Tribal nations are governments. As such, they are responsible
for the same type of governmental functions as state and local
governments such as health, education, social services,
infrastructure, elderly care, public safety, law enforcement and
tribal courts, management of natural resources and economic
development.
The 574 tribal nations in the United States focused their
advocacy during phase III of the COVID-19 relief legislation on
those provisions that would shore up tribal governmental operations
during the crisis and ensure the health, safety and well-being of
tribal communities.
The Senate-passed CARES Act contains key tribal-specific
provisions in the areas of health care, food distribution, housing
and tribal government stabilization, along with access to other
federal programs.
