CARES Act Data Leak

CARES Act Data Breach

Indianz.com, April 18

The Department of the Interior released the following statement in connection with the release of sensitive tribal information that was submitted to the U.S. government’s CARES Act portal: “In our consultation efforts with the Department of the Treasury regarding CARES Act funding, we have been asked to verify for accuracy some of the non-financial information submitted by tribes to Treasury, and we have not been provided any confidential banking information.”

Southern Ute Indian Tribe says U.S. Treasury Dept. leaked confidential information

The Durango Herald, April 19

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is demanding an investigation into the U.S. Treasury Department after the tribe said the department leaked confidential tribal information given to it as part of an effort to obtain funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Cares Act Tribal Data Breached: One Observer Calls It Indian Country’s ‘Watergate’

Native News Online, Levi Rickert, April 19

A breach of tribal information supplied to the U.S. government for pandemic relief funds occurred Friday evening, in what one observer described as Indian Country’s “Watergate.”

CARES ACT Funding & Lawsuit 

At least 600 tribes, corporations apply for piece of $8B pie

Indian Country Today, Aliyah Chavez and Mark Trahant, April 17

At least 600 tribes and Alaska Native corporations are seeking a piece of a designated $8 billion relief package aimed at helping tribes respond to the coronavirus and stay afloat as many have had to close their casinos and other main income sources.

Native American tribes sue feds over coronavirus relief distribution

The Hill, J. Edward Moreno, April 17

Several native American tribes filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department on Friday, arguing that for-profit Alaska Native corporations shouldn’t get a share of the $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief for tribes.

Tribes sue Treasury over recovery money for for-profit corporations

Politico, Adam Cancryn, April 17

Six Native American tribes are suing the Trump administration over plans to give for-profit Alaska Native corporations access to an $8 billion coronavirus aid fund earmarked for tribal governments.

Native American Tribes File Suit Against U.S. Treasury Over $8 Billion In Coronavirus Relief To Keep Money From Going To Corporations

Newsweek, Jeffery Martin, April 17

Some Native American tribes whose livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic filed suit against the U.S. Treasury on Friday in an attempt to ensure that $8 billion in relief funds would go directly to tribal governments and not to Alaska Native corporations. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was named in the legal documents as the defendant.

Tribes question relief funds for Alaska Native corporations

13WHAM, Felicia Fonseca, April 17

Native American leaders are raising questions about how $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief for tribes will be distributed, with some arguing that for-profit Alaska Native corporations shouldn’t get a share of the funding.

Other:

Longstanding issues put Native American communities at high COVID-19 risk

CBS, April 18

Longstanding issues such as overcrowded housing and inadequate health care within Native American communities make them one of the most at-risk groups as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the U.S. Although $10 billion from the federal CARES Act has been set aside for direct finding to tribes and federal Native American programs, a new fight has emerged over how the federal government should distribute the money. 

COVID-19 disproportionately impacts communities of color

MSNBC, April 19, 2020

Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, in terms of infection rates and deaths. What can be done to address these disparities threatening black, Native American, undocumented, and additional communities? Joy Reid and her panel discuss.