Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

January 26, 2022

Many Tribal Governments Fail to Distribute Federal Virus Relief as COVID-19 Surges in January 2022



Dine' volunteer Bitahnii Wilson and friends at K'eh Native Action raise their own funds and deliver water and food to Navajos and Hopis in need as COVID surges. Bitahnii said, "Ya’at’eeh Shi K’eh Greetings Relatives today we delivered an emergency K’eh food box, cleaning supplies, a hand water pump, and a 55 gallon barrel filled with water to a Wide Ruins community member who lost a family elder we use to bring water to. My prayers and condolences to the family."

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News


Many tribal governments have failed to distribute millions, and billions, of federal virus relief funds as COVID-19 surges in Indian country this week.

There is a 53 percent increase this week in coronavirus cases in the Tucson Indian Health service area, which includes Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations. This is closely followed by rapid surges in Oklahoma IHS service area (which includes north Texas and Kansas) and a rapid surge in the Phoenix area.

Native Americans tell Censored News it is difficult to get tested for COVID-19, masks are difficult to obtain, there is little assistance with burials, and even water, food and firewood are difficult to get.

The Navajo government received $2.1 billion eight months ago, in May of 2021, and Dine' are still waiting for American Rescue Plan Act hardship relief checks.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, the Navajo Nation reported 113 new cases and one death. Now, 1,609 Dine' have died from COVID-19.

American Rescue Plan Act funds, top 12 tribal recipients. 


COVID-19 Cases by Indian Health Service Area, Jan. 26, 2022

New Mexico: New COVID-19 Cases Today, Jan. 27, 2022

New Mexico State data shows coronavirus spreading rapidly in schools, nursing homes and businesses in San Juan County, New Mexico.

San Juan County includes the bordertown of Farmington and the northeast portion of the Navajo Nation.

This data was last updated on 01/27/2022 at 01:26 PM

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