). These calls will provide new information and updates to tribal programs, but most importantly are an opportunity for tribes to discuss the impact that COVID-19 is […]

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation and one of four tribal citizens in the U.S. House of Representatives, has placed herself in self-quarantine until March 26, 2020, after being in “contact with a fellow member of Congress who recently tested positive for COVID-19.” Davids joins Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen […]

In his regular Mullin’ It Over column, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, discusses efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the United States: The decisions we make each day impact our communities. Even if you are a young or healthy person, you can spread the disease and increase […]

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  

NEWS RELEASE March 18, 2020 WASHINGTON – After careful consideration, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt directed the National Park Service (NPS) to  temporarily suspend the collection of all park entrance fees until further notice. “I’ve directed the National Park Service to waive entrance fees at parks that remain open. This small step makes it a […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 BLM to temporarily suspend entrance fees on public lands across America WASHINGTON – After careful consideration and at the direction of Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, the Bureau of Land Management will temporarily suspend the collection of all entrance fees until further notice. As a result, site-specific standard […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 19, 2020 U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Warns of Coronavirus Scams TULSA, Okla. – As the United States Attorney’s Office continues its public safety mission, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores cautions the public to be aware of fraud schemes seeking to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis.   “The U.S. Attorney’s […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE MUSEUM AT WARM SPRINGS TO CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020  (WARM SPRINGS, Ore., March 18, 2020) — The Museum At Warm Springs will close to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18. It will remain closed through Wednesday, April 1, 2020. In the event individuals require […]

March 19, 2020 AAJA Issues Joint Statement Denouncing Anti-Asian Racism During Coronavirus Outbreak  From the Board of Directors of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), with the support of the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), and NLGJA: The […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2020 THE POKAGON BAND DONATES NINE PALLETS OF FOOD FROM ITS FOUR WINDS CASINOS TO FEED THOSE IN NEED Food will be distributed throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana by Feeding America and Cultivate DOWAGIAC, Mich. – March 19, 2020 – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi have donated nine pallets […]

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 […]

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 […]