OKLAHOMA CITY – The recent government shutdown has raised concerns among Native American tribes, who rely on federal funding for essential services. While tribes with independent revenue sources like casinos and oil leases anticipate weathering the storm, others more dependent on government support have already begun to feel the pinch.
A key concern is the potential for the Biden administration to use the shutdown as an opportunity to reduce the federal workforce responsible for upholding treaty obligations. These agreements, made long ago, guarantee the security, health, and education of tribal citizens in exchange for land concessions.
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada, for example, was forced to furlough employees and temporarily close its museum, cultural center, higher education department, and services for Native children in public schools. These actions, while difficult, were deemed necessary to ensure the continued operation of critical public safety services like police, EMS, and the food bank.
Across Indian Country, there’s unease that the government might use the shutdown to scale back federal programs that honor treaty rights. Some worry that certain programs could be misconstrued as wasteful spending or related to divisive ideologies, leading to their dismantling and leaving tribes without recourse.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) plays a crucial role in approving tribal projects and funding, but numerous regional offices have been closed. While federal employees protecting life and property are exempt from shutdowns, BIA law enforcement officers may face working without pay.
While the Indian Health Service will remain funded, the shutdown has already impacted agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Highway Administration, which administer vital programs for tribal housing and transportation.
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers has called for a halt to projects like oil and gas development that require tribal consultation, as the necessary federal employees are currently unavailable. This emphasizes the importance of respecting tribal input on projects that could affect their communities.
