This was recognized in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitutions, which states that the United States Congress shall have power “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.”
This was recognized in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitutions, which states that the United States Congress shall have power “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.”
“Their relations to the United States resemble that of a ward to his guardian. They look to our Government for protection, rely upon its kindness and its power, appeal to it for relief to their wants[.]”
“The Cherokee nation, then, is a distinct community, occupying its own territory, with boundaries accurately described, in which the laws of Georgia can have no force … [t]he whole intercourse between the United States and this nation is, by our Constitution and laws, vested in the Government of the United States.”
This formed a very basic relationship: In exchange for land and resources, the federal government agreed to provide for the needs of Tribes.
Despite the trust and treaty responsibilities, IHS is
funded as a discretionary program and is reliant on yearly appropriations for continued operations.
It is also only funded at around 56 percent of need. This is a conservative estimate.
This makes it vulnerable to lapses in funding, such as government shutdowns.
FY 2016: $4.8 billion
FY 2017: $5.0 billion
FY 2018: $5.5 billion
FY 2019: $5.8 billion
FY 2020: $6.0 billion
FY 2016: $968 million
FY 2017: $1.02 billion
FY 2018: $1.09 billion
FY 2019: $1.14 billion
According to a 2019 GAO Report, between Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2018, third party collections at IHS and Tribal facilities increased by $360 million.
Some IHS facilities report that third party revenue accounts for 60 percent or more of their budgets.
According to IHS data from 2005-2007, AI/AN people die at higher rates than other Americans from a number of ailments.
138%
83%
AI/ANs deaths are disproportionate in many of the 27 states that report ethnicity in their COVID data.
New Mexico: AI/ANs are 51.7% of COVID deaths but 10.7% of population.
Montana: AI/ANs are 41.5% of COVID deaths but 8.2% of population.
Wyoming: AI/ANs are 28.3% of COVID deaths but 3.7% of population.
Mississippi: AI/ANs are 2.7% of COVID deaths but 0.8% of population.In July, a data visualization of COVID-19 case rates per 100,000 by Tribal Nation created by the American Indian Studies Center at the University of California Los Angeles found that if Tribes were states, the top five infection rates nationwide would all be Tribal Nations.
In a hearing before House Interior Appropriations on June 11, 2020, IHS Director Rear Admiral (RADM) Weahkee stated that third party collections have plummeted 30-80% below last year’s collections levels, and that it would likely take years to recoup these losses.
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