OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Native Americans across the state are bracing for the impact of the ongoing government shutdown, concerned about possible damaging effects on critical support services including health care, education, and infrastructure, all of which are funded under historic treaties.
Tribal nations with diversified revenue sources, such as casinos or energy leases, anticipate they can maintain operations for a limited time, whereas tribes that rely heavily on federal funds have already started furloughing workers and shuttering programs.
Many tribal leaders express heightened anxiety about the potential for the Trump administration to seize this moment to lay off federal employees responsible for honoring treaty obligations. These treaties, established decades ago, commit the U.S. government to safeguarding the health, safety, and educational needs of tribal citizens.
Cultural Centers Impacted
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada has been directly affected, furloughing at least 25 employees since October 1. This has led to the closure of their museum, cultural center, and vital educational services for Native children in public schools. They have indicated that if the government shutdown extends, further closures may become necessary.
Tribal Chairman Steven Wadsworth highlighted the importance of maintaining essential public safety operations like police and emergency services in a letter to tribal members, emphasizing the tough decisions being made.
Fear of Layoffs
Throughout Indian Country, the fear of losing federal support has spread. Liz Carr, the vice president for intergovernmental relations for the Cedar Rock Alliance, voiced concerns over possible federal layoffs that could jeopardize rights under existing treaties. “I’m extremely nervous about that,” Carr stated.
The Trump administration previously targeted federal offices for downsizing, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, raising further alarms among tribal leaders who feel their support structures are under threat.
Under President Biden’s administration, Carr was previously appointed as the first tribal adviser in the Office of Management and Budget but was later asked to resign, leaving a void in oversight of tribal needs at the federal level. This gap contributes to a disconnect regarding treaty responsibilities among key agency decision-makers.
Critical Services at Risk
While the Indian Health Service remains operational, many tribal healthcare facilities — dependent on federal funding — could suffer from prolonged governmental paralysis. Various agencies serving tribes have already ceased operations, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which has implications for housing security in tribal areas.
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers is urging the federal government to suspend projects impacting tribal lands until there’s proper staffing to consult with tribal leaders, reinforcing the necessity for engaged support from federal agencies to honor existing treaty obligations.
