What is the purpose of the CARES Acts?
The CARES Acts was passed by Congress and signed by the President to provide assistance to State, Local and Tribal governments, as well as to provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses to preserve jobs for American industries.
How much money did our Tribe receive in CARES Acts funds?
Our tribe received a total of $54,742,151 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund – CARES Act. This money is federal funding which is administered by the Department of Treasury.
How was the amount of money determined?
The CARES Act funding was distributed to tribal governments throughout Indian Country in three phases.
Phase 1: This funding was distributed based closely on population information obtained from the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Learn more…
Phase 2: This funding was distributed based on the number of government employees and government expenditures each tribe reported. Learn more…
Phase 3: This funding was the final amount awarded after the lawsuit was settled with the Alaska Native Corporations. Learn more…
How much money did our tribe receive during each phase of the distribution process?
$ 44,600,000 CARES Act Fund Phase 1
$ 7,708,035 CARES Act Fund Phase 2
$ 2,434,116 CARES Act Fund Phase 3
$ 54,742,151 Total CARES Act Fund
Where all enrolled tribal members included in the calculation used by the federal government to determine how much money our tribe received in CARES Acts Funds?
Many people think that the money was calculated based on the total number of tribal members – even those that live off the reservation but that is not true. Therefore, calculation was only based on those living on reservation.
What is the process used by the Tribe to determine which projects were to be funded by the TM CARES Acts Fund?
The TMBCI Tribal Council adopted and followed a five-phased approach which included 1) compiling a list of possible projects, 2) assuring compliance with federal regulations, 3) formulating a budget, 4) appropriating the funds, and 5) implementing the spend plan.
Who was involved in making the decisions regarding the distribution of the TM Cares Acts funds?
The Tribal Council led the effort and sought input and involvement from numerous stakeholders including the tribal community, tribal departments and programs, federal and state partner, and trusted consultants.
What is the plan?
The TM CARES plan describes in great deal the approved projects and expenditures which will be funded by the $54.7 million dollars received by TMBCI through the Coronavirus Relief Fund – CARES Acts.
What are examples of the type of projects funded by the TM CARES Fund?
- Repair the most dangerous roads on the reservation that prevent public safety (EMTs, fire,
police, and child welfare) from responding to tribal members timely and safely - Build an emergency response center in Dunseith
- Provide over 1,300 Chromebooks to elementary and middle school students and 250 at home learning tools for Head Start students
- Install camera systems in multiple schools on the reservation to allow “live” virtual teaching
- Improvements to tribal court buildings that will allow jurors six feet apart and to catch up on cases that have built up during the stay-at-home orders
- Funds appropriated to keep homeless youth safe
- Three months of utility bills paid for all on-reservation tribal members
- CARES Baskets for tribal members that have come in contact with COVID-19
- COVID-19 homes where tribal members can quarantine safely
- Fund to support tribal members for medical appointments – especially those in need of critical care.
- Support for our relatives in Trenton to expand a COVID care clinic
- COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and other support to be sure tribal members have access to testing when needed