Some Tribal Programs May Be Cut

By Representative Sylvia Laughter

Arizona House of Representatives

The Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs – TANF Appropriations for the five tribes (The Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and White Mountain Apache Tribe) Funding for tribal Senior Centers on the Navajo and Hopi reservations, and funding for tribally operated colleges.

“I believe this would be a grave error on the part of the State of Arizona. It is unfathomable that, in the 21st Century, short-sighted governments should once again balance their budgets on our backs. Historically, Indian tribes and nations have borne the brunt of economic turndowns, denial of funding, loss of lands, and in some cases even the fundamental right of sovereignty over their own peoples and lands.

“Despite this appalling past treatment, Arizona’s Native Americans still answer their country’s call to military service in large numbers. After the tragic events of September 11th, Native Americans once again heeded our nation’s call to duty without hesitation. Just July of this year, the Navajo Code Talkers were finally awarded the Congressional Gold medal for their major role in the second world war when the Navajo language became the key code which won the war for our Nation.

Regardless of circumstances, regardless of history, they came forward to serve our Nation as Code Talkers. Federal Indian policy has shifted toward a policy of devolving power down to tribal, state, and local government levels. This policy shift has provided tribal and state governments with an opportunity to work toward establishing and enhancing intergovernmental relations. This new era of partnerships enables tribal, state and local governments to more effectively collaborate on joint programs, share scarce resources, and build more secure futures for their citizens.

Injustices against our Native communities have persisted since statehood. However, Arizona has but recently started to reconcile itself with its past. Only in the past couple of years has Arizona made an effort to establish and enhance true government-to-government relations. However, with these proposals to cease funding the few programs that serve the Indian tribes and nations of Arizona, the state government is taking a giant step backward toward the failed policies of termination.

These programs use only a tiny portion of the state’s resources, yet they return far more in value: In the past couple of years, ACIA has gained the respect of the Arizona Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the Indian Tribes/Nations of Arizona, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the Southwest Tribal TANF Coalition (SWTTC), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and many other private, state and tribal entities. In 2000, ACIA won a 10-year extension, the maximum allowable by Arizona law.

Since time immemorial, the tribes of Arizona were self-sufficient, even prosperous people. However, as a result of forced dependency on federal largesse, tribes must now rebuild their economies and communities. Each tribe has its own tale of governmental intervention. Tribal TANF programs are but one means of helping tribal community members regain their economic self-reliance and self-respect, and building the strong families that once were the backbone of traditional tribal culture.

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