We are in the last big push to extend the Census deadline, and need a surge of support to make sure Indian Country is completely counted this Census cycle! Yesterday, a bipartisan bill was introduced into the Senate to extend the enumeration deadline. The Native Voice Network (NVN) is hosting a Town Hall today in California from 4-5:00pm PT. See event details here. Participate in the event by posting on social media and getting engaged. Here is the social media toolkit to use.
A bipartisan bill recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 8255, reaffirms action taken earlier this year by the Department of the Interior that took 17 acres of land into trust status in Cleveland County, North Carolina, for the Catawba Nation.
Congressional leadership from both sides of the aisle on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs called on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell to increase access to lending programs created under the CARES Act for tribal governments.
On August 31, the California Legislature sent a bill to the Governor’s desk that would allow the State Department of Public Health to create California’s first suicide prevention office. The bill would require the office to focus resources on high-risk groups such as youth, Native American youth, older adults, veterans, and LGBTQ persons.
The Cherokee Nation partnered with Hunger Free Oklahoma, a nonprofit organization based out of Tulsa, to distribute more than 13,000 ready-made meals to Cherokee elders after many senior nutrition sites were temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
Minneapolis Fed Seeks Tribal Input On COVID-19 Impact
Native News Online, September 16
The Center for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is asking tribal governments and their enterprises to answer a survey about how COVID-19 is affecting them. The brief survey asks about the impact of COVID-19 on employment, revenues and the level of government services as a result of current or anticipated revenue decreases.
Cherokee Nation Distributes Over 13,000 Ready-Made Meals As Part Of COVID-19 Response Effort
Native News Online, September 15
After many senior nutrition sites were temporarily closed to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the Cherokee Nation stepped up its efforts to feed Cherokee elders. So far, more than 13,000 ready-made meals have been distributed to Cherokee elders in the Cherokee Nation’s service area in northeastern Oklahoma.
Law:
Legislation Introduced By Key Members Of Congress Reaffirms Land Trust Status Of The Cleveland County, North Carolina, Lands Of The Catawba Nation
Catawba Nation, September 16
The Catawba Nation today announced its support and appreciation of Tuesday’s introduction of the Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill reaffirms the actions earlier this year of the Department of the Interior, following a thorough, years-long review, in taking 17 acres of land into trust status in Cleveland County, North Carolina, for the Catawba Nation.
National Census:
Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills Asks U.S. Senate To Reinstate 2020 Census Period To October 31
Native News Online, September 16
Olympic Gold Medalist and Running Strong for American Indian Youth National spokesperson Billy Mills delivered 2,027 signatures to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday asking for the 2020 Census deadline to be reinstated to Oct. 31.
CARES Act:
Bipartisan Leadership Of Senate Committees On Indian Affairs And Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs Call For Better Access To Cares Act Funding
Indianz.com, September 16
U.S. Senator Tom Udall and other Senate Committee leadership are encouraging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Jerome Powell to increase access to lending programs created under the CARES Act for Tribal governments as they face increasing economic strain from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other:
Trump Administration Short On Details For White House Council On Native American Affairs
Indianz.com, Acee Agoyo, September 16
The Trump administration insists the White House Council on Native American Affairs is “moving full speed ahead” despite declining to detail the work it’s supposedly doing as the November presidential election quickly approaches. The recently revived council met an early demise when its leader — executive director Tyler Fish, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation — went on military leave last month. His absence is expected to last through mid-October.
Coronavirus Drained Black, Latino, and Native Americans’ Savings Way More Than White People’s
VICE, Emma Ockerman, September 16
White and non-white households reported similar disparities in answers about paying off debt, struggles to pay rent or mortgage bills, serious problems affording food, trouble buying medical care, and more.
California’s First Suicide Prevention Office To Focus On Native Youth
Native News Online, Nanette Kelley, September 15
New state legislation in California targeting suicide prevention could stand to benefit communities like Humboldt County, where the suicide rate among Native youth is three times higher than the state average. If signed, the legislation would allow the State Department of Public Health to create California’s first suicide prevention office.
Oneida Cyclist Becomes First Native American To Compete In Tour De France
Native News Online, Monica Whitepigeon, September 15
Dreams continue to come true for Oneida cyclist Neilson Powless as he became the first Native American to compete in the Tour de France. He is also only one of three Americans to ride in this year’s competition.