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After weeks of delay and confusion, the Trump administration has announced a plan to disburse coronavirus relief funds to tribal governments. 

 designated $8 billion for Native American tribes, but tribal leaders in Minnesota and across the country said the 

 because of confusion about how it should be distributed. 

This week, the federal government announced it will immediately begin distributing $4.8 billion to tribal governments. On Wednesday, White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota said it received $20.6 million from the law. Tribal leaders said in a statement they are still deciding how to best use the funds.

Tribal nations prepare for COVID-19

Tribal nations still awaiting federal aid

Minnesota DFL U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said she was glad to see action to start releasing the funds, but tweeted: "This is just a start. Treasury should disburse all $8 billion to tribal governments immediately — Tribes have already had to wait too long."

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said 60 percent of the $8 billion allocated by Congress will be distributed based on population data used to distribute Indian Housing Block Grant funds. Officials said that money will be sent to tribal governments over several days. 

Remaining funds will be sent to tribal governments later based on the total number of persons employed by the tribe and any tribal-owned entity, and additional data to be collected later about how much tribal governments have spent on COVID-19 response.

Minnesota News

Business and Economic News

NewsPartners

Health

COVID-19

Dan Gunderson

Author

More than a month after Congress OK’d $8 billion, the federal government announced a plan to channel aid to tribal governments across the country. White Earth said it received $20.6 million.

COVID-19 aid starts flowing to tribes after weeks of confusion

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