In brief
The ongoing government shutdown is set to have deleterious effects on Native American tribes across the U.S. Many tribes are already furloughing employees and halting vital services. Concerns are mounting that the shutdown may lead to significant layoffs of federal workers essential to upholding treaty rights. Citing the potential long-term impacts, tribal leaders are urging the government to ensure essential services and tribal consultations remain operational.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Native Americans are bracing for challenges as the U.S. government shutdown takes effect, with concerns mounting over disruptions to health care, education, and infrastructure—promised through treaties established over a century ago.
Tribal nations with independent revenue sources, such as casinos and oil leases, anticipate they can sustain operations for a while, while those more reliant on federal funding are already facing layoffs.
Tribal leaders worry that the government shutdown could hinder federal workers responsible for upholding trust and treaty responsibilities. This is particularly alarming, given historical agreements for protecting the health and welfare of Indigenous communities in exchange for their ancestral lands.
Immediate Impact
In Nevada, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has furloughed 25 employees and closed its cultural center and museum due to the shutdown. The closures are deemed temporary, but further reductions may still occur if the shutdown persists.
“As the government shutdown continues, other departments may become limited in operation,” written by Chairman Steven Wadsworth, reassured its tribe members.
Potential Federal Layoffs
Concerns around potential layoffs of federal workers responsible for tribal treaty rights persist among Indigenous communities, with Liz Carr of the Cedar Rock Alliance expressing unease about the government's direction.
Carr highlighted that during the Biden administration, there was a lack of recognition for treaty responsibilities within the Office of Management and Budget, and cited risks of essential programs being dismantled, leaving tribes without necessary support.
Threat to Cultural Preservation
The Indian Health Service remains operational; however, many tribal-owned health centers suffer from federal funding constraints, creating gaps in care for Indigenous peoples. Additionally, critical federal agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development have halted operations.
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers has called for an immediate stop on projects that require discussions with tribes, pointing to legal obligations for tribal consultation absent necessary federal personnel.
“Project work should only continue when agencies are fully staffed,” emphasized the association’s executive director, Dr. Valerie Grussing, underlining the government’s responsibilities to consult with those affected.
