American Rescue Plan Act will benefit Indian Country, CSKT | News

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act has infused substantial resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger and more equitable economy as the country recovers and is a blessing to Indian Country.

We have the opportunity to address health disparities and the social determinants of health; build stronger neighborhoods and communities; address educational disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 and promote healthy childhood environments, as well as address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency; and invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. 

ARP allocated $20 billion to Tribal governments, directing that 1) $1 billion is to be allocated equally among eligible Tribal governments; and 2) $19 billion is to be allocated to Tribal governments in a manner determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Treasury’s allocation methodology is as follows:

• Of the $19 billion, 65 percent of these funds, or $12.35 billion will be distributed based on pro rata, self-certified Tribal enrollment. CSKT confirmed our enrollment data May 13, 2021. 
• Treasury will distribute the remaining 35 percent of these funds, or $6.65 billion, based on pro rata, self-certified Tribal employment data. The deadline to submit for this second tranche is June 7, 2021.

The Interim Final Rule (IFR) for the program describes eligible uses of funding. A CSKT team is reviewing the 150+ page document and will provide a summary to Council on May 24. Council has scheduled a planning session that week to determine priorities.

These funds represent an unprecedented investment in Indian Country. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp testified on tribal political equity within the Department of Treasury on March 4, 2020, before the House Ways and Means Committee’s first tribal hearing in 20 years. Nine days later a national emergency was declared. Four days later, NCAI and tribal organization partners sent a letter requesting $20 billion in aid for tribal governments in a new Treasury fund due to the projected effects of tribal business closures converting the concept of parity into payment.

Based on direction and resolutions from the NCAI Board, staff worked with tribal advocates daily for a year to build support for the $20 billion ask. The effort strengthened as the Board and NCAI COVID-19 Task Force engaged more tribal leaders. These leaders maintained a unified ask of their legislators. According to Fatima Abbas, NCAI’s outgoing Vice President of Government Relations, “This crisis has shown what tribally driven advocacy can achieve when combined with inter-tribal and inter-organization unity and prioritization of team work internally amongst NCAI staff. With the CARES Act, Consolidation Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act, Indian County in 12 months collectively compelled over $43 billion in tribal specific aid.” Fatima is departing NCAI to join the U.S. Department of Treasury as Senior Advisor in their new Office of Recovery Programs to support the implementation of the recovery funds, so Indian Country is assured of a strong ally.

The deadline for spending these monies is December 2023, unlike the CARES Act which had a much shorter timeframe.

Please watch for updates as we move forward.