Letter to Steve Mnuchin, Department of The Treasury Secretary - Tipton Fights to Ensure Tribes Receive Fair Coronavirus Relief

Letter

Dear Secretary Mnuchin:

On behalf of Indian Country, we are reaching out to make you aware several Federally
Recognized Tribes received a grossly disproportionate distribution in the first tranche of the $8
billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for Native American Tribes due to what might just be a
clerical error. We are hoping this oversight can be easily rectified before the second tranche of
funding is distributed. When Congress worked on the CARES Act and made specific provisions
for Indian Country, it was never the intent for any tribe to be omitted. In fact, great strides were
made to ensure Indian Country was not left behind or excluded.

The tribes in question have all been assessed a zero population or drastically reduced population,
which is inaccurate. It is our understanding Treasury relied on the American Indian Alaskan
Native (AIAN) enrollment numbers from the FY 2020 Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)
report; use of this data ultimately resulted in some tribes incorrectly being assessed at zero
enrolled members or greatly reduced their number of enrolled members. The devastating
consequence is absolute inequality among tribes of comparable sizes. For example, a California
tribe with 630 members receives more than $2 million while a Florida tribe with 600 members
has received no funding at all; or a Wyoming tribe with 3,400 members receives just over $10
million while an Oklahoma tribe of 3,000 members receives $100,000.

We understand different enrollment data sources regarding tribal membership often show
conflicting numbers. For this reason, it was extremely wise for BIA and Treasury to take the time
and effort to engage with Tribal Leaders through consultations, request written comments, and
develop a portal for Tribes to self-certify enrollment. These Tribal Consultations, and the
enrollment numbers Tribal Leaders provided at Treasury's request, must be respected. The 573
Federally Recognized Tribes are Sovereign Nation partners with the Federal Government. We
mustn't let these tribes down in one of the greatest financial and health crises this country has
faced in almost a century.

These enrolled member numbers must get rectified immediately, as the problem has the potential
to snowball for Tribal Nations erroneously assessed with zero or reduced enrolled members.
These numbers cannot become the standard by which the Federal Government, Treasury or any
other Agency engages with Tribes. If we don't act swiftly, we will be creating additional undue
hardships on Tribes already struggling with COVID-19.

Please let us know what measures we can take to help rectify this problem. Time is of the
essence not only because there are statutory time frames to distributing the $8 billion CRF, but
also because our friends in Indian Country are suffering and need action now.