COVID-19 in Indian Country
The Department of the Treasury is hosting two consultations to discuss what to do with the leftover funds promised to tribal governments through the CARES Act.
The Treasury Department

Join President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson for a Lunchtime Chat to hear from Tlingit & Haida's Tribal Emergency Operations Center and receive an update on our CARES Act projects and services.
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A federal judge will hold a status conference in Shawnee Tribe v. Yellen, formerly known as Shawnee Tribe v. Mnuchin, on February 25, 2021.

A federal judge will hold a status conference in Shawnee Tribe v. Yellen, formerly known as Shawnee Tribe v. Mnuchin, on February 17, 2021.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has re-filed litigation against the U.S. Department of Treasury relating to the distribution of CARES Act funds.
prairie band potawatomi nation

A federal judge recently issued two orders in Shawnee Tribe v. Mnuchin, an ongoing dispute over COVID-19 relief for tribal governments.

"While other tribes received millions, the U.S. Treasury Department flagrantly shortchanged the Shawnee Tribe from its fair share of the CARES Act coronavirus relief funds," said Chief Ben Barnes.
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The Shawnee Tribe has scored a major victory against the Trump administration in an ongoing COVID-19 funding dispute.

"The Hataałi are the first responders and essential, front line public health workers. We feel like we have just been forgotten."
Window Rock Arizona Navajo Nation

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez once again affirmed his support for CARES Act Hardship Assistance funds to be used for direct relief for the Navajo people.
Window Rock Arizona Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation Office of the Controller officially launched the online application for the CARES Act Hardship Assistance Program.

A second-round of 48,000 paper applications for the CARES Act Hardship Assistance Program are being delivered across the Navajo Nation.

The Gun Lake Tribe announced donations that total $500,000 to several local schools and the Allegan County government to assist in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez met with Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-Arizona) to discuss ongoing CARES Act projects and the pending December 30, 2020, deadline to expend COVID-19 relief funds.

"This was a shameful failure of federal relations with Indian Country," said Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona), chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) are urging the Trump administration to give tribes more time to use the coronavirus relief fund.

“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).

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation CARES Act program benefits tribal citizens and tribally owned businesses hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona) announced that tribes will not lose future Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding as a result of the CARES Act funding they received.

The Navajo Nation and the Indian Health Service are working together to utilize CARES Act funds for water projects on the reservation.