The Treasury Department has extended the deadline for submission of Tribal Employment and Expenditure Information to noon EST on Friday, May 29, 2020 by federally recognized tribes. This information is used to determine the second distribution of the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
The Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), and the Indian Health Service (IHS) Navajo Area Office reported that a total of more than $700 million is needed to address the widespread lack of water and electricity access across the Navajo Nation.
Several tribal organizations in Alaska are receiving part of $15 million the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is distributing to assist tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations, and other tribal health providers in preventing and responding to COVID-19.
Three leaders from Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Department of Consumer Protection visited Foxwoods Resort Casino to view preparations made in advance of the casino’s re-opening on Monday. Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, took the visit as a positive sign in the tribe’s nearly 30-year relationship with Connecticut.
The Chumash Casino Resort in California will reopen its doors at noon on Wednesday, June 10 with strict safety measures and cleaning procedures in place after being closed for nearly 13 weeks in a statewide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Jason Derulo has come under fire for sampling rising New Zealand musician Joshua Stylah’s “Laxed (Siren Beat)” without gaining proper clearance. Derulo used the “Laxed” melody for a new song titled “Savage Love,” sending the tune out to his 20 million-plus TikTok followers, and only gave Stylah credit after fans expressed their outrage.
Larry Mullen, Jr., drummer for the Irish rock band U2, donated $100,000 to the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Keep reading for a full news update.
CARES Act:
Treasury Department Extends Deadline To Submit CARES Act Fund Information
Native News Online, May 28
The U.S. Department of Treasury has extended the deadline for submission of Tribal Employment and Expenditure Information to 12 noon – EDT on Friday, May 29, 2020 by federally recognized tribes. This information is needed to determine the second distribution of the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
COVID-19:
Navajo Nation Reports 1,620 COVID-19 Recoveries As Cases Approach 5,000
Native News Online, Levi Rickert, May 28
The Navajo Nation reported 1,620 of its tribal citizens have recovered from COVID-19, as the total cases nears 5,000. On Wednesday evening, the Navajo Nation reported another 102 new cases of COVID-19 reached 4,944. The total number of deaths has reached 159 from the deadly virus as of Wednesday.
U2 Drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. Donates $100,000 To Native American Relief Fund
Native News Online, Rich Tupica, May 28
U2 might be best known for churning out massive hits like “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “With or Without You” and “Beautiful Day,” but this week one of its founding members was focused on helping people.
Indigenous Environmental Network
Indianz.com, May 28
Indigenous Environmental Network Has Supplied Over 38,000 Masks Through the Protecting the Peoples Emergency Partnership Fund to Help Supply Indian Country with Personal Protection Equipment.
Oklahoma Agency OKs Saturday Classes In Case Of A 2nd Surge
Indian Country Today, Ken Miller, May 28
Four Oklahoma tribes are being awarded a total of nearly $1.2 million to combat the coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration on Thursday announced the awards.
‘Am I Cutting Out Again?’: Missing And Murdered Task Force Off To Shaky Start Amid COVID-19 Challenges
Indianz.com, Acee Agoyo, May 28
The Trump administration’s missing and murdered task force got off to a rocky start in the age of COVID-19, leaving a number of Native women silenced amid technical and logistical challenges. Despite the presence of a high-profile speaker — Kellyanne Conway, a prominent senior aide to President Donald Trump — tribal leaders and advocates had a difficult time being heard by Operation Lady Justice on Wednesday. Even some federal officials were stuck on mute during the task force’s first listening session in months.
$2.4 million going to Alaska tribes to support COVID-19 response
KTVA, Victoria Petersen, May 28
Nine organizations in Alaska are receiving part of $15 million the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded to assist tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations and other tribal health providers in preventing and responding to COVID-19.
Tribal Leaders Share Relief Funding Challenges
Indian Country Today, Dalton Walker, May 27
Tribes across the U.S. face varying challenges when it comes to their coronavirus relief funding, but they largely agree on one thing: The federal government has a big disconnect in its relations with their governments.
Casinos:
Tribal Chairman Holds To June 1 Foxwoods Opening: ‘This Is My Family Going To Work Here.’
CTPost.com, Ken Dixon, May 28
Three of Gov. Ned Lamont’s top agency leaders on Wednesday got first-hand looks at the preparations for a partial reopening at Foxwoods Resort Casino on June 1. While the trio of commissioners was non-committal toward the early reopening and declined comment, Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, took the visit as a positive sign in the tribe’s nearly 30-year relationship with Connecticut.
Chumash Casino Resort To Reopen June 10 With Enhanced Safety Measures And Procedures
Indianz.com, May 27
The Chumash Casino Resort will reopen its doors at noon on Wednesday, June 10 with strict safety measures and cleaning procedures in place after being closed for nearly 13 weeks in a statewide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Other:
Navajo Nation Clean Water Infrastructure Needs Exceed $700 Million
Indianz.com, May 28
The Naabik’íyáti’ Committee of the 24th Navajo Nation Council heard from programs and utilities Friday, May 22 on the water infrastructure aimed at providing clean, piped water to the Navajo People. The Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) Navajo Area Office reported together to the 24-member Committee that a total of more than $700 million is needed to address the widespread lack of water and electricity access across the Navajo Nation.
NCAI To Launch 2020 Native Vote Efforts With Star-Studded Virtual Rally
Indianz.com, May 28
On Thursday, May 28th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. EDT, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp and DJ Emcee One will co-host the Native Vote Taking Action in 2020 Virtual Rally. This event will serve as the official kick-off for NCAI’s Native Vote initiative for 2020 and will stream live online via NCAI’s Facebook and YouTube channels to launch voter engagement in one of the most important years for civic engagement in Indian Country.
MMIW: Red Symbolizes A Call For Attention
Indianz.com, StrongHearts Native Helpline, May 28
May 5 has been commemorated as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Across the nation, we are called upon to wear red to acknowledge thousands of young women and girls who go missing each year without so much as a search party. Topping a long list of reasons why law enforcement officials are unable to respond in a timely manner are being underfunded, short-staffed, and jurisdictional issues between Native and non-Native judicial systems.
Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors Group Letter To Minneapolis Police Regarding George Floyd [Press Release]
Indian Country Today, May 27
To All Our Relations —
This letter has been written on behalf of the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors Group (MUID) – a collaborative of some thirty American Indian organizations operating within the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota (please see the attached organizational listing). The purpose of this communication is to state our collective response to the tragic death of George Floyd on Monday, May 25th, 2020.
Jason Derulo Sparks Outrage Down Under for Lifting Polynesian Teen’s TikTok Hit
Variety, Leena Tailor and Shirley Halperin, May 19
Jason Derulo has come under fire for sampling a piece of music by rising New Zealand musician Joshua Stylah (aka Jawsh 685), whose “Laxed (Siren Beat)” has become TikTok’s most explosive viral track — to the tune of over 750,000 TikToks a day and more than 43 million total views as of this writing — without giving proper credit or gaining official clearance.