Navajo deaths increase from coronavirus, as U.S. delays release of federal funds
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- The Navajo Nation reported six more deaths in the past 24 hours, and 85 new cases of coronavirus. Still, the United States government has not released funds that were allocated to Native American Nations, including $600 million for the Navajo Nation.
The federal stimulus law mandated that $8 billion be provided to tribes by the end of April. However, the funds were not released and Native American Nations filed a lawsuit.
Navajo President Jonathan Nez said Tuesday, “Today, the federal government announced that they intend to release a portion of funds appropriated by Congress over one month ago to tribes to help fight COVID-19, but I’ll believe it when I see it. We’ve had to file a lawsuit to get what states received weeks ago."
President Nez said the Navajo Nation was notified directly of the intent to release the funds and during a roundtable in Phoenix on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer and Second Lady Dottie Lizer joined President Donald Trump, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, and Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, in a roundtable discussion that focused on COVID-19 in Indian Country and the signing of the proclamation on “Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Native Awareness Day," the Navajo President's Office said.
With the largest number of cases and deaths in the United States -- 2,559 and 79 deaths -- the Navajo Nation is in dire need of funds. The Navajo Nation has raised over $2 million in donations that has gone to direct aid to families. On Tuesday, supplies were delivered to Sawmill and Crystal chapters.
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