Tribes sue over distribution of coronavirus relief funding

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By FELICIA FONSECA

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Several Native American tribes sued the federal government Friday, seeking to keep any of the $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief for tribes kept out of the hands of for-profit Alaska Native corporations.

The U.S. Treasury Department is tasked with doling out the money by April 26 to help tribes nationwide stay afloat, respond to the virus and recover after having to shut down casinos, tourism operations and other businesses that serve as their main moneymakers.

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in Maine, and the Akiak Native Community, Asa’carsarmiut Tribe and Aleut Community of St. Paul Island in Alaska filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Treasury Department, named as the defendant, did not immediately return an email seeking comment.



FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2020, file photo, George Chakuchin, left, and Mick Chakuchin walk on ice over the Bering Sea in Toksook Bay, Alaska, a mostly Yuip'ik village. Native American leaders are raising questions about how $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief tagged for tribes will be distributed, with some arguing that for-profit Alaska Native corporations shouldn't get a share of the funding. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/0227910d4339a262b5c0227ee0a5c157

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R

Shameful! 🤬

[scarletwoman]

2. Kick - thank you for posting this. (nt)

[Igel]

3. Interesting.

Wiki's apparently good for this.

ProPublica wrote, concerning a different mini-controversy, https://www.propublica.org/article/what-are-alaska-native-corporations .

Funding shouldn't be distributed on a per capita or per acre or per tribe/institution basis, but on the basis of the purpose of the monies. A tribe that's hard hit should get more, a tribe that's barely affected should get little.

This may not be fair--a poor tribe may be barely hit, while a tribe with a strong casino-based economy might have lost more money but still have a higher standard of living. But if the law is to make whole (or attempt to make whole) those hurt, then that's how it goes. "Justice" isn't just "what I think is right based on who I feel sorry for or who I think's already had too much" but also "according to the laws".

Esp. since a number of sources point out that the corporations don't necessarily turn much money over to their share holders. And I'm not sure how much the indigenous peoples up there have been directly affected by SARS-CoV-2.

[GusBob]

5. Thanks for the link

According to worldofmeters, the entire state of Alaska has 309 cases, 9 deaths
compare that to the Navahoe numbers mentioned

The North slope villages are remote and isolated, but the only way to get around is by air. If it got into a remote village it could wipe it out. Like smallpox. The access to health care would be a big factor

Natives are at risk because of risks factors and immunity issues. Also crowded living condition and lack of water

[GusBob]

4. I worked for an ANC for awhile

Actually for the one mentioned in the article. The tribe in also mentioned. This was in Barrow

It was insanely lucrative. Folks up there were raking in cash as contractors

As an example, I work for a much smaller tribe now
and my pay rate before the virus was half of what I was getting in AK

It has since been cut to 1/3 the usual. I dont mind at least I have some income

But this tribe is hurting, big time