Tribes consider loans as reserve funds run out during federal shutdown

Tribal governments are running out of reserve funds as the federal shutdown nears its 30th day, forcing some to consider loans to maintain essential services, according to ICT.

Sarah Harris, Mohegan and the secretary of the United South and Eastern Tribes, told the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Oct. 29 that some tribes may need to take out lines of credit to continue operations. Several tribal nations, including the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe and Blackfeet Nation, have declared states of emergency.

Witnesses also testified that layoffs and halted funding to programs such as the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are worsening conditions, particularly in Alaska Native communities still recovering from Typhoon Halong.