Good morning, NUNAverse:
In his first address to Congress last night, President Biden declared that “America is rising anew” as he called for an expansion of federal programs to drive the economy past the pandemic and broadly extend the social safety net on a scale not seen in decades. Speaking in highly personal terms while demanding massive structural changes, the President marked his first 100 days in office by proposing a $1.8 trillion investment in children, families, and education to help rebuild an economy devastated by COVID-19 and compete with rising global competitors.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the approval of $927,000 for the Tribal Youth Coastal Restoration Programyesterday, which will fund six projects estimated to restore up to 1,000 acres of wildlife habitat on tribal lands along the Gulf Coast. The program will fund hands-on opportunities for tribal youth, including environmental projects and career training, to enhance community resilience, protect natural resources and the environment, and teach cultural values.
In Alaska, a bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes. Supporters say the measure is needed to encourage better collaboration and consultation between the state and tribes; formally acknowledge Alaska tribes’ sovereignty, history, culture, and contributions; and potentially allow them to access additional resources.
With over 95,000 individuals in the Navajo Nation fully vaccinated, as reported by the Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS), the Navajo Nation is nearing herd immunity. According to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, vaccines are widely available to all people who meet the requirements as healthcare facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines during drive-thru events or by appointment. He urged Navajo citizens to inform and encourage their loved ones to receive the vaccine if they have not done so already.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Politics:
Biden’s Declaration: America’s Democracy ‘Is Rising Anew’
AP News, Jonathan Lemire, April 28
President Joe Biden declared Wednesday night that “America is rising anew” as he called for an expansion of federal programs to drive the economy past the pandemic and broadly extend the social safety net on a scale not seen in decades. In his first address to Congress, he pointed optimistically to the nation’s emergence from the coronavirus scourge as a moment for America to prove that its democracy can still work and maintain primacy in the world. Speaking in highly personal terms while demanding massive structural changes, the president marked his first 100 days in office by proposing a $1.8 trillion investment in children, families and education to help rebuild an economy devastated by the virus and compete with rising global competitors.
Sec. Deb Haaland Announces Funding For Six Tribal Youth Environmental And Economic Empowerment Projects
Native News Online, April 28
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced Wednesday the approval of $927,000 for the Tribal Youth Coastal Restoration Program, which will fund six projects estimated to restore up to 1,000 acres of wildlife habitat on tribal lands along the Gulf Coast. The program will fund hands-on opportunities for tribal youth, including environmental projects and career training, to enhance community resilience, protect natural resources and the environment, and teach cultural values. The announcement comes as the Interior Department takes steps to create union jobs around clean energy generation and climate change mitigation, and is guided by President Biden’s Executive Order 14008, which aims to tackle climate change in the U.S. and abroad.
Interior Sets New Path Through Land Maze
Indian Country Today, Aliyah Chavez, April 28
After hearing some tribes completed fee to trust applications, then waited years to hear back, the U.S. Department of Interior is deciding to take action. The agency announced major steps this week to allow for more straightforward guidelines for tribal nations applying to put land into trust. On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, issued a new secretarial order which says fee to trust applications will now be reviewed and authorized by regional directors of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, instead of the previous process that required applications to be reviewed through Interior’s headquarters. According to the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the interior secretary is authorized to acquire land into trust for federally recognized tribes. The changes are effective immediately, though the order will not apply to gaming applications, the Interior department said.
Law:
Bill Requiring Tribes’ Recognition Passes Through Committees
AP News, April 28
A bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes.
COVID-19:
Navajo Area Indian Health Service Reports Over 95,000 Individuals Fully Vaccinated
Native News Online, April 28
With over 95,000 individuals on the largest Indian reservation in America fully vaccinated, as reported by the Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS), the Navajo Nation is nearing herd immunity. According to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, vaccines are widely available to all people who meet the requirements. He urged Navajo citizens to inform and encourage their loved ones to receive the vaccine if they have not done so already. On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health reported 15 new covid-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths.
Casinos:
Sports Betting: The New, Shiny toy
Indian Country Today, Kolby Kickingwoman, April 28
Since the Supreme Court legalized sports betting in the 2018 landmark case, it has slowly but surely increased. While many states only allow in-person betting, more than two dozen states plus Washington, D.C., have made sports betting legal, according to a tracker from the Action Network. Earlier this month, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill legalizing daily sports fantasy and sports betting in the state and last Friday Florida announced an agreement reached between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis to bring the action there. The story continues in Washington state where the Tulalip Tribes also came to an sports wagering agreement to amend the gaming compact with the northwestern state. Legislation in Alabama is moving along, too.
Native Mascots:
Residents Vote To Keep School’s Native American Logo
AP News, April 28
Residents of a Boston suburb have voted to keep the high school’s Native American mascot and logo. Wakefield voters on Tuesday supported keeping the school’s Warrior mascot and the accompanying image of a man wearing a feathered head dress by a 2,911 to 2,337 vote, according to the town’s unofficial results. The nonbinding ballot question had sharply divided the town of some 27,000 residents north of Boston. Some viewed the mascot as a source of pride while others deemed it racist and derogatory, The Boston Globe reported. Native American groups also urged the town to retire the mascot, as other Massachusetts communities have done.