Native leaders call on Senate committee to fulfill trust responsibilities
Kalle BenallieICT
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing Wednesday to hear from leaders of Indigenous organizations about issues that are the most important to them so the committee can decide what Native policy issues to prioritize.
Newly installed Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski began the hearing by addressing how the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget directives have affected federal funding for tribes and tribal programs. She said she has spoken to the new administration and the president's nominees.
'We've sent a letter to OMB urging them to acknowledge that tribes have a unique political status and to clarify across the federal government that as the administration carries out its initiatives, it does so in a way that respects this unique political status and the federal government's responsibility to Native people,' Murkowski said.
Mark Macarro, president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians, said federal funding should continue to be allocated for tribes and tribal programs, including for Indian Health Services' staffing and public safety and justice programs.
'Reduction to an already short-staffed health care provider does not honor the legal and political obligations made to tribal nations, it puts lives at risk, ' Macarro said. 'We thank Congress for its recent steps to strengthen its treaty and trust obligations through its continued support of IHS advanced appropriations. However, reducing healthcare professionals that serve our citizens and communities is a step in the wrong direction.'
Macarro urged the passing of HR741 to elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health.
William Smith, chairperson and Alaska area representative of the National Indian Health Board, told the committee that Congress needs to fund Indian Health services and honor federal responsibilities of Native healthcare if Medicare should be reformed.
Smith, Valdez Native Tribe, said it is important for Congress to strengthen tribal behavioral health programs, traditional healing services, and maternal and infant services.
'We stand ready to work with this committee on this endeavor. In conclusion, the federal government made promises in the tribal treaties to provide for, among other things, healthcare of tribal citizens,' Smith said.
Rodney Butler, board president of the Native American Financial Officers Association and chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, told the committee that tribal governments need to be considered as states for key tax purposes and Congress should address tribal tax parity legislation, providing tribal governments full parity with state and local governments in accessing tax-exempt bond financing.
He also stressed the need for creation of an annual $175 million in new market tax credits for low-income tribal communities.
'It is important to mention that tribally owned entities under the umbrella of the tribal government are critical to create jobs and to supplement funding for tribal programs that are underfunded in the federal government, ' Butler said.
Butler said the Treasury Department's Office of Tribal and Native Affairs should be made permanent and the Tribal Treasury Advisory Committee also should be continued.
'These entities are essential partners for tribal governments and their business entities. They allow for efficient and effective consultation and communication and ensuring that tribes can access tax incentives and economic development tools, " Butler said.
Kerry Bird, board president of the National Indian Education Association, told the committee that Congress needs to affirm the political status of Native students, provide consistent and adequate funding, expand tribal self-governance in education, provide culturally relevant early childhood education programs and to improve Bureau of Indian Education facilities.
'Members of the committee, the stakes are high. By supporting Native education, you're not only investing in the future of our youth but also strengthening the resilience and sovereignty of tribal nations and ultimately the success of the United States,' said Bird, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Lumbee.
Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, said Congress needs to include Native Hawaiians in programs like the Office of Indian Energy and should also increase the funding of the American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act for Native Hawaiians to remain on their homelands. He also stressed the importance of Native Hawaiian education funds.
'What we're asking for is for the continued recognition and support of our Native Hawaiian people and Hawaii, and we'll do our part to continue to support our people,' Lewis said.
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