The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe(SRMT) could be facing a harsh reality like many tribal nations across the United States who receive federal funds.
As the Federal government reaches its third week of a ‘shutdown’, which began on December 22, 2018, the situation poses many challenges for U.S. Tribes, especially since most of the revenue for municipal services comes from one place: Washington, D.C.
In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, ”the SRMT says it has been closely monitoring the partial shutdown of the federal government, and is concerned about the duration. The shutdown negatively impacts the ability of the United States to fulfill their trust obligations to all Indian Nations across the Country. Akwesasne could also be affected by a prolonged shutdown of the federal government.”Â
SRMT says its operations will continue at 100% through Friday, February 15, 2019. In the event that the federal government’s shutdown continues beyond February 15th, the Tribe will have to reassess and determine future actions.
Temporary staff reductions, a freeze on travel, hiring, procurement, and the postponement of capital projects, among other considerations — may be a reality depending on how things unfold. However, until then, it will continue to make the provision of essential tribal programs and services, including the overall health and safety of the general public, an ongoing priority.
Akwesasne TV reached out to SRMT Communications for details on how a plan would be developed if the shutdown meant that the Tribe may have to dip into its reserve funds. Director of Communications, Brendan White, responded, “we don’t know what additional measures will be required until a full assessment of the shutdown’s impact on tribal programs is completed. We should know those decisions by January 22nd—though we hope the shutdown will be resolved before then.”
The Tribe expects congressional leaders and the current administration will work cooperatively to resolve the impasse and minimize the shutdown’s impact on tribal programs that receive majority of funding from federal grant awards.
Meantime, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the shutdown during a recent Oval Office address in which he continued to push for a wall along the Mexican border. Trump reportedly stormed out of a meeting on Wednesday with congressional Democrats who have refused the $5.7 billion dollars for a concrete barrier, calling it immoral. Trump called the meeting a “waste of time.â€
Democratic Representative Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to congress, and who was recently sworn in, — says the shutdown has had a direct effect on Native Americans’ lives. “I spoke with one tribal leader who said that they actually lost a tribal member because they were unable to plough the roads so that an emergency service vehicle could get to him in time,” Davids recently told National Public Radio (NPR).
Davids explained that federal funds that go to tribal communities for services such as ploughing roads and healthcare, have stopped due to the shutdown.
On January 2, the Smithsonian museum and National Zoo in Washington, DC, closed due to the shutdown. Some national parks have also closed or have limited services.
While the effect of the shutdown is not felt by most Americans, millions could be hit if the gap does not end by February.
Meantime in Akwesasne, the SRMT says it wants to ensure employees, and its tribal membership, which is a little over 16,000 enrolled, that they are working hard to help minimize any potential impact the shutdown may have on community members.
Tribal Council and senior staff continue to monitor the situation and will keep employees and the community informed of any specific impacts. An update and measures that are being considered will be shared with membership at the Monthly Tribal Meeting on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
By: Regan Jacobs, Executive Producer/Director — Akwesasne TV
