In brief
With the ongoing government shutdown, Native American tribes are grappling with the implications for vital services such as healthcare, education, and public safety. Some tribes that have independent revenue sources anticipate they can sustain operations temporarily, but those reliant on federal funding have begun furloughing employees and halting essential programs. Concerns grow over potential layoffs of federal workers who safeguard treaty rights and over the disruption of critical services.
Oklahoma City (RTWNews) — Native Americans are closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding the government shutdown, anticipating damaging effects on healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other key services that have long been funded through treaties established over a century ago.
Tribal nations with casinos, oil, and gas leases, along with other independent revenue streams, are generally prepared to maintain operations for the immediate future. However, tribes that are more dependent on government funding are already making tough decisions, including furloughing workers.
Many tribal leaders are expressing concerns that the current administration may leverage the shutdown to terminate federal employees who are crucial for fulfilling trust and treaty obligations. Historically, the U.S. government has committed to protecting the health, safety, and education of tribal communities in exchange for ceding their ancestral lands.
Disrupted Services and Layoffs
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe near Reno, Nevada, has already furloughed at least 25 employees as of October 1, resulting in the closure of its museum, cultural center, higher education department, and programs for Native children within public schools.
The tribe has indicated these closures are temporary but warns that further restrictions may arise if the shutdown persists. In a message to tribal members, Chairman Steven Wadsworth stated, “As the government shutdown continues, other departments may become limited in operation. These furloughs are necessary to ensure the continued operation of public safety, such as police, EMS, and the food bank.”
Anxiety Across Indian Country
Widespread anxiety looms within Indian Country, with many fearing that the current administration's approach could jeopardize the jobs of federal workers who uphold tribal treaty rights. Liz Carr, vice president for intergovernmental relations for the Cedar Rock Alliance, expressed her concerns, stating, “I’m extremely nervous about that.”
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump, along with his former advisor Elon Musk, urged the General Services Administration to cancel leases for numerous federal offices, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs' 25 regional offices, which are pivotal for tribal governments.
During the past administration, Carr served as the first tribal adviser to the Office of Management and Budget. She notes that since her departure, the office remains vacant, leading to a significant lack of understanding about treaty obligations and trust responsibilities within the federal government.
Critical Funding in Jeopardy
The Indian Health Service, which provides medical care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, is expected to remain funded and operational, according to the Health and Human Services' contingency plans. However, many tribal-owned health care centers that rely on federal funding are already feeling the pressure.
Critical agencies assisting tribes have begun to shut down, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which manages the Indian Housing Block Grant, and the Federal Highway Administration overseeing the Tribal Transportation Program.
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers is urging the government to pause any projects related to oil and gas development that necessitate consultation with tribal nations. The group’s executive director, Dr. Valerie Grussing, emphasized the legal obligation for federal agencies to engage with tribes on projects that could impact their communities. “Projects should only resume when agencies are fully staffed and tribes have someone to consult with,” she concluded.
