Despite the Wisconsin Supreme Court voting to end the Governor’s “Safer At Home” order, tribal leadership in Wisconsin are reminding their citizens that tribes have the sovereign right to maintain its Shelter-at-Home declaration and curfew on the reservation.
The Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation is now under lockdown after confirming 14 new cases of COVID-19 within the community. Meanwhile, there have been 147 new cases of COVID-19 in Navajo Nation leading to 16 more deaths.
Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma describes the situation and shares what the tribe is doing to keep the virus at bay when it’s surrounded by so many COVID-19 cases on the Navajo reservation.
Since coronavirus hit Nevada in full swing in March, the Moapa Band of Paiutes has prioritized protecting its people, particularly the elderly. Of the tribe’s 330 members, 67 are elders, and Tribal officials fear that if elders were to contract and die from COVID-19, the Southern Paiute language could die with them. This is a concern that NUNA has been hearing across Indian Country, and we continue to track this issue closely as tribes and communities take action to protect their communities and cultures.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, pressed representatives from broadband service providers to focus on expanding broadband internet access to Indian Country during a hearing for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Francisco Cali Tzay is launching a study focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, and is calling for responses by June 15th. The outcomes of this study will be presented to the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, which will begin on September 15, 2020.
Chairmen of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation defended their recent gambling compacts with the state in a 10-page legal memo sent to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. Earlier this month NUNA reported that the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association voted to amend its bylaw and remove the two tribal members from the organization.
Win-River will be the first Indian Casino to reopen in California with some changes made to the gaming floor and a limit on the number of guests.
“We are the first tribe to open up in California so we’re setting that example, and we are leading the way in Indian country, and I’ve received calls from many chairmen across California, saying thank you, Chairman, for taking that step, or your tribe taking that step and being the first one. You’re setting the example for Indian country. You’ve opened Indian country back up, and we appreciate that,” said Win-River Tribal Chairman Jack Potter.
The Small Business Administration released an updated FAQ fact sheet on the Payroll Protection Program. Businesses with a PPP loan under $2 million now automatically fit the SBA forgiveness criteria with respect to financial hardship, meaning they no longer need to prove that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their business.
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
Wisconsin Tribes Will Remain Maintain Stay-At-home Rules, Even As State Court Votes To End Governor’s “Safer At Home” Order
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, May 14
The state of Wisconsin may be turning into the “Wild West” following a court ruling on Wednesday, but American Indian tribes in the Dairy State plan to continue sheltering in place in the coming days and weeks.
Win-River Resort And Casino Set To Reopen
KRCR NEWS ABC 7, Mike Mangas and Alec Newboles, May 14
On Friday, Win-River will be the first Indian Casino in the state to reopen.
In consultation with Shasta County Public Health, The Redding Rancheria has made some changes to the gaming floor.
16 Additional Covid-19 Deaths Reported Wednesday On Navajo Nation – Death Toll At 119
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, May 14
The Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 147 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation and a total of 119 deaths as of Wednesday. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 3,392, many of whom have recovered or are in the process of recovering from the virus.
Rosebud Indian Reservation Under Lockdown As Tribe Has 14 Positive Covid-19 Cases
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, May 14
Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Rodney Bordeaux on Wednesday issued a lockdown for the entire Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota beginning at midnight tonight. The lockdown will remain in effect until Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 6 a.m. – CDT.
COVID-19: ‘We Have A Wildfire Burning Around Us’
Indian Country Today, May 14
The Hopi Tribe’s reservation is in northeastern Arizona and in the middle of the Navajo Nation. This is presenting unique issues to the tribe in this pandemic. Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma shares what the tribe is doing to keep the virus at bay when it’s surrounded by so many COVID-19 cases on the surrounding Navajo reservation.
Actress Joely Fisher And Protect The Sacred Provide Pet Food To Help Navajo Families
Native News Online, May 14
Actress Joely Fisher, Protect the Sacred, Nestlé Purina, Arizona Army National Guard, Navajo Nation Attorney General Doreen N. McPaul, and attorneys and staff with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice teamed up to distribute cat and dog food to Navajo families.
UN Special Rapporteur On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Launches Study On Covid-19 Pandemic On Indigenous Peoples
Native News Online, May 14
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Francisco Cali Tzay launched a formal study on Wednesday focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions[Document]
Department of the Treasury, May 13
Nevada Tribes Fear Loss Of Elders, Language And Revenue From COVID-19
Las Vegas Sun, Miranda Willson, May 13
Since coronavirus hit Nevada in full swing in March, the Moapa Band of Paiutes has prioritized protecting its people, particularly the elderly.
Will Covid-19 Create Smoke-Free Casinos?
Indian Country Today, May 13
Clinton Isham is an independent consultant working on an initiative to turn tribally-owned and operated casinos smoke-free. He is from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Indians in Wisconsin.
Sean Mccabe: How Should Native Nations Spend Covid-19 Funds?
Indianz.com, Sean McCabe, May 13
Tribes that receive CARES Act money will need to spend it by the end of December this year, or else pay back any remaining funds and expenses that are not considered “allowable” under the limited guidance of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Other:
Udall Builds Support For Expanding Broadband Access In Indian Country At Senate Commerce Committee Hearing
Committee On Indian Affairs, May 14
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, pressed representatives from broadband service providers to focus on expanding broadband internet access to Indian Country. Each representative on the witness panel expressed support for Udall’s legislation, the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act of 2020, and committed to advancing further efforts to expand service to Tribal lands during and after the COVID-19 crisis.
Oklahoma Tribal Leaders Defend Gambling Compacts
Indian Country Today, May 14
The leaders of two Oklahoma-based Native American tribes defended on Wednesday their recent gambling compacts with the state and urged the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve them.
Tribal Colleges And Universities Are Putting Native Students First During The Pandemic
Teen Vogue, Rebecca Nagle, May 13
“I had a friend who told me one time that the more degrees you get, the more credentials you get, the harder it is to ignore you,” Jasmine Neosh (Menominee) told Teen Vogue by phone. The junior at the College of Menominee Nation, a school chartered by her tribe, is working on her bachelor’s in public administration, and plans to pursue a master’s in environmental science and policy. When she graduates, she wants to help Indigenous communities, many of which are on the front lines, prepare for climate change.
Tribe, States: Stop Coal Sales From US Lands
Indian Country Today, Matthew Brown, May 14
A coalition of U.S. states, environmentalists and a Native American tribe asked a federal judge on Wednesday to revive a moratorium on coal sales from federal lands that was imposed under former President Barack Obama then dropped by the Trump administration.
Santa Fe Indian Market Goes Virtual For 2020 Event
Native News Online, Rich Tupica, May 14
While the Santa Fe Indian Market (SWAIA) was cancelled due to COVID 19, the colossal Native arts event is moving ahead online.
Kevin T. Tarrant, Native NYC-Based Musician, Activist And Arts Leader, Dies At 51
Native News Online, Mikayla Steele, May 14
Kevin T. Tarrant, a musician and community activist who was a leader in the New York City’s Native American community, died May 4, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19. He was 51.
American Indian Man Aims To Revive Lawsuit Against Redskins, NFL [Subscription]
Bloomberg Law, Peter Hayes, May 14
A man asserting American Indian ancestry asked the Ninth Circuit on Thursday to allow his appeal of dismissed defamation and trademark infringement claims against the NFL, the Washington Redskins football club, and team owner Daniel Snyder for using the likeness of American Indians “in a racist and offensive manner.”
Tribes Go To Court To Defend Protections For Yellowstone Grizzlies
Indianz.com, Johnathan Hettinger, May 13
The future of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is now in the hands of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
On Tuesday, May 5, the court heard video arguments in the federal and state governments’ appeal of a 2018 decision that restored Endangered Species Act protections for the bear in the three-state region.