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Denise Bates
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2020-03-31
Crow tribe puts up road-side checkpoints to curb travel to reservation
"BILLINGS — Officials with the Crow tribe set up five road-side safety checkpoints over the weekend to stop non-tribal members from fleeing the COVID-19 pandemic to stay on the Crow reservation, tribal officials said in a Facebook video Monday." -
2020-05-21
Western Native Voice establishes COVID-19 relief fund to support hardest hit native communities
"BILLINGS — The WNV COVID-19 Relief Fund has been established in a partnerships between Western Native Voice and We Are Montana to help respond to the urgent requests from Native leaders for resources to support their communities, protect elders, and ensure front line workers have the protection and supplies they need. " -
2020-05-21
American Indian Graduate Center distributes over $142,000 to Native students
" — American Indian Graduate Center has empowered 91 students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic through the Student Emergency Fund, which was established in March. The fund has granted $142,843 in direct assistance to Native students to date." -
05/15/2020
"Coronavirus in Indian Country: Tribal and Urban Organizations "
“In the fight against COVID-19, tribal nations face many of the same health, education, and economic public policy challenges as non-Native state and local governments. However, they are further hindered by an obstacle course of red tape and administrative misapplications from the federal government that prevents tribes from fully utilizing their sovereign authority and hamper their pandemic defense and recovery strategies. This is an area that some U.S. representatives feel deserves the full attention of Congress and the Administration. The House Natural Resources Committee Democrats hosted a virtual roundtable discussion in which members of The House of Representatives listened to leading experts from Indian Country about how federal relief support could be improved to provide tribes with the resources and flexibility they need to provide for their people.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-06
New Bill in Congress Aims to Expand Broadband Access for Tribes During Pandemic
“A new bill announced today by the co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus would give tribes emergency authority of broadband spectrum over their lands, in an effort to greatly increase internet access for tribal nations grappling with COVID-19 pandemic response. ‘Broadband has been an issue…in Indian Country, for a very long time,’ Haaland said in an interview with The NM Political Report. ‘The pandemic has pulled back the blanket and the sun is illuminating these disparities.’ She added that internet access should be viewed as a basic necessity, like home electricity.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-30
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Donates to Helping Hands
“The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas presented a donation to Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s Helping Hands program on April 29. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cecilia Flores presented the check to Sam Houston EC Chief Communications Officer Keith Stapleton. ‘The donation was made in honor of Jennifer Grubbs, and her service and dedication to our community,’ Flores said… ‘This donation is tremendously helpful, and will make an immediate impact for families in our area,’ Stapleton said. Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s Helping Hands Program provides funding to help members in distress pay their electric bills. ‘The Helping Hands Program is especially important when so many local families have been impacted by COVID-19 and the April 22 tornado,’ Stapleton said.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-08
Continuing to Keep the Villages Clean: Maya Communities Come Together
"Fahina is when the community comes together to care for their village. The story of resislience continues to live on among our people. Today during the delivery of food relief a village leader explained that his village competed their fahina. That is was done in teams of 10 persons at a time. That it took longer but as he said 'who else will take care of our village. We cannot allow the bush to grow over us because of this sickness.'" #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-13
Irish Donors Contribute to Navajo Nation Hit Hard By Covid-19: Repaying American Indians for Helping Them During the Potato Famine
“The Attorney General for the Navajo Nation has issued a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the outpouring of support from Irish people and people of Irish descent donating essential funds to Native American tribes affected by the coronavirus pandemic…Donations have been flooding with Irish people and people of Irish descent chief among those to show their support for the Native American reservations as a way of repaying a 173-year-old favour. It all goes back to 1847, when Ireland was gripped by 'the great hunger', and Native Americans were struggling to rebuild their lives after suffering through the Trail of Tears. Incredibly, despite their own suffering, the Choctaw Nation tribe raised and sent $170 (an estimated $5,000 today) to Ireland for relief aid, and a monument was erected in County Cork decades later as a mark of respect, gratitude and solidarity.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-05
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Asks Tribal Graduates of 2020 for Pictures for Casino Marquee, Honoring While Social Distancing
“Let us celebrate you! We want to display your picture on the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort marquee!” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-15
Blackfeet Tribe Offers Drive Throuth Testing
Blackfeet Covid-19 Incident Command Base offers tribal members some peace of mind with drive through testing using supplies offered by Montana Governor Bullock. #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-11
Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes: Covid-19 Testing for the Community
“The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board has determined that the rapid anti-body testing that was available to the Tribes did not provide the accuracy and reliability necessary to adequately serve the constituents of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Due to these issues, the schedule for Community COVID-19 testing by the Fort Peck Tribes will be rescheduled to the month of June.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-07
Potential Exposure in the Lower Sioux Indian Community of Minnesota
“The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota’s (“Community”) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received voluntary notification of a potential exposure risk in the Community this previous weekend. Those individuals that were potentially exposed were notified by Health and Human Services and are voluntarily self-isolating in their homes. As part of our community response model, these individuals will be receiving daily phone calls from the community health nurse to monitor for symptoms. Social Services representatives are calling every 3 days to ensure that basic needs are being met and to offer support.” #IndigenousStories -
05/14/2020
Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Forms COVID-19 Task Force to Ensure Financial Compliance with the CARES Act Funds
“The task force will ensure the Sault Tribe’s Coronavirus Relief Fund monies are spent in compliance with the CARES Act and the tribe’s priorities dealing with the ongoing pandemic. Sault Tribe received $37.2 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. According to the CARES Act language, tribes may use the money for "necessary" expenses caused by the public health emergency from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020. The Sault Tribe established a unified approach that prioritized paying team members and recouping any losses that have occurred.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-02
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Provides Grass Cutting Services to Elderly
"As of May 4, Facility Building staff are providing grass cutting services in each community to elderly, handicapped and disabled Tribal members." #IndigenousStories -
05/07/2020
Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Provides Community Updates
Sam McClellan updates the community on such things as upcoming events, such as a Day of Prayer and Mother’s Day. He also announces how no one in the tribe has been infected by COVID-19, but precautions are still being taken. #IndigenousStories -
2020-03-26
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Chairman Explains Hardship Caused by Closures
“Unlike state and local governments which predominately use tax dollars to operate, Native Sovereign Nations rely on revenue from business ventures to fund critical services and programs for their citizens including healthcare, housing, education, family services, financial support, elder care, police, courts and more. We have a 10-county service area and also provide medical care to other Native Americans that seek our services. Including our Four Winds Casino locations and Tribal Government, we one of the largest employers in Michiana employing over 3,000 people and we support hundreds of area and local businesses. Without revenue, we lose our ability to serve the individuals that rely on us for these important services as well as employment. Unfortunately, with our casinos closed indefinitely, we are forced to make some difficult decisions.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-03-13
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill Declares a State of Emergency
“I’m taking this action as a proactive measure to minimize exposure and to keep our citizens and community safe.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-08
"Save Lives Rather Than Save Face": Cheyenne River Sioux Chairman Refuses to Remove Reservation Checkpoints
South Dakota governor threatens tribe with legal action unless they remove reservation checkpoints. Cheyenne River Sioux chairman responded with a press release, citing that it is a sovereign right of the tribe to protect it's people and "We will not apologize for being an island of safety in a sea of uncertainty and death." -
2020-05-08
Phoenix Indian Center Collects Donations to Help the Navajo Nation
With the Navajo Nation in crisis, much needed supplies--from diapers to bottled water--are collected by urban Indian center and delivered to the reservation. -
2020-05-08
Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribe Plans to Reopen Casino on May 18
“With North Carolina starting to ease restrictions, Harrah’s has announced it too will begin with its first phase of reopening. In a press release, the company said that extensive health and safety precautions will be in place.” -
2020-05-07
New Mexico Delegation of Legislators and Tribal Leaders Introduce Tribal COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act
“Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, emergency work, including Direct Federal Assistance, is authorized at 75 percent federal funding, leaving Indian Tribal governments responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Maintaining this cost share during the COVID-19 pandemic – as Tribal economies and health systems struggle – places severe pressure on Tribal budgets and limits critical resources that are desperately needed to protect the public health of Native communities. The Tribal COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act would waive the cost-sharing requirement and grant 100 percent funding for all Indian Tribal governments.” -
2020-04-28
Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Pre-School Teacher Thinks Outside the Classroom
“Instead of being thrown by such an unorthodox teaching situation, Julissa Garcia and others at the school have gotten very creative. ‘One particular highlight was Soboba Spirit Week while quarantined,’ she said. ‘Each dress-up day was dedicated to the various people in our communities who are affected by COVID-19.” One of the first dress-up days was to honor the elders who had been struggling. “Julissa dressed up as an elder and made a video of circle time as Mrs. Doubtfire. She is such a team player.” -
2020-05-09
Gallup, New Mexico, Shuts People Out, Preventing Navajo Patrons From Getting Supplies
“The outbreak on the huge Navajo reservation, the nation's largest with 175,000 people, have made people in Gallup nervous. Many see hints of the long-running racism that has divided people in the town for centuries. ‘They targeted the people around here. They're going to be coming to Gallup to shop, so they put a stop to that,’ said Johnnie Henry, who said two of his relatives on the Navajo Nation were apparently infected with COVID-19 while working at a hospital in Gallup. ‘We kind of look at each other and say, are we the ones bringing it? No, it's all over. There's a lot of people who want to go back into Gallup, but they're afraid that they're going to call us names ... say that we are the carriers.’” -
2020-04-28
Hopi Tribe Announces 20 Positive Cases; Navajo Nation Mourns Loss of Former Miss Western Navajo Nation to COVID-19
“KUYI Hopi Public Radio reported that the Hopi Tribe held a digital town hall with Hopi Health Care and Indian Health Service officials where they said out of the 39 positive test results from Hopi Health Care Center, more than 20 were confirmed cases of Hopi Tribal members…As of April 27, the confirmed positive cases on the Navajo Nation reached 1,769. Fifty-nine people have died, one of whom was former Miss Western Navajo Nation 2015-2016 Valentina Blackhorse, who was from Kayenta, Arizona.” -
2020-05-01
Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC) Statement on Indigenous Peoples of Africa and COVID-19
“The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great danger to humanity, including the indigenous peoples of Africa. If the spread of the virus is not urgently arrested and is allowed to infect African indigenous communities, the virus may decimate our member communities. Africa’s Indigenous Peoples are extremely vulnerable to the dreaded virus, owing to a lack of essential resources such as clean water, food, housing, medical supplies and even basic information.” IPACC is a network of 135 Indigenous peoples' organizations in 21 African countries. -
2020-04-09
Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Offers Update on COVID-19
Explains the measures that have been taken to protect tribal citizens "from this deadly virus," including adjustments made to funeral services. "Let's choose faith over fear." -
2020-03-27
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Addresses Decision to Declare State of Emergency
Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts on the State of Emergency, COVID-19, and securing the Nation's long-term welfare. "We took these steps because it was the right thing to do." -
2020-05-06
California's United Indian Health Services Offers Antibody Testing for COVID-19
Lab expansion provides new opportunity to offer blood tests to both Native and non-Native patients with a 99.1% accuracy rate. -
2020-03-23
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Establishes Mass Communication System to Inform Tribal Citizens
“The emergency communications system is only one of the ways the Nation is informing its citizens. We are also using our Facebook page, news media and the website to keep everyone up to date.” -
2020-05-08
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Health Services Resume Business
“The Little River Health Service Center continues to maintain extreme cleanliness and sterilization throughout the clinic. The examination rooms and public spaces are maintained continuously throughout the day and evenings. We have implemented several devices to help filter and circulate the air space…Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during this unusual time. Please continue to stay healthy. We will be fine. This will resolve. During this time, remember your loved ones both current and past. Care for one another and give support where it’s needed. Be conscious of your personal hygiene and continue to eat well, sleep well, and be well everyone! Bless you all and continue to remain strong!” -
2020-04-07
Susanville Powwow Committee Exercises Caution and Reschedules for Last Week of May
“Out of an abundance of caution and the Stay at Home order issued by the Governor of California due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Susanville Indian Rancheria Powwow Committee has decided to tentatively reschedule the 2020 Powwow originally scheduled for May 29, 30, 31, 2020 in Susanville, California to August 21, 22, 23, 2020…We are hopeful that the Stay at home order is lifted by August and we can gather together to Honor our Elders and Veterans.” -
05/01/2020
Michigan Tribe Encourages Elders to Continue Exercising at Home By Loaning Out Equipment
"For any senior or diabetic Native Way user who would like to exercise at home during the COVID-19 closure, we have therabands and body bars along with instruction sheets that may be borrowed." #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-28
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Offers Advice on Self-Care During Pandemic
Finding balance between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health to remain healthy during the pandemic. -
2020-03-12
Help Is A Phone Call Away: Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Provide Shelter In Place Services
Indian Health Services offers prescription delivery and other services to elders and tribal members with special needs. -
01/05/2020
Ojibwa Senior Citizens' Nutrition Program Staff Keep Meals Going Out the Door Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
“With the doors closed at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens’ Building, on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Reservation in Baraga, Michigan, the delivery list got much larger. Dianne McMahon, Elderly Nutrition Director, said, ‘We now have an additional 100-plus deliveries since the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council closed the doors here at the Ojibwa Senior Center due to COVID-19. With this additional load of transporting meals to the homes of the Tribe’s elderly and disabled, we needed more help!’” -
2020-04-01
Hannahville Indian Community Extends Casino Closure
“Unfortunately, as the pandemic continues, it is apparent that the Casino will NOT OPEN in early April as initially planned. By order of the Tribal Council the Island Resort and Casino will remain closed until further notice…Our highest concern is to continue to provide services to our tribal membership and to continue processing payroll to all our employees.” -
2020-05-01
Bay Mills Indian Community Hosts Mental Health Power Hour
"We recognize that we are living in stressful times." Weekly Zoom meetings brings tribal citizens together during shelter in place order. Advertised topics: Stress, Youth Issues, and Adapting to Change. -
2020-04-24
Tolowa Dee-Ni' Nation Offers COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance
“Emergency Assistance is now available to assist Tribal Member families who have had a loss of income due to lay-off, reduced hours, or other reasons, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are having trouble paying their rent or mortgage. For eligible households, up to $750 is available to help pay your rent or mortgage for the month of May 2020.” -
2020-03-16
Bay Mills Indian Community Announces Changes to Enterprise Operations
Announcement on changes to tribal business operations during quarantine. “We recognize this will have an impact on our workers and this was a difficult decision,” said Bryan Newland, Bay Mills tribal chairman. “Despite the economic impact, we must consider the health of our employees and the public’s health during this time.” -
2020-03-23
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Announces Stimulus Program
“Pursuant to the Tribe’s March 17, 2020 State of Emergency Declaration and consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21: temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not required to sustain or protect life, the Tribal Council has taken steps to protect the health, safety and welfare of Tribal Members, employees and guests by establishing a critical infrastructure list of Tribal employees and modifying the critical infrastructure list for Casino employees, modifying business hours and closing all Tribal Government Buildings to the public. Tribal leadership will continue to work hard to meet the needs of each Tribal Member during these difficult times.” -
2020-04-07
California Tribe Suggests a CARES Act Funding Model to Better Serve the Smaller Tribes of the State
“Yocha Dehe respectfully submits Congress directed a different approach in the delivery of funding to tribal governments…A funding formula that rests on population and land base would leave out California tribes, which tend to be smaller with fewer federal land holdings, but whose economies are large, and which are now crushed by the pandemic…tribal economies have little to do with population and land size, and as the data confirms, California’s tribal economies are larger than those in any other state.” -
2020-04-29
Tribes Were Supposed To Get $8 Billion In COVID-19 Aid, but Received $0
"Tribal governments were supposed to get $8 billion in direct emergecy relief from the CARES Act, the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill that became law on March 27. More than a month later, they haven't gotten any of it." #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-29
Stand with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Amid Threats of Disestablishment
Following the March 27, 2020 decision by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, under the Trump Administration, to remove over 300 acres of Mashpee Wampanoag reservation lands from federal trust, Indigenous and non-Indigenous advocates helped launch a #StandWithMashpee campaign as the tribe also struggles to deal with battling the spread of the coronovirus. #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-30
Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne Shows Solidarity for Frontline Healthcare Workers During a Staged Procession
“During these difficult times, the community of Akwesasne has pulled together. There is a strong spirit of unity and perseverance in the people of Akwesasne and there is no denying that. The actions of our local first responders have lifted up the minds and hearts of not only our local healthcare workers, but also the elders and community members who are cared for daily by Akwesasne's finest.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-05-01
Coushatta Tribe Invites Tribal Members for U.S. Census Virtual Engagement Weekend
"It is being NAMED and KNOWN and COUNTED as all the citizens of this Nation" is the message that goes out to the community from the Coushatta Tribal office in a drive to encourage participation in the U.S. Census, which determines government funding and services for the next decade. #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-08
Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines: Particular Challenges In Facing COVID-19
“Indigenous Peoples are no strangers to disease and disaster. Through generations, Indigenous Peoples have established responses and coping mechanisms – grounded in traditional knowledge, customs and practices – to different circumstances affecting their communities. These are all founded on one fundamental principle: to ensure that the community survives. A common response across Indigenous communities is that of closing-off the community to all – this means no one can enter the community until deemed safe. Such community closures are done for different reasons. In the Cordillera, Philippines such practice is regularly observed during the agricultural cycle. Before or after the fields are ready for planting and harvesting, the community declares ubaya/tengaw which basically means everyone stays at home, no hard labor is to be done by anyone. This is a time for the community and the earth to rest and typically lasts a day or two.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-17
"As COVID-19 Starts in Nicaragua, Settler Violence Continues"
“The year 2020 has not begun favorably for the Indigenous Peoples on the Nicaraguan Caribbean coast. Amidst the impending coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, settler colonists (called colonos) violently attack Indigenous people and invade their rainforest lands. Ten Miskitu and Mayangna leaders and land defenders have been killed since early January.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-16
"Indigenous Peoples Turning to Traditional Knowledge On COVID-19 Response"
“Through online, webinars and social networking, Indigenous leaders are sharing traditional knowledge - and the latest biomedical and epidemiological information - to protect their communities from harm…Tribal communities all over the world are showing leadership in acting swiftly to protect their communities, even where some individual freedoms are curtailed.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-03-19
Indigenous People of Thailand Revive Traditional Practice of "Kroh Yee" (Village Closure) to Fight COVID-19
“Karen people in a number of highland communities begin to shut-down their villages one by one, not to allow entering nor getting out at all times. These village shut-downs were announced in conjunction with the revival of the ancient ritual called, “Kroh Yee” (or village closure). It was found that this ritual was used seventy years ago when there was an outbreak of cholera. Local knowledge holders believe that there would be enough food for annual consumption if a pandemic occurs and the village needs to be blockaded, but the town’s people may run away to the forest for their survival.” #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-30
Indigenous Health Professionals: COVID-19 Fireside Chat
Webinar discussion between Indigenous health professionals who are grounded in their cultures and share their views on how best to respond to the pandemic in Indigenous communities. #IndigenousStories *Participants from Canada, Australia and the United States.