WASHINGTON – In addition to the articles already covered by Native News Online, here’s a look at other news from Washington, D.C. recently impacting Indian Country.
FCC seeks information on 988 charges
This is a reminder that the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is requesting states, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, villages, or regional corporations to submit information regarding their jurisdiction’s authority to charge 988 fees or levies, the amount of revenue from the 988 fee or levy, and how the revenue from the 988 fee or levy was used, for the period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to receive our reporting directly to your inbox every weekday morning.
In 2020, Congress passed the 988 Act designating 988 as the universal telephone number within the United States for purposes of the national hotline system for suicide prevention and mental health crises. The 988 Act also provided that states, political subdivisions, Indian tribes or villages, or regional corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act may impose and collect fees for 988-related services, including (1) efficient and effective routing of calls to 988 to a suitable crisis center; and (2) staff and acute mental health, crisis response and stabilization services to respond to 988 calls. The 988 Act also required the FCC to submit an annual report on 988 fees to Congress. The 988 fee collection information will be used by the FCC in its annual report to Congress.
The requested 988 fee information must be provided via a fillable questionnaire, which can be downloaded at https://www.fcc.gov/988-feereports-and-reporting, and must be submitted to 988feereport@fcc.gov no later than July 17, 2024. Tribal and other entities are asked to download and complete the questionnaire, even if they do not collect or distribute 988 fees, and submit it via email to the FCC at 988feereport@fcc.gov.
BIE expands agricultural education options for native students
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and the Native American Agriculture Fund have announced a new partnership that will allow more BIE students to benefit from comprehensive, culturally relevant agricultural training and education. The agreement, signed two weeks ago at a ceremony at a Bureau of Indian Education school, and the initial implementation of this educational tool will be piloted in Wingate, New Mexico.
“This partnership furthers BIE’s commitment to providing high-quality, culturally relevant education while strengthening Indigenous communities and paving the way for a better future in Indigenous agriculture,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “Expanding agricultural education through business and credit experiences, vocational education programs, youth initiatives and exposure to outdoor agriculture helps create greater interest and new opportunities for Indigenous students to develop career paths in agriculture and related fields.”
The educational resources developed for use as part of this partnership delve into the history of Indigenous agriculture and modern practices, focusing on topics such as origins, leadership and plant science within Indigenous communities. By integrating project-based learning, students are introduced in depth to the principles and practices of traditional agriculture, promoting an understanding of indigenous agricultural systems on indigenous lands throughout the United States.
Two US senators are calling for Five-year tribal BABA exemption
US Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expressing concerns about the implementation of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and its impact on infrastructure development in indigenous communities.
In the letter, the Senators note that Indigenous communities continue to face challenges in infrastructure construction due to a lack of contractors, remote geography and ongoing supply chain issues, and that these challenges will only be exacerbated by the implementation of the BABA mandate. Murkowski and Sullivan are urging OMB to waive Buy America preferences for all federal financial assistance to tribes for infrastructure projects for five years.
“Native communities – especially those in Alaska – face incredible challenges when it comes to improving and developing infrastructure, especially when it comes to safe, affordable housing. Alaska’s shipping and construction seasons are shorter, the price of supplies is higher, the geography is more extensive, and securing labor is often more challenging. Driven by feedback from tribal leaders, I call on OMB to ensure waivers are put in place to provide the greatest opportunity for tribal flexibility during the implementation of the BABA Act,” said Vice Chairman Murkowski. “Numerous members of the Alaska Legislature, both Democrats and Republicans, have also asked BABA for an exemption for tribal housing. The need is obvious. We must ensure that the additional challenges facing remote and rural communities do not prevent tribes from using the BABA Act to get the support Congress intended.”
About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most widely read publications covering Indian Country and the news important to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Native peoples. Contact us at editor@nativenewsonline.net.”
Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
