On Point | Podcast How Trump administration cuts threaten Native Americans
9 snips
Apr 22, 2025 Mary Annette Pember, a national correspondent for ICT News and an enrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe, joins Aaron Payment, a tribal council member and advocate for treaty obligations. They discuss the significant impact of federal budget cuts on Native American communities, highlighting the loss of vital services, such as healthcare and education. The conversation also touches on the crucial role of tribal colleges and the urgent need for the government to honor its commitments to tribes. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and self-sufficiency amid rising challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Local Food Bank Funding Cut
- Tessa Hawley from Fort Belknap Reservation shared struggles with scarce fresh food and healthcare access.
- Her nonprofit lost a crucial $750,000 USDA grant overnight, forcing her to halt food deliveries.
Cuts Impact Core Tribal Programs
- Many federal cuts hit tribal programs under the Indian Self-Determination Act, affecting health, education, and cultural services.
- Despite some restorations, funding remains uncertain for programs like addiction services, tribal colleges, and libraries.
Treaty and Trust Legal Obligation
- The U.S. has a legal treaty and trust obligation to provide health, education, and welfare to tribes in exchange for land.
- Proposed cuts risk violating these agreements and threaten to reduce treaty funding by 30-40%.