Indigenous Leaders Warn Against Federal Funding Reductions
Amid looming federal budget cuts, Indigenous leaders from various tribes have voiced their concerns, highlighting the adverse effects such reductions could have on Native American communities. They emphasize the importance of maintaining funding for essential services such as health care, law enforcement, and infrastructure.
Over three days, more than 60 tribal leaders and organizations testified before a U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations subcommittee, stressing the crucial need for federal support in their communities.
“I know there’s never enough funding to go around,” said Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, acknowledging the subcommittee’s efforts to prioritize Indigenous funding needs. He warned that the administration’s approach to budget cuts, reminiscent of a “chainsaw approach,” could destabilize crucial services.
Impact on Essential Services
Gov. Lewis highlighted the fear within tribal communities following federal funding freezes and mass firings. He argued that indiscriminate cuts do not lead to efficiency or savings but rather create a “federal workforce that is paralyzed by fear.”
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier underlined that tribal programs are integral to treaty obligations and should not be treated as mere diversity initiatives. He urged the subcommittee to ensure these programs are protected from arbitrary reductions.
Infrastructure and Emergency Services Concerns
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren painted a stark picture of the challenges within Indian Country, from infrastructure decay to underfunded law enforcement. Highlighting the dire state of emergency medical services, he called for dedicated funding, including a $4 million allocation for the Navajo Nation.
San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler emphasized the severe underfunding of their police department, which struggles with manpower and resources, affecting public safety on their lands.
Tohono O’odham Vice Chairwoman Carla Johnson pointed out the poor condition of Bureau of Indian Affairs roads on her reservation, underscoring the need for increased funding to maintain these essential transportation routes.
Urban Indigenous Support
Addressing urban Indigenous populations, Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk stressed that the majority of Native Americans live in urban areas and require equal access to health and wellness resources. She called for robust support for the Indian Health Services and Urban Native Health Programs.
Legislative Actions and Concerns
A significant number of Democratic senators and representatives have expressed their concerns about the Trump administration’s executive order on government workforce efficiency. In a letter to key administration figures, they reminded them of the federal government’s obligations to tribal nations.
The letter, led by Rep. Melanie Stansbury and Sen. Martin Heinrich, highlighted the detrimental impact of recent federal workforce reductions on agencies serving tribal communities, urging the administration to exempt and reverse these actions for Indian Country.
“Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with a unique legal and political relationship to the United States,” the letter states, emphasizing the historical treaties and trust obligations that must be honored.
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