Good morning, NUNAverse:
Following a 15-hour voting session that stretched until about 5:30 A.M. EST this morning, the Senate officially adopted President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package. The vote split along party lines, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting her first tiebreaking vote. Senators also agreed to bar any increase in the federal minimum wage during the pandemic.
Native News Online reports that the Indian Health Service (IHS) has received an additional $1 billion to continue its response to COVID-19 in Indian Country. This funding is part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed by Congress on December 27, 2020. Of the $1 billion provided in the act, $790 million will support testing, contact tracing, containment, mitigation, and related activities to monitor and suppress COVID-19 in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The bill also provides $210 million for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs to plan and prepare for coronavirus vaccines to ensure broad-based distribution, access, and vaccine coverage.
Tribal gaming payments to Wisconsin’s general fund declined by nearly 82% last fiscal year as the pandemic forced tribes to close their casinos, hotels and restaurants, according to a report released Thursday. The analysis from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum found that tribes funneled only $5.3 million to the state general fund in the year that ended June 30. That’s down from $29.1 million in the previous year.
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
IHS Receives Additional $1 Billion For Continued COVID-19 Response
Native News Online, February 4
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has received an additional $1 billion to continue its response to the coronavirus in Indian Country. This funding is part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed by Congress on Dec. 27, 2020. Of the $1 billion provided in the act, $790 million will support testing, contact tracing, containment, mitigation, and related activities to monitor and suppress COVID-19 in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The bill also provides $210 million for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs to plan and prepare for coronavirus vaccines to ensure broad-based distribution, access, and vaccine coverage.
Navajo Nation Reports 110 New COVID-19 Cases On Thursday
Native News Online, February 4
On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 110 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and nine more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,047 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 14,892 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 235,109 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 28,668, including 14 delayed reported cases.
Politics:
Senate Backs Biden’s Stimulus But Rejects Quick Minimum Wage Hike
New York Times, Luke Broadwater, Hailey Fuchs, Jim Takersley, February 5
The Senate endorsed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package just before sunrise on Friday, voting along party lines over unified Republican opposition to approve a budget blueprint that would allow Democrats to enact it with no G.O.P. support.
Casinos:
Pandemic Cut Tribal Gaming Payments By Nearly 82%
AP News, Madison, February 4
Tribal gaming payments to Wisconsin’s general fund declined by nearly 82% last fiscal year as the pandemic forced tribes to close their casinos, hotels and restaurants, according to a report released Thursday. Wisconsin tribes have signed compacts with the state that give them the exclusive right to offer gambling in exchange for payments to the state. The money is divided between the state general fund and programs that benefit tribal members, such as revitalizing native languages. The analysis from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum found that tribes funneled only $5.3 million to the state general fund in the year that ended June 30. That’s down from $29.1 million in the previous year.
Other:
Effective, Equitable Renewable Energy Development In Indian Country
Forbes, Elizabeth Kronk Warner and Geoff Davis, February 4
Promotion of equitable renewable energy development in Indian Country is crucial for both tribal governments and the United States. President Biden recognizes this fact. In The Biden Plan For A Clean Energy Revolution and Environmental Justice, the president specifies that the United States must achieve a 100% clean energy economy and reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Such accomplishments are necessary to build a stronger, more resilient nation, and to ensure the United States does not get left behind in the renewable energy revolution.
Bridging The Digital Divide In Indian Country
High Country News, Jessica Douglas, February 4
In the many Indigenous communities where broadband connectivity is scarce, transitioning to virtually held tribal council meetings and medical appointments during the pandemic has been challenging. A report released this week is offering Indigenous communities some insight into how they might be able to address the pressing need for new internet infrastructure while also strengthening their tribal sovereignty.
Rural Alaska Natives Hope Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Service Can Level Playing Field
Native News Online, Jenna Kunze, February 4
SpaceX Starlink, an upcoming satellite-beaming internet service, has begun its testing to offer high-speed internet to remote tribal areas in the U.S. where broadband is notoriously spotty, throttled and expensive. Internet access in rural Alaska is notoriously expensive, making the prospect of Starlink in remote Alaskan villages and cities all the more intriguing for the people who live there. Residents say it would improve online education and services like telehealth, while imploring the federal government to level the playing field for communities that lack reliable broadband throughout the state.
Criticism Of Alaska Article Stirs Broader Discussion
Indian Country Today, Joaqlin Estus, February 4
Alaska Public Media reporter Nathaniel Herz has done numerous stories on the fight against COVID-19 in Alaska in the past year. His stories described historical pandemics that decimated Alaska Native populations, and has reported on the tribal health system’s success in vaccinating tribal members despite logistical challenges. Then last weekend Herz wrote and aired a story headlined: “Eligibility differences between state and tribal health systems frustrate some Alaskans waiting for vaccines.” The story said the Anchorage-based Southcentral Foundation was vaccinating people who work with Alaska Natives and for Native organizations. The story featured critics who said the Native nonprofit should instead be giving shots to more vulnerable groups no matter what their relationship with Natives.