The economic stimulus package will not be giving assistance to Native American tribes in Virginia, reports the Daily Press. Nationally, some $2.5 billion will be going to Native American tribes, but since no tribes in Virginia are federally recognized, none will receive any funding directly.
Legislatures have said that money from the economic stimulus for Native American tribes will help people in some of the most impoverished areas of the nation. The current economic recession has seen the rates of poverty in Native communities worsen. Some Native American communities face more than 50 percent unemployment. Eight of the 10 poorest counties in the United States are on reservations. The stimulus funds could go far in helping with projects on the ground -- repaving roads, building schools and health clinics, and generating employment.
The Daily Press reports that for more than a decade several Virginia tribes - including the Chickahominy, Mattaponi and Pamunkey in the Hampton Roads region - have been trying to have legislation passed in Congress for federal recognition without success.
Now the only way the Virginia tribes currently can receive any of the funding or help from the stimulus package is if the city or county where the tribe is located is given money for improvements that may benefit tribe members, reports the Daily Press.
This isn't fair. ALL should be included. The Natives of America are one of the poorest groups in the USA and they always seem to be overlooked. SHAME!
February 21, 2009 9:12 AM | Reply
That is criminal. What makes a tribe federally recognized? It sounds like the same old same old word gamesa. Why not at least give each family a set amount at least? Or make it so the cities have to institute certain programs for the people?
February 21, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply
We must find ways to help ALL people through this difficult time .
February 21, 2009 7:04 PM | Reply
As a Native American, I am particularly outraged at how we nedd to keep "proving" who we are according to non-Natives who continually r edefine us for their own economic interest. Shame on boththe US and the Virginia state governments.
February 22, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply
The truly destitute and indigent among us will never recieve any money from the government. We are the ones who have "fallen thru the cracks". Twas ever thus.
February 22, 2009 8:04 PM | Reply
I would like to see President Obama bring about CHANGE for the native tribes of Virginia. These people are past due federal recognition. They have suffered long enough in more ways than one.
They deserve the money. They don't deserve to be trodden upon any longer. This is not white AMERICA anymore this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!! Go OBAMA Go kick butt from the whitehouse!!
March 27, 2009 6:06 PM | Reply
How many times I see my brothers and sisters go without. No one ever cares and most things are only printed in Indian Newspapers.
The courts even turned down giving back Geronimo's remains to his family, instead they leave them with the Bush college.
I had to read the verdict in the Belfast Ireland newspaper.
Disgrace to the Indian people. Free Leonard Peltier
July 8, 2009 9:03 PM | Reply