Native American Rights Fund
NEWS
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April 2020


#GivingTuesdayNow is May 5

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#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take
place on May 5, 2020. It is an emergency response to the unprecedented
need caused by COVID-19. As we work together for our own safety and
well-being, it also is a priority to protect the most vulnerable in
our midst.
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Since the onset of COVID-19, our team has been fighting to defend
Native communities whose rights are threatened during this time of
pandemic. We need your support now to stand strong during crisis!

Please get involved this #GivingTuesdayNow. Support tribes who are
fighting to keep their lands and people safe. Help raise awareness and
funding during these challenging times. Let's come together and stand
strong during crisis! Take action on #GivingTuesdayNow at
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Voting By Mail in Tribal Communities

In any move to a vote-by-mail system because of COVID-19, we must
provide accommodations for tribal communities to protect their ability
to vote. Native American communities face many challenges with
vote-by-mail. For example throughout the country, there are homes on
reservations that do not have addresses or do not use a street name.
The postal service does not deliver to these addresses, so they cannot
receive ballots at their homes. Tribes and states must work together
and election funding must be provided to tribes to enact the needed
changes. Learn more and share our online flyer about vote-by-mail
challenges and proposed solutions at [link removed]

Forced to Choose Between Celebration and Spiritual Beliefs

Last year, Larissa Waln (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) was turned away
from her high school graduation. As she entered the stadium with her
classmates, school officials stopped her at the door and would not
allow her to enter and participate in the graduation ceremony. The
reason? Because Larissa was wearing religious attire, namely a beaded
graduation cap that included an eagle plume that had been blessed for
the occasion. On Friday, April 24, 2020, the Waln family, represented
by the Native American Rights Fund and Rothstein Donatelli brought
suit against the school district for its illegal denial of
Larissa's rights. Read about the case at our website at [link removed]

Keystone XL Construction Continues Despite COVID-19

Despite ongoing legal challenges, on April 1, 2020, KXL construction
began. The occupation of the pipeline's "man camps"
is expected before the end of the summer. These camps will house the
thousands of temporary transient workers. Studies have shown that
crime and violence-especially against Native women-grows
exponentially in communities near these camps. But even more
outrageous is that, notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic and social
distancing requirements, man camps filled with workers from across the
country will be built and occupied so close to fragile Native
communities whose health care facilities often already are stretched
thin. The danger is so great that it calls to mind smallpox blankets
and the other instances of outside diseases putting entire Native
communities at risk. NARF Director of Development Donald M. Ragona
(Matinecock) calls on us to end the policy of putting profits over
people at [link removed]

 


Native American Rights Fund
[email protected]
Anchorage 907-276-0680
Boulder 303-447-8760
Washington 202-785-4166

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