JUNEAU, AK (October 7, 2022) – The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) has received notice from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that proposed amendments to the Tribe’s Public Law (PL) 102-477 five-year plan have been approved.
The amendments will allow Tlingit & Haida to use its Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funding to sponsor specific events at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall in Juneau, Alaska. These events include hot meals for tribal citizen Elders in addition to funerals, Forty Day Parties, and Ku.éex’ for tribal citizens who are income eligible.
“The PL 102-477 is really proving to be a great tool that gives us the flexibility to better serve our people and more efficiently deliver services,” shared President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. “This amendment not only expands our support services to our Elders in Juneau, but gives us the ability to dedicate our Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as a space for cultural events and to tribal citizens in their greatest time of need.”
The CSBG funding included in the Tribe’s PL 102-477 plan aims to support a wide variety of activities that assist families and individuals who are low-income or experiencing homelessness in Juneau. The funds are managed by Business & Economic Development Director Janice Hotch.
“We are so very pleased the BIA has approved our amendments to the CSBG," shared Hotch. "This program is intended to assist tribal citizens to become job-ready and alleviate the causes of poverty. By adding this particular program to support tribal citizens for a funeral, Forty Day Party or Ku.éex’ and provide the use of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall at no cost, we are able to honor our tribal value of holding each other up. In a time when funeral costs are rising and becoming a barrier for our people to put their family members to rest, Tlingit & Haida is honored to be able to roll out this new program.”
In the coming months, Tlingit & Haida’s Business & Economic Development department will develop the application process and eligibility requirements to offer the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall to tribal citizens who are looking for venue space for funerals and traditional events. An announcement will be made once the new program has launched.
In 2017, Congress passed the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act, which made the PL 102-477 demonstration project permanent. Under this law, tribes and Alaska Native entities can integrate federal funding for employment, education and training-related services into a single plan, program and budget which improves efficiency in services and allows more program dollars to go directly into support services. Tlingit & Haida’s PL 102-477 plan consolidates several federal funding sources.
