Author: Kim Kalliber

Tulalip Tribes, Washington, DC Office 

In a joint effort, the Tulalip Tribes and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in Washington state, together with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in Maine and three federally recognized Indian tribes in the state of Alaska, have filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to prevent the Department of the Treasury from distributing funds to corporations or other non-governmental entities that Congress intended to be distributed only to Tribal governments. The three Alaska co-plaintiffs are the Akiak Native Community, the Asa’carsarmiut Tribe, and the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island. The Parties will be asking the Court to issue an injunction against illegal disbursements of the Congressional appropriation. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) became law on March 27, 2020, and provides $150 billion in direct aid specifically for COVID-19 related expenses to states, Tribal governments, territories and local governments. Of the $150 billion, Congress allocated $8 billion to Tribal governments. In setting aside the funds for Tribal governments, numerous members of Congress related the tremendous hardships that COVID-19 has caused for Tribal governments. 

During the past week, Indian country became aware that the Treasury Department was considering expanding the scope of entities that could receive direct payments under this provision beyond Tribal governments. On April 13, 2020, Treasury published on its website a certification form for eligible entities to complete that confirmed its intent to treat Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) as “Tribal governments” for purposes of making payments under Title V of the CARES Act. 

There are 574 federally recognized Tribal governments that maintain a government-to-government relationship with the United States, which include Indian tribes and nations in the lower-48 states and the state of Alaska. Treasury’s disbursement of funds to ANCs will diminish the funding available for Tribal governments, which are providing critical services across the country to tribal members and their communities in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Such diminishment will occur at a time when other programs under the CARES Act are either unavailable to Tribal governments or have expended available funds. 

Many Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and members of Congress expressed written opposition to Treasury’s inclusion of ANCs inclusion because ANCs are state-chartered and state-regulated private business corporations, not Tribal governments as contemplated in the CARES Act. 

“We are opposed to any effort to consider Alaska Native Corporations or other entities not on the list of federally recognized Indian tribes as a ‘Tribal government’ under the CARES Act relief fund,” said Harry Pickernell, Sr., Chairman of the Chehalis Tribe. “We do, however, fully support the ability of Tribal governments to transfer any relief funds that they receive from Treasury to ANCs or other non-governmental entities if those Tribal governments determine that is in their best interest.” 

The federal government has a specific trust responsibility to federally recognized Indian tribes, not shareholders of corporations. The historic lack of federal funding for tribal programs has created a dramatic need in Indian Country. This portion of the CARES Act was intended for tribes that provide services to tribal members, not dividends to shareholders or any other non-governmental entity. 

“The notion that corporations incorporated under state law should be considered Tribal governments is shocking and will come at the expense of tribal governments, who are responsible for providing critical needs such as healthcare, housing, and education to their citizens,” said Teri Gobin, Chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes. “We are struggling right now because we have no revenue coming in, and it’s going to take years to recover,” Gobin added. 

The Tribes’ lawsuit does not seek any delay of Treasury’s statutory requirement to distribute funding to Tribal governments by the CARES Act deadline of April 27, 2020. Rather, the Tribes’ request that the Court order Treasury to disperse all $8 billion to Tribal governments, but not to ANCs, in accordance with the CARES Act. 

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, unemployment is quickly approaching historic levels, and some economists are forecasting we may be heading to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Welcome to April 2020 in the good ol’ U.S. of A.  

While countless people are scrambling to find paying jobs or anxiously awaiting unemployment benefits to kick in, one Tulalip citizen’s ingenuity and craftsmanship has allowed her to carve out a critical position in a very niche, yet suddenly surging, market place. Georgina Medina, tribal member and devoted mother of five, is creating stylish, protective face masks to combat the coronavirus.

First, we must interrupt this article with an important message from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). 

“It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”

That message comes directly from the CDC’s own website in an April 3^rd announcement ending the weeks’ long debate about whether a non-medical grade face mask can minimize the transmission of coronavirus. The answer is a resounding ‘Yes, it can.’

Now, back to Tulalip tribal member Georgina and her homemade mask making. It was in early March, back before COVID-19 had really entered the everyday lexicon and long before the CDC recommendation, that she had the foresight to hone her craft making skills. A high-risk family member had started to wear a mask as a preventative measure and Georgina thought to herself, “I wonder how difficult those are to make?”

The inquisitive 36-year-old then took to YouTube and watched a video tutorial on cloth mask making.

“It seemed easy enough, so I tried a few different methods on my sewing machine that my boyfriend bought me for Christmas,” recalled Georgina. “It was quite an experience. I messed up a few times until finally finding a way that worked for me.”

When she perfected her fabrication method, she made a mask using an eye-catching fabric design and posted it on Facebook. The response was incredible. Immediately, she received comments and messages from prevention-minded individuals offering to purchase one of her homemade creations. 

“I learned quickly that there was a definite need for these types of masks. After I posted that picture the requests just kept coming,” said Georgina. “Because I purchase all the materials and do all the necessary cutting, sewing and ironing by hand, I decided to charge $10.00 per mask. It’s been one journey after another to my favorite store (Jo-Anne’s Fabric in Smokey Point) to pick out fabrics ever since.”

From the time when she made that initial Facebook post in March, the terms ‘coronavirus’, ‘COVID-19’ and ‘high-risk groups’ have dominated the media landscape. COVID-induced fear and panic has spread like wildfire across not just the nation, but the entire planet. Globally, there are now 1.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 85,000+ deaths attributed to the pandemic. The statistics continue to grow at an exponential rate, resulting in health experts no longer simply urging preventive measures, instead they are demanding the use of social distancing and mask wearing when in public.

As a result, Georgina’s 100% double-layered cotton fabric masks are Earth-friendly not only because they are washable and reusable, but they also potentially save lives by mitigating risk of coronavirus transmission.

“If my masks help people and allow some to feel safe going in public like on essential trips for supplies and groceries, then I’m glad I can be a part of that,” said Georgina when considering her masks’ positive impacts. “A mask is not a cure, but it is a preventative measure and that’s better than nothing at all. The CDC has recommended everyone to start wearing them, so I’ll keep making them until we are virus free.”

To date Georgina’s surging sales have led to a customer base spanning the entire west coast. She has shipped her masks to consumers from Alaska to California, the Dakotas and throughout Canada. There’s even been repeat business from a customer in Texas.

“I have an impaired immune system and was terrified to leave the house,” shared customer Callisto. “Now, with this mask and an added filter on the inside of it, I can go get groceries and not be so afraid. [The mask] is beautiful, fits well, and is so needed. And a bargain for the price!”

She delivers locally, offers shipping to those who require it, and even takes custom orders for customers desiring a specific fabric design.

“A huge thank you to those willing to support me and my 5 children at this time,” said the diligent mask maker before hustling back to her sewing machine. She just received another order to fill. 

Anyone interested in buying a stylish, protective mask to aid in lowering the coronavirus curve can do so by contacting Georgina Medina on Facebook.