John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund, in a statement said tribal nations, “more so than almost any other community, will be negatively impacted” by a freeze on federal funding.
“Tribal Nations rely on federal funding to address essential needs, including public safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” he said. “The United States has a unique government-to-government obligation to Tribal Nations. Because of this unique relationship, Tribal Nations and Native people are especially and disproportionately affected by any federal actions like today’s funding freeze.
“The United States must fulfill its trust obligation to protect Tribal treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources. Withholding federal funding without consultation is a step in the wrong direction.”
He said the money being withheld is taxpayer dollars. “Through Congress, we, the people, have made decisions about how we want our money spent. To withhold our money from us without reason or warning is illegal and immoral.”
Echohawk said his group is investigating the impacts a pause could have and weighing possible legal action.
