Seneca Nation praises Senator Schumer for leadership in including relief to Native nations in American Rescue Plan
Seneca Nation President Matthew Pagels issued the following statement regarding relief measures for Native nations that were included in the American Rescue Plan passed by the U.S. House of Representatives:
“The American Rescue Plan is a significant achievement that will deliver widespread, much-needed relief to Indian Country.
The health and economic impacts of COVID-19 on Native Nations has been devastating. For the past year, Native governments and our people have grappled with disproportionately high infection rates, tragic losses and mounting economic burdens, while also implementing plans for widespread COVID testing, treatment and vaccination in our respective communities. When it came time to deliver this infusion of economic aid, Indian Country had no stronger or more committed advocate than U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Sen. Schumer fought to make sure that the needs and concerns of Native people were not ignored, and we would be included in this relief plan so our communities and our people can participate in the national recovery – physically, socially and economically.
Thanks to the Senator’s leadership, our governments will have the resources necessary to support not only our ongoing COVID response efforts, but critical education, infrastructure, housing and economic development efforts as well. Majority Leader Schumer has proven himself, time and again, to be a staunch supporter of Native people across the United States. The Seneca Nation thanks him for his leadership and staunch dedication to building true nation-to-nation relationships with Native governments.”
