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Advocates from Tribal Communities Find Potential in the 'Historic' Stimulus Package

Federal Aid from the American Rescue Plan provides over $31 billion to indigenous governments, allowing them to allocate resources towards climate resilience projects.

,   and  Administrator
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Advocates from the tribal community view the recently proposed stimulus plan as a significant...
Advocates from the tribal community view the recently proposed stimulus plan as a significant opportunity

Advocates from Tribal Communities Find Potential in the 'Historic' Stimulus Package

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) marks a significant milestone by allocating over $31 billion to tribal communities, marking the largest investment in tribal communities in U.S. history. This funding can be utilised to invest in clean energy, water infrastructure, language preservation, and other essential services for Indigenous communities.

The pandemic has posed a threat to tribal language preservation, with tribal elders, who are the best equipped to share knowledge and language, being especially vulnerable to COVID-19. The ARP funds can be instrumental in putting into motion projects such as access to water infrastructure and internet connectivity, which are crucial during these challenging times.

The ARP allocates $20 million specifically towards language preservation, recognising its importance in maintaining cultural continuity. Investing in public broadcasting and communication services, often funded federally, is crucial for language preservation efforts in Native communities. Loss of such funding, like cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, threatens these initiatives, indicating that ARP funds can be critical to sustaining them.

Investing in water infrastructure is another key area where ARP funds can make a significant impact. Improvements to water and sewer systems are vital for health and sustainability in tribal areas. The urgent need for water infrastructure on the Navajo Nation, as emphasised by Nicole Horseherder, the executive director of Tó Nizhóní Áni, underscores this need.

Clean energy is another financial opportunity for tribal nations, as highlighted in a recent report. The ARP funds can help tribal nations implement plans to respond to and adapt to the climate crisis through economic development pathways. The Navajo Nation is exploring a partnership with Los Angeles to supply the city clean energy, following the closure of the Navajo Generating Station.

Six tribes in the midwest have formed the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority to investigate the potential for a wind project that would generate up to 60 gigawatts of power on tribal lands. This project, and others like it, can be funded through ARP funds.

While the precise breakdown of ARP tribal allocations for clean energy or language preservation initiatives is not detailed in the cited documents, federal appropriations and tribal budget formulation groups have emphasised increasing funding for Indian Health Service and tribal leasing, which indirectly supports community infrastructure and services.

The ARP funds should be released no later than May 10, per the bill's text. These funds are intended for recovery rather than response, as stated by Ducheneaux of the Native Governance Center. However, it is important to note that the ARP does not explicitly recognise that tribal needs have evolved over time since the pandemic started and are likely to continue to evolve.

The passage of the American Rescue Plan is considered "huge" and "historic" by tribal advocates and leaders. The flexibility of the ARP's funds, a welcome change from the CARES Act, allows for a combined approach to investing in physical infrastructure and cultural resources crucial for Indigenous climate adaptation. This investment will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the resilience and sustainability of Indigenous communities.

  1. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) marks a noteworthy advancement, allocating over $31 billion to tribal communities, marking the largest investment in tribal communities in U.S. history.
  2. This funding can be employed to invest in clean energy, water infrastructure, language preservation, and various essential services for Indigenous communities.
  3. The pandemic has posed a threat to tribal language preservation, with tribal elders, the best repository of knowledge and language, being especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
  4. The ARP funds can be pivotal in initiating projects like access to water infrastructure and internet connectivity, essential during these trying times.
  5. The ARP allocates $20 million specifically towards language preservation, acknowledging its importance in maintaining cultural continuity.
  6. Investing in public broadcasting and communication services, often funded federally, is paramount for language preservation efforts in Native communities.
  7. Loss of such funding, like cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, poses a threat to these initiatives, indicating that ARP funds could be indispensable to sustaining them.
  8. Investing in water infrastructure is another key area where ARP funds can make a significant impact.
  9. Improvements to water and sewer systems are essential for health and sustainability in tribal areas.
  10. The urgent need for water infrastructure on the Navajo Nation, as emphasised by Nicole Horseherder, underscores this need.
  11. Clean energy is another financial opportunity for tribal nations, as highlighted in a recent report.
  12. The ARP funds can assist tribal nations in implementing plans to respond to and adapt to the climate crisis through economic development pathways.
  13. The Navajo Nation is exploring a partnership with Los Angeles to supply the city clean energy, following the closure of the Navajo Generating Station.
  14. Six tribes in the midwest have formed the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority to scrutinize the potential for a wind project that could generate up to 60 gigawatts of power on tribal lands.
  15. This project, and others like it, can be funded through ARP funds.
  16. While the specific breakdown of ARP tribal allocations for clean energy or language preservation initiatives is not detailed in the cited documents, there's an emphasized need to increase funding for Indian Health Service and tribal leasing, which indirectly supports community infrastructure and services.
  17. The ARP funds should be released no later than May 10, per the bill's text.
  18. These funds are intended for recovery rather than response, as stated by Ducheneaux of the Native Governance Center.
  19. However, it is important to note that the ARP does not explicitly recognize that tribal needs have evolved over time since the pandemic started and are likely to continue to evolve.
  20. The passage of the American Rescue Plan is considered "huge" and "historic" by tribal advocates and leaders.
  21. The flexibility of the ARP's funds, a welcome change from the CARES Act, allows for a combined approach to investing in physical infrastructure and cultural resources crucial for Indigenous climate adaptation.
  22. This investment will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the resilience and sustainability of Indigenous communities.
  23. The magazine recently published an article discussing the American Rescue Plan's implications on tribal communities.
  24. Moreover, the newsletter featured a piece on the role of clean energy and its potential for economic growth in tribal areas.

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