The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued this statement following the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to grant certiorari to the litigation related to CARES Act funds for Alaska Native people:
The ANCSA Regional Association and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association welcome the Supreme Court’s decision to accept our case. As Alaska’s harsh winter season rages on, Alaska Native people and Alaska Native communities continue to suffer disproportionately from the devastating effects of the pandemic.
The latest COVID-19 relief bill did not include funds for tribal organizations – making it imperative for Alaska Native corporations (ANCs) to finally gain access to the CARES Act tribal funds Congress intended for us last spring. This long overdue emergency assistance is critical to the thousands of Alaska Native people who rely on ANCs for vital health, education and social service programs.
We hold strong our belief that Alaska Native people should not be punished for the unique tribal system that Congress established for the state 50 years ago. Nor should they be denied critical aid in a global pandemic because of a law’s use of commas. We are simply asking for Alaska Native people to receive the same support provided to millions of other Americans. We thank the Supreme Court for taking up this case and we look forward to making our argument.
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For background on ANCs and the CARES Act, please go to https://ancsaregional.com/cares-act/.