The recent halt in federal funding has prompted tribal organizations to seek assurances that new executive orders will not negatively impact essential programs and services within their communities.
Matthew Campbell from the Native American Rights Fund emphasized the historical context, noting that forced assimilation and the expropriation of tribal lands have led to a distinctive relationship between tribal nations and the U.S. government.
“There are many treaties that require the United States to provide these types of things,” said Campbell. “And so given this history and the unique obligation that the United States has to tribal nations, we’re very concerned that the United States was not providing for and honoring those obligations.”
Campbell highlighted that federal funding supports various critical services, including hospitals, schools, and law enforcement.
Despite assurances that sovereign entities would remain unaffected, Campbell observed discrepancies between official statements and the actual situation on the ground. “There was a difference in terms of what they wrote down, and what they wanted to happen, and what was actually happening on the ground,” he remarked.
The funding pause disrupted several programs, leading to ongoing confusion. Campbell described the initial freeze as comprehensive, affecting law enforcement, healthcare, education, and more.
This week’s correspondence serves as a reminder to the U.S. government to engage in consultations with tribal governments before enacting measures that could have detrimental effects.
“It goes back really to the founding of the nation, right?” Campbell commented. “Tribal nations are sovereign governments that have a political relationship with the United States.”
Campbell reiterated that the sovereign status of tribal nations is a long-standing recognition, underscoring the importance of consulting tribal governments on matters that may impact them.
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