Hello,

My name is Julie Johnson. I'm a member of the Lummi Nation and the Chair of the Washington Democrat's Native American Caucus. I'm writing to you today to talk about the devastating shortfalls in Federal funding that Native American communities are receiving and what my friend, Congressman Derek Kilmer, is doing to help.

Recently, Derek wrote a letter to the Biden Administration which highlighted the Federal Government's continuous failures to provide proper funding or adequately support Native American people and tribes.

Let's be clear, friend, this is not a new problem.

Since the beginning, the Federal Government has failed to fulfill its treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. In fact, at Derek’s urging, the US Commission on Civil Rights produced a deep-dive into decades of broken promises. Due to this fraught history, developing trust between Native American communities and the Federal Government is not an easy task. But Derek is committed to doing what it takes to repair harm and ensure our communities have the resources we need, both in the wake of this devastating pandemic and for the future.

That's why he called on the Biden Administration to include crucial funding increases for Tribal Communities in President Biden's next budget request. Ultimately, Congress will be responsible for appropriating these funds, but I know from experience that Derek will work hard and work with us to secure the necessary funding we need. In fact, Derek’s leadership in highlighting these issues and fighting for the funding we need led to him receiving the Congressional Leadership Award from the National Congress of American Indians this past year. But he knows there’s plenty more to do.

Friend, it's past time the Federal Government finally fulfills its obligations to Native American communities. To stand in solidarity with Tribal Nations, add your name next to Derek's in our call for President Biden to rush support and relief to Native American people and tribes.

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Thank you for reading,

Julie

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People for Derek Kilmer
PO Box 1381
Tacoma WA 98402 United States

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