In brief
As the government shutdown continues, tribal nations across the U.S. are bracing for negative impacts on crucial services such as health care, education, and infrastructure. Tribes with revenue sources like casinos may weather the storm, but those reliant on federal funding are already furloughing staff and closing essential services. Concerns grow over the loss of federal workers and the disruption of treaty responsibilities.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Native Americans watched the shuttered government and braced for damage to health care, education, infrastructure and other services funded by Washington under treaties struck more than a century ago.
Tribal nations with casinos, oil and gas leases and other independent revenue sources said they expect to sustain operations for several months. Tribes more dependent on government money were already furloughing workers.
Many tribal leaders feared that the Trump administration might use the shutdown to lay off essential federal workers responsible for upholding treaty and trust responsibilities, which were established in exchange for tribal lands.
Shuttered Museums and Services
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada has already furloughed at least 25 employees and closed its museum and cultural center, higher education department, and services for Native children. Although these closures are temporary, more could follow if the shutdown persists.
Chairman Steven Wadsworth emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety services but expressed concern over potential further departmental limitations as the shutdown continues.
Layoffs Concerns
As uncertainty looms, people across Indian Country fear that the Trump administration could exploit the shutdown to terminate federal positions ensuring treaty rights. Concerns have been raised about the lack of understanding regarding trust responsibilities within federal management.
Liz Carr, once an adviser in the Office of Management and Budget, noted that the current administration has left that essential position unfilled. She warned that tribal programs might be seen as wasteful and dismantled, leaving tribals without support.
The tribal nations depend on the Bureau of Indian Affairs for key approvals on projects like road construction and law enforcement funding. However, many BIA offices have closed, prompting worries about unpaid federal law enforcement personnel.
Damaged Trust
While the Indian Health Service remains operational, hundreds of tribal health centers could be affected as many operations depend on federal funding. Other agencies critical to tribal support have already closed, affecting programs vital for housing and transportation.
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers calls for a halt to initiatives impacting tribal communities until agencies can fully staff, reflecting the essential legal requirement to consult tribes on projects affecting them.
