Navajo Nation President: U.S. Government Ignoring Native Americans Amid Coronavirus

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez stated Tuesday that the U.S. government “once again has ignored” the nation’s Native people, implicating federal authorities of stopping working to provide adequate much-needed resources to assist battle the coronavirus.

Throughout a town hall that aired live on Facebook, Nez advised citizens of his nation, the biggest American Indian area in the U.S., to stay “strong” and look after each other throughout the pandemic in spite of the absence of assistance.

“There’s frustration from leadership ― not just here on Navajo but all of Indian Country,” Nez stated. “We feel that the United States government once again has ignored or even left out the first residents, the first people, the first citizens of this country: Indigenous people.”

He stated tribal countries have not yet seen any of the resources designated in the three coronavirus relief bills signed into law by President Donald Trump last month.

“But you know what? We’re strong people, ladies and gentleman,” Nez informed the Navajo Nation throughout his city center. “We have overcome tough times and we’re utilizing our resources to help our people out there. Government can’t do everything.”

“I’m hearing about people hauling water for their grandparents, people helping get water and hay for their elders out there. That’s Navajo right there ― helping each other out to overcome this,” he continued. “And we will overcome this.”

The Navajo Nation covers approximately 250,000 square miles– about the size of West Virginia– throughout parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. About 350,000 members are registered in the nation, making it the second most populous Native American people, after the Cherokee Nation.

Since Tuesday, there have actually been at least 148 verified cases of the infection in the Navajo Nation and a minimum of 5 deaths. The numbers represent those surviving on the appointment– both members of the people and nonmembers– and do not consist of Navajo who live outside of the area.

Throughout his city center on Tuesday, Nez stated the nation had actually gotten “some” materials from the Strategic National Stockpile, however much more are required.

“It’s quite alarming to hear that some of the shipment that we get won’t even last a week,” he stated, including that all 50 states are likewise handling this concern. “So we’re trying to find resources out there.”

The $2 trillion stimulus expense enacted Friday took an extra $1 billion for the Indian Health Service, an infamously underfunded company that offers health services to federally acknowledged people. The legislation likewise consists of $8 billion in relief funds for tribal federal governments, though Nez recommended in his city center Tuesday that the Navajo Nation had actually not yet gotten its share.

He told The Los Angeles Times recently that he was worried about specific people needing to request the help. Neither the Interior Department, which disperses the relief funds, nor the Navajo Nation right away reacted to HuffPost’s ask for comment.

Professionals stress native populations are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 provided their high rates of diabetes, heart disease and other underlying conditions that make people more at threat to the illness.

What’s more, some Navajo have actually hesitated to observe the cautions of the Centers for Illness Control and Avoidance, due to what the LA Times referred to as “a long-standing distrust of the federal government.” Regular hand-washing, as encouraged by medical professionals, can likewise show challenging in some locations of the appointment where there’s an absence of running water.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) apparently alerted Trump throughout a telephone call Monday that the infection might “wipe out” some tribal countries.

“We’re seeing incredible spikes in the Navajo Nation,” Grisham stated. “This is going to be an issue where we’re going to have to figure that out and think about maybe testing and surveillance opportunities.”

She stated New Mexico is seeing a greater rate of infection amongst more youthful people along with a more instant need for ventilators compared to other populations.

In reaction, Trump apparently directed other authorities in the space to check out the concern and rapidly construct a medical facility asked for by Grisham.

“Boy, that’s too bad for the Navajo Nation ― I’ve been hearing that,” Trump stated.

The Navajo Nation stated a public health state of emergency situation on March11 Nez has actually bought all citizens to remain at home unless they are considered important employees or need to look for treatment or acquire arrangements. On Sunday, Nez revealed a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily that entered into result on Monday.

“We’ve got to think of our future,” Nez stated throughout the city center Tuesday. “We can’t let our elders leave us earlier. . We are overcomers, we are resilient and we’ll be able to get through this COVID-19.”