WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Vice Chairman of the Committee, led a roundtable discussion, titled “Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in Native Communities,” to hear directly from tribal and Native organization leaders on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act programs serving Native communities.
“Last Congress, we passed two big bills making historic investments to bolster our nation’s infrastructure and support climate solutions,” said Chairman Schatz. “The administration is doing a great job so far, but there’s a lot to be done. … Let this [roundtable] be the beginning of a longer-term dialogue with all of the participants, but also across Indian Country and Native communities in Hawaii and Alaska.”
“Native communities know best how to use these once-in-a-generation investments to address their wide-ranging infrastructure needs,” said Vice Chairman Murkowski. “Federal agencies must ensure no community is left out of these funding opportunities. I thank the tribal leaders and advocates for their insights into how these investments make the most difference in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.”
The following panelists participated in the roundtable:
- Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation – Nespelem, WA
- Chairman Jacob Keyes of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma – Perkins, OK
- Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma of the Hopi Tribe – Kykotsmovi, AZ
- Chairwoman Sherry Parker of the Hualapai Tribe – Peach Springs, AZ
- Shawn Malia Kanaʻiaupuni, President & Chief Executive Officer of Partners in Development Foundation – Honolulu, HI
- Jasmine Boyle, Chief Development Officer, Rural Alaska Community Action Program – Anchorage, AK
- Susan Masten, Acting Executive Director, Native American Finance Officers Association – Washington, D.C.
