|
|
Navajo Nation Washington Office
Wááshindoon Weekly
| |
Executive Director's Corner | |
|
Yá’át’ééh
This week the U.S. Senate took action to address concerns raised by Urban Indian Organizations. In addition, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs confirmed Roselyn Tso to serve as the next Director of Indian Health Services. Tso’s confirmation now moves to the full senate for consideration.
The Library of Congress announced a new Poet Laureate of the United States. We thank the outgoing poet, Joy Harjo of the Muskoke Nation. Over the past three years she traveled across the country and inspired millions of people with her poetry.
Lastly, A U.S. District Judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought on by a tribe in North Dakota. We will continue to monitor legislations, court cases and share updates.
Enjoy this week's Wááshindoon Weekly!
Ahéhee'
Lashawna R. Tso
| | |
U.S. Senate Takes Action to Address Indian Health Concerns of Urban Indian Organizations | Tribes have engaged in government-to-government relationships since the early founding of the Nation. Treaties were established by the U.S. government acknowledging Native people as independent nations. Although often times broken, treaties defined mutual obligations between the United States and Indian nations. Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress | | |
|
U.S. Senators Tina Smith (MN-D) and James Lankford (OK-R) recently introduced a bipartisan bill known as S.4323 – Urban Indian Health Confer Act. This bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to engage with Urban Indian Organizations in Tribal consultation to improve the health and wellness of urban Native Americans. Currently, only the Indian Health Service (IHS) is required to engage in Tribal consultation which limits urban Indian organizations to engage in dialogue with senior government leaders.
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN)around the nation can receive government health care from the IHS, which is an agency within HHS. Tribal Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations, as well as medical, dental, and specialist care, are added to that care for the greater than 70% of Native Americans who don't reside on or close to a reservation.
The bill has received some support from members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) stating the legislation would facilitate “the open and free exchange of information and opinions between federal agencies and urban Indian organizations.” The bill currently sits with the SCIA.
Tribal consultation is an improved method of communication that places an emphasis on shared responsibility, trust, and respect. It is an open and unrestricted discussion between the parties that results in comprehension and understanding of one another. In order to create and sustain a strong government-to-government relationship, ongoing communication and engagement must take place to provide Tribes the chance to offer valuable and timely feedback on matters that could have a significant and direct impact on AI/AN.
As stated in the U.S. Constitution, treaties, legislation, Executive Orders, administrative rules and regulations, and legal rulings, meaningful consultation is crucial when creating any policies that affect tribal nations. To advance tribal self-determination and prosperity, it is essential to uphold these connections and respect the tribal sovereignty of tribal nations.
The Navajo Nation Washington Office will work with our congressional delegation on S. 432.
| | |
|
ND Lawsuit Claiming Redistricting Hurts Natives Allowed to Move Foward
| | |
Special Session of the North Dakota House of Representatives. Photo courtesy of North Dakota Legislative Assembly. | |
Last week, in North Dakota U.S District Judge Peter D. Welte denied the states motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought on by the Turtle Band of Chippewa Indians, alleging that a new legislative map based on the 2020 Census was drawn in such a way as to dilute the Native American vote.
The case, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Jaeger, was brought by two American Indian tribes and several individuals, arguing that the new legislative boundaries has reduced the ability of Native American voters to select the candidates of their choice in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The state responded that the tribes lack a standing to represent their members in this case, but Judge Welte dismissed this argument and has allowed the case to proceed.
North Dakota is divided into 47 senatorial districts, each of which elects one senator and two representatives to serve in the state Legislative Assembly. The North Dakota constitution allows the legislature to split a senatorial district into subdistricts for the purpose of electing representatives to represent smaller communities, rather than the whole district at large. The redistricting based on the 2020 Census does this exactly twice, in District 4, which includes the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation, and in District 9, which includes the Turtle Mountain Reservation. The effect of these splits creates two districts that are majority Native American and two districts that are majority white. Notably, they did not split District 15, which includes the Spirit Lake Reservation, leaving the entire district as majority white with a sizable Native American minority. The plaintiffs argue that dividing up the tribal lands in this way guarantees that there will only be two members of the state legislature that truly represent Native interests. The complaint further explains that Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations were combined into a single senatorial district, not only would they get an additional representative in the state House that was responsive to the Native community, but they would also get a member of the state Senate.
The U.S. Supreme Court has previously identified three factors (called the Gingles preconditions) to determine whether a state has diluted the voting power of a racial minority under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act: (1) the minority group must be “sufficiently large and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a single-member district”; (2) the minority group must be “politically cohesive”; and (3) the majority must vote “sufficiently as a bloc to enable it . . . usually to defeat the minority’s preferred candidate” (Thornburg v. Gingles 478 U.S. at 50-51). The tribes argue that Native Americans in the two districts that include the Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake reservations consistently vote for Democrats, but their preferred candidates will not get elected because the other residents of the district consistently vote for Republicans. They also argued that despite being 100 miles away from each other, a district combining both reservations would have a sufficient population to be a district and be smaller geographically than other districts in the state. Though there appears to be sufficient evidence to show vote dilution, courts rarely draw lines themselves, so even if the plaintiffs are successful the court will likely send the map back to the legislature so they can draw a new map that is less diluting.
According to the Brennan Center, as of July 1, 2022 there have been 72 cases filed challenging new maps drawn as part of the 2020 Census redistricting in 26 states, claiming either racial or partisan gerrymandering. Among these was a second lawsuit filed in North Dakota, Walen v. Burgum, which claims that splitting Districts 4 and 9 into subdistricts was explicit racial gerrymandering and doing so denies the citizens of those districts the right to two at-large members of the state House of Representatives as is enjoyed by all other citizens of North Dakota. The plaintiffs in this case are the Republican leaders of the GOP district parties, who presumably would secure additional Republican representation if the districts voted for their representatives at-large rather than by subdistrict. A three-judge panel has already refused to block the new maps based on this petition, but the plaintiffs have appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Neither lawsuit will likely be resolved before the 2022 midterm elections in November, as the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled on a similar case in Alabama that changing the maps too closely to the election is itself a violation of the democratic process. The Court is expected to take up the Alabama case in the next term after the election.
| | |
|
NNWO Thanks Harjo for Her Work as
U.S. Poet Laureate
| Poet Laureate of the United States Joy Harjo, June 6, 2019. Harjo was the first Native American to serve as poet laureate and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress. | |
On Tuesday, the Library of Congress announced that the new Poet Laureate of the United States will be Ada Limón. While we welcome Ms. Limón and wish her the best, we would like to take a moment to say goodbye to our outgoing Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo (Mvskoke).
Ms. Harjo was named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2019 and served as the first Native American in that position since its creation. Harjo is known for mixing music with her poetry. She has released seven music albums in which she plays the flute and saxophone to accompany the spoken word of her poetry. At her readings, she is careful to acknowledge those that came before that she credits for inspiring her poetry, whether it is her own Mvskoke heritage, Navajo horse songs she heard as a student in New Mexico, or members of the Beatnik Generation like Allen Ginsberg. She believes each poem has multiple lineages, and while each is new and original, its existence honors those that came before.
The position of Poet Laureate was originally established in 1937 under the title of “Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress”. The title was changed to “Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry” in 1986, and the holder of the title has colloquially been known as the U.S. Poet Laureate ever since. The role was originally focused more closely on developing the poetry collection at the Library of Congress, but over the years the role has become more on outreach, with the Poet Laureate serving as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Government, giving local readings and lectures, and organizing conferences.
During her three years as Poet Laureate, Harjo travelled across the country inspiring audiences with her poetry and supporting other artists. As the first Native American to hold the post, she felt it important to highlight the work of Native artists through various initiatives including the project Living Nations, Living Worlds.
“She has done so much for not only poets, but for Indigenous people in general. I look forward to seeing what’s next for her!” said contemporary Diné poet, Tacey Atsitty.
One of her most lasting accomplishments will likely be her work to help compile an anthology of Native American poetry called When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through, which includes work from 160 poets representing nearly 100 nations, including 12 Diné poets, bringing in established voices like Rex Lee Jim, and newer voices like Tacey Atsitty. Thank you Joy Harljo for all that you have done for our people. We will miss you here in Wááshindoon.
If you would like to see Ms. Harjo’s inaugural reading as U.S. Poet Laureate click here.
| | |
|
U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Votes
in Favor of IHS Director Nominee
|  | |
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a business meeting regarding the confirmation of Roselyn Tso to serve as the Director of the Indian Health Service. The committee unanimously voted in support of Tso’s confirmation which has since moved to the Senate for a floor vote.
President Nez and Vice President Lizer are grateful to the committee for their support and extend congratulations to Ms. Tso. President Nez previously testified before the committee in May highlighting Tso’s contribution to the Navajo people during the COVID pandemic stating, “Ms. Tso’s quick response and steadfast leadership led to a well-coordinated effort with the Navajo Department of Health establishing public health orders even before the first COVID cases were confirmed on the Navajo Nation.”
A seasoned professional with the Indian Health Service Ms. Tso started her career in 1984 as a receptionist and worked her way through the ranks. Inspired by her family's experience growing up on the Navajo Nation, she pushed for and devoted her career to eliminating the health inequities suffered by Native Americans. The most recent position Tso held at IHS was that of Director for the Navajo Area Office, the agency's largest region, which serves more than 244,000 American Indians across 27,000 square miles.
Ms. Tso hails from LeChee, AZ with family from Kaibeto, AZ and Crownpoint, NM. She is of the Deeshchii’nii (Start at the Red Streak People) and Hashk’aa hadzohi (Yacca Fruit Strung Out) clans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Maryhurst University in Portland, Oregon, and a graduate degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
| | |
|
The Department of the Interior is holding a series of Listening Sessions regarding Strengthening Public Trust in DOI Law Enforcement Program
July 16, 2022 at 2:00pm EST
| |
The White House Council on Native American Affairs is hosting a Tribal Engagement Session regarding WHCNAA Tribal Homelands Initiatives
July 18, 2022 at 2:00pm EST
| |
The Department of Homeland Security is holding a series of Tribal Consultations regarding Executive Order 14053 - Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People
July 18, 2022 at 2:00pm EST
July 20, 2022 at 3:00pm EST
July 26, 2022 at 3:00pm EST
July 27, 2022 at 3:00pm EST
July 28, 2022 at 4:00pm EST
August 3, 2022 at 2:00pm EST
| |
The Army Corps of Engineers is holding a series of virtual Tribal Meetings regarding Priority Policy Initiatives to Modernize Civil Works
July 19, 2022 at 2:00pm EST
July 21, 2022 at 1:00pm EST
July 27, 2022 at 1:00pm EST
| | |
Additional News and Updates | |
|
Recycling Education and Outreach; Grant Program and Model Recycling Program Toolkit
EPA is developing and implementing several new programs as directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA is seeking information about effective strategies to reach consumers and encourage them to engage in activities that reduce the generation of waste, improve effective recycling and reduce contamination in the recycling stream. Written comments are due on July 25, 2022.
| |
Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee; Reopening Request for Nominations
On March 31, 2022, HUD issued a notice seeking requests for nominations for HUD's Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC) which closed on May 31, 2022. HUD did not receive any Tribal nominations from the Southwest Region and is reopening the request for HUD's TIAC for another thirty days. Nominations for potential representatives are due on July 28, 2022.
| |
Notice of Funds Availability for the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge for FY2022
The Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD) is seeking applications, for the Rural Development Cooperative Agreement Program (RPIC), from eligible entities to provide technical assistance and training to rural communities for placemaking planning and implementation. This funding opportunity will be administered by the USDA Rural Development Innovation Center and is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, to provide up to $4 million in competitive cooperative agreement funds. Applications are due by August 15, 2022.
| |
Advisory Committee On
Tribal and Indian Affairs,
Notice of Meeting
The Department of Veterans Affairs gives notice that the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs will meet on. August 15, 16, and 17, 2022.
| |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Revision of Civil Right Data Collection Methods
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposes to revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations that cover the collection and reporting of race and ethnicity data by State agencies on persons receiving benefits from SNAP. This rule would remove regulatory language that provides an example that State agencies might collect race and ethnicity data by observation (also referred to as “visual observation”) when participants do not voluntarily provide the information on the application form. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is committed to promoting equity and inclusion through its Federal nutrition assistance programs. This regulatory change is consistent with this Administration's priorities and furthers FNS' commitment to build equitable and inclusive systems for nutrition access. Written Comments are due on August 26, 2022.
| |  |
|
2022 Governor's Native American Summit
July 28, 2022
The Utah Division of Indian Affairs celebrates the 16th annual Governor's Native American Summit. It is a unique event where State and Tribal Leaders, community stakeholders, and Utah's Native American community come together to learn from each other about how to solve the many challenges facing Utah's Native American communities, and more importantly, we gather to celebrate our cultures that are still thriving today.
| |
Youth in Action:
Indigenizing Hip-Hop
August 12, 2022
How are Indigenous youth asserting their sovereignty and dismantling stereotypes through hip-hop? Join us for an online conversation with Native youth who meld hip-hop and Indigenous beats and rhymes to construct their own narratives and create social change.
| | |
For more information on the information provided in this newsletter, please contact NNWO at info@nnwo.org. | | | | | |
