Dear Relatives,

The Indigenous Environmental Network is committed to supporting Indigenous communities through this global pandemic. You can read our COVID-19 statement here : [link removed]. You can also watch this informative webinar we hosted last week featuring key information about Indian Country’s efforts to combat the spread of this disease.


Click the image below to watch: 

: [link removed]




The US Congressis moving to pass a series of stimulus relief packages to address the COVID-19 crisis. In response to this, the Indigenous Environmental Network recently developed the “Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” initiative, in partnership with a larger coalition of organizations. IEN worked to ensure tribal and Indigenous communities are represented and supported during this time. 


The “Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” will be the foundation for the #peoplesbailout campaign. You can join #peoplesbailout : [link removed] taking action and demanding your member of Congress pass a swift, inclusive bailout, by and for the people.


You can join the #peoplesbailout by clicking here : [link removed]


The “Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” and the #peoplesbailout are in response to policymakers and the administration’s stimulus plans that attempt to return the economy back to a status quo where safety and security are promised only to corporations and the wealthy few. Gambling trillions of our tax dollars on stimulating the stock market can't fix the lack of access to medical care, or the pollution in our skies-- only a package centered in justice for the people can do that. 
 
A #peoplesbailout is rooted in justice and balances short and long term recovery. The #peoplesbailout demands a just recovery by prioritizing and funding those who have been hit first and worst by COVID-19 and the current recession. 
 
We will not let Congress leave anyone behind -- especially our Native nations and Indigenous peoples living in urban cores. Indigenous peoples will be among those hit the hardest and it’s time for the U.S. administration and policymakers to step up and do what's right in fulfilling its legal obligations to our Native nations who are experiencing shortfalls in essential health care and financial crisis  by this unprecedented global pandemic.
 
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE #PEOPLESBAILOUT AND CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE : [link removed]
 
Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus
 
 
(1) HEALTH IS THE TOP PRIORITY, FOR ALL PEOPLE, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS
 
We support the calls of community leaders, public health organizations, unions, and others for free and accessible testing, treatment, and protective equipment; expanded hospital capacity, including in rural areas, territories, and tribal lands; paid sick leave and paid family medical leave for all workers without exception; expanded federal funding for Medicaid; and full funding for Indian Health Service and urban Indian health centers. Critically, the government must ensure such health protections cover all people, including low-wage workers, health workers, independent contractors, family farmers, Black and Latinx communities, undocumented immigrants, Indigenous peoples, people who are incarcerated, people who are homeless or housing insecure, and others likely to be hit first and worst by COVID-19 and the economic downturn. 
 
(2) PROVIDE ECONOMIC RELIEF DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE 
 
We support the urgent calls to expand the social safety net by broadening unemployment insurance, vastly increasing food aid programs, extending housing assistance, expanding childcare for working families, relieving student debt, and halting evictions, foreclosures, and shut offs of water and electricity. As with expanded public health measures, these economic measures must be implemented to ensure coverage of workers and communities likely to be hit first and worst by COVID-19 and the economic downturn. In addition, to counteract the economic downturn, the federal government should immediately direct sizable cash payments to every person. Larger payments should be made to lower-income workers and the poor, who are disproportionately exposed to both COVID-19 health risks and heightened job insecurity. These payments should be made swiftly and regularly throughout the duration of the economic recession.
 
(3) RESCUE WORKERS AND COMMUNITIES, NOT CORPORATE EXECUTIVES
 
Any financial assistance directed at specific industries must be channeled to workers, not shareholders or corporate executives. Specifically, any federal loans must be used to maintain payroll and benefits, not executive bonuses or stock buybacks. In addition, such funds should come with pro-worker conditions, such as requiring worker representation on the company’s board of directors, company-wide enactment of a $15/hour or higher minimum wage, and compliance with high-road labor standards such as payment of prevailing wages, use of project-labor agreements, adoption of a neutrality policy with regard to union collective bargaining, and adoption of a “ban the box” hiring policy to ensure fair employment opportunities for all. 
 
(4) MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON A REGENERATIVE ECONOMY, WHILE PREVENTING FUTURE CRISES
 
While we urgently need a large, short-term stimulus to protect the health and economic security of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, it is imperative that policymakers also plan for a large, medium-term stimulus to counteract the economic downturn and ensure a just recovery. This stimulus should create millions of good, family-sustaining jobs with high-road labor standards; counter systemic inequities by directing investments to the working families, communities of color, and Indigenous communities who face the most economic insecurity; and tackle the climate crisis that is compounding threats to our economy and health. All three goals can be achieved simultaneously with public investments to rebuild our infrastructure, replace lead pipes, expand wind and solar power, build clean and affordable public transit, weatherize our buildings, build and repair public housing, manufacture more clean energy goods, restore our wetlands and forests, expand public services that support climate resilience, and support regenerative agriculture led by family farmers. Critically, stimulus packages should include conditions for industries to implement high-road labor standards, workforce development, and reductions in climate emissions and toxic pollution. The response to one existential crisis must not fuel another. 
 
(5) PROTECT OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WHILE PROTECTING EACH OTHER
 
People must not be forced to choose between exercising their rights as citizens and protecting public health. The federal government must support states, by providing funding and technical support wherever needed, to ensure that every American can vote safely in primary and general elections. Specific life-saving and democracy-defending measures include expanding vote by mail, online or automatic voter registration, among others. The 2020 Census must be fully supported and resourced to achieve an accurate and safe count under the new and evolving conditions. US Congress, state capitals and city halls should not shut down until they have amended rules to ensure continuity of governance in the case that in-person sessions are suspended.




If you have any questions about the “Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” or the #peoplesbailout you can contact Bineshi Albert [email protected] : mailto:[email protected] or Jennifer Falcon [email protected] : mailto:[email protected] . 
 
To Make A Tax Deductible Donation: 
Paypal.me/IENEarth : [link removed]    : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed]
 
 
### Established in 1990, The Indigenous Environmental Network is an international environmental justice nonprofit that works with tribal grassroots organizations to build the capacity of Indigenous communities. IEN’s activities include empowering Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, the health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities. Learn more here: ienearth.org : [link removed]



The Indigenous Environmental Network - PO Box 485 - Bemidji - MN - 56619

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