Tribes In Wisconsin

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Congress has passed several rounds of financial assistance and relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including most recently the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021.

UPDATE: The Department of Treasury has released new guidance on Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Tribal Governments. Click here for more details (as of 05.10.2021).

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $31.2 billion to Native communities – the single largest infusion of dedicated resources to Native communities in U.S. history. This investment includes:

To view a comprehensive resource guide of the $31.2 billion available for Native communities click here. 

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Updated 05.13.21

Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorizes $20 billion in direct funding through various Coronavirus Recovery Funds established at the Department of the Treasury for Tribal governments.

Click here to learn more about Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Tribal Governments.

Additional Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds resources provided by the Treasury for Tribal governments:

How can recipient Tribal governments use relief allocations from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds? 

Recipients may use these funds to:

Within these categories of eligible uses, Tribal governments have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their local communities. Further, in recognition of the pandemic's disproportionate public health and economic impacts in Tribal communities, the following services are also eligible when provided by a Tribal government:

How are these funds allocated?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the "Act") allocates $20 billion to Tribal governments, directing that (i) $1 billion is to be allocated equally among eligible Tribal governments and (ii) $19 billion is to be allocated to Tribal governments in a manner determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Treasury has developed the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Tribal Government Allocation Methodology, which incorporates important feedback that Tribal leaders shared during five Treasury-hosted Tribal consultations in late March and early April of 2021. In these consultations, Treasury requested and received input from Tribal leaders regarding the allocation methodology, use of funds, and administrative activities such as reporting and compliance.

Of the $19 billion that the Act directs Treasury to allocate, Treasury’s allocation methodology provides that 65% of these funds, or $12.35 billion, will be distributed based on pro rata, self-certified Tribal enrollment (“Enrollment Allocation”). Treasury will distribute the remaining 35% of these funds, or $6.65 billion, based on self-certified Tribal employment data (“Employment Allocation”).

Treasury will use self-certified enrollment numbers submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in April 2021 for the Enrollment Allocation. Treasury will use the 2019 employment data submitted to Treasury in May 2020 in connection with the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund for the Employment Allocation and will require that Tribal governments confirm these numbers.

How do eligible Tribal recipients request funding?

Eligible Tribal governments may now request their allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the Treasury Submission Portal.

Click here to access the Treasury Submission Portal.

What is the payment structure for Tribal Governments?

First Payment: Each Tribal government’s first payment will include (i) an amount in respect of the $1 billion allocation that is to be divided equally among eligible Tribal governments and (ii) each Tribal government’s pro rata share of the Enrollment Allocation.

To receive the first payment, Tribal governments must submit their information online through the Treasury Submission Portal. After a Tribal government’s submission is received, it will take approximately 4-5 business days to review and process. The point of contact that a Tribal government designates in its online submission will receive status updates. Once the information and documentation submitted is determined to be complete and accurate, this point of contact will receive information regarding the timing and amount of the first payment.

The deadline to complete the first submission is May 24, 2021 11:59 PM PST.

Second Payment: Treasury will make a second payment to Tribal governments in respect of the Employment Allocation after Tribal governments confirm their 2019 employment numbers. In mid-May, Tribal governments will receive a notification requesting that they log into the Treasury Submission Portal to confirm or amend their 2019 employment numbers previously submitted to Treasury in May 2020 in connection with the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.

The deadline for confirming or amending a Tribal government’s 2019 employment numbers is June 7, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST. If a Tribal government does not confirm or amend employment numbers by that deadline, the Tribal government will not be eligible to receive a share of the Employment Allocation.

Following the June 7, 2021 deadline, Treasury will calculate each Tribal government’s pro rata share of the Employment Allocation for those Tribal governments that confirmed or submitted amended employment numbers. In mid-June, Treasury will communicate to Tribal governments the amount of their portion of the Employment Allocation and the anticipated date for the second payment.

To protect the privacy of Tribal government information, each Tribal government will receive its first payment allocation amount after submitting its request for funding in the Treasury Submission Portal. Similarly, to protect the privacy of Tribal government information, each Tribal government will receive its second payment allocation amount after confirming employment numbers in the Treasury Submission Portal.

I have specific questions. How do I contact Treasury?

The newly established Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund authorizes $100,000,000 in direct funding for the Department of the Treasury to make equal payments of no less than $50,000 to each Tribal government to carry out critical capital projects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It defines a “Tribal government” as the recognized governing body of any federally recognized Tribe identified on the Department of the Interior’s Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act list.

Treasury will begin to accept Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund program applications for review in the summer of 2021 and will issue guidance before that date.

Click here for more information about the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and sign up to receive updates (as of 05.10.21)

The newly established Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund authorizes $500,000,000 in direct funding for the Department of the Treasury to make payments to Tribal governments for any governmental activity (aside from lobbying). It defines a “Tribal government” as the recognized governing body of any federally recognized Tribe identified on the Department of the Interior’s Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act list. These funds will be distributed over two fiscal years and will remain available until the end of FY2023.

How will the $6,094,000,000 in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Indian Health Service (IHS) sec. 11001 funding be allocated?

The ARPA requires IHS to divide the $6,094,000,000 provided in Sec. 11001 among the following activities:

The ARPA provides broad flexibility in determining the allocation of funds within these seven categories to ensure Tribes and urban Indian health programs’ unique needs are addressed. The IHS has already announced a Tribal consultation on March 17th and an urban confer on March 15th to seek input on how to allocate funds within these seven categories.

How long will ARPA IHS Sec. 11001 funding remain available?

All ARPA IHS funds will remain available until expended.

Can the ARPA IHS funding in Sec. 11001 be used to cover retroactive eligible expenses my Tribal Health Program or Urban Indian Health Program have already incurred while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes. In addition to new expenses, ARPA IHS Sec. 11001 funds can be used to cover eligible COVID-19 related expenses incurred since January 31, 2020.

Does the IHS funding provide support to address my Tribe’s immediate sanitation and water infrastructure needs?

Yes. The ARPA specifies that IHS must use $600,000,000 to address construction, maintenance, and sanitation projects. The ARPA provides broad flexibility to determine the allocation of these funds among different infrastructure activities so that Tribes and urban Indian health programs’ unique needs are addressed. Interested Tribes should plan to participate in IHS’s ARPA consultation, which begins on March 17, 2021.

Which ARPA IHS Sec. 11001 funds are urban Indian health programs eligible for?

In addition to being eligible for $84,000,000 in direct funding, urban Indian health programs are also eligible under ARPA to receive funding from the other IHS categories. Interested urban Indian health programs should plan to participate in IHS’s ARPA confer period, which begins on March 15, 2021.

How will the $900,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Sec. 11002 funding be allocated? 

The ARPA requires BIA to divide the $900,000,000 provided in Sec. 11002 among the following activities: 

The ARPA provides broad flexibility in determining the allocation of funds within these four categories to ensure Tribes and Tribal organizations unique needs are addressed. Tribes should reach out to the BIA to inquire when the agency will schedule ARPA consultation sessions to seek input on allocation of funds within these four categories. 

How long will ARPA BIA Sec. 11002 funding remain available? 

All ARPA BIA funds will remain available until expended. 

If my Tribe receives support through BIA’s “Small and Needy” program, will ARPA BIA Sec. 11002 funds impact our continued participation in the “Small and Needy” program? 

No. ARPA BIA funds will be excluded from calculations used to determine participation in the “Small and Needy” program. 

How will the $750,000,000 in Native housing funding be allocated? 

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to divide the $750,000,000 provided in Sec. 11003 among the following activities: 

How long will ARPA Native housing funding in Sec. 110003 remain available? 

All ARPA Native housing funds provided through Sec. 110003 will remain available until September 30, 2025. 

Can ARPA Native housing Sec. 11003 funds be used to cover retroactive eligible expenses my Tribe or TDHE incurred while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Yes. In addition to new expenses, ARPA Native housing Sec. 11003 funds can be used to cover eligible COVID-19 related expenses incurred since January 21, 2020. 

Are the ARPA IHBG and ICDBG Sec. 11003 funds subject to the same statutory and regulatory limitations that apply to these programs generally? 

No. The ARPA recognizes that Tribes need broader flexibility to access and use ARPA funds in a way that makes sense for their communities’ unique COVID-19 needs. The ARPA allows HUD to waive or alter any statutory or regulatory provisions related to IHBG and ICDBG necessary to expedite and facilitate the use of ARPA funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment). Tribes should reach out to HUD to inquire how the agency will determine what ARPA waivers and alternative requirements will govern the use of these funds. 

Which Tribes and TDHEs are eligible to receive ARPA IHBG funding? 

The ARPA requires that HUD distribute IHBG funding to Tribes and TDHEs using its FY 2021 allocation formula, which provided funding to over 590 eligible entities. 

Can Tribes that do not participate in IHBG receive ARPA IHBG funding? 

Tribes that do not participate in the annual IHBG program are eligible to receive IHBG funding provided by Sec. 11003 unless they have proactively opted out of the program. 

What happens if any of the $450,000,000 reserved for IHBG funds in Sec. 110003 is returned or recaptured? 

Any ARPA IHBG funds returned or recaptured will be transferred for ARPA ICDBG use to ensure ARPA Native housing funds remain in Indian Country. 

Can my Tribe use ARPA ICDBG Sec. 11003 funds for its own planning and management expenses? 

Yes. Tribes may use up to 20% of any ARPA ICDBG funds they receive for planning, management, and administration costs. 

Can my Tribe use ARPA ICDBG Sec. 11003 funds for public services? 

Yes. Tribes may use up to 100% of any ARPA ICDBG funds they receive for eligible public service activities related to their COVID-19 response (e.g., employment, public safety, child care, public health, education, energy conservation services). 

Will the $280,000,000 in ARPA ICDBG funds be competitive? 

HUD has yet to determine whether it may use its waiver authority under the ARPA ICDBG provisions to allow funds to be awarded using the CARES ICDBG “first-come-first-served”. Tribes interested in this matter should contact HUD. 

Who is eligible to receive an American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grant authorized under Sec. 11004? 

Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Alaska Native organizations, Native American Pacific Islander organizations, and other agencies/organizations eligible to receive assistance from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) are eligible to receive an ARPA Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grant. The full list of entities eligible to receive ANA assistance can be found at 42 U.S.C. 2991b(a).

What is the process for receiving an ARPA Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grant authorized under Sec. 110004? 

The ARPA provides broad flexibility to establish the new Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grant program, but requires the ANA to finalize the grant program parameters within 180 days of ARPA enactment (i.e., September 7, 2021). Native communities should reach out to the ANA to inquire about how the agency will determine what parameters will govern this new grant. 

Will ARPA Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grants require the same application materials as other ANA language grants? 

No. The ARPA explicitly exempts the newly established Native Language COVID-19 Emergency Preservation and Maintenance grant program from the application requirements that apply to the ANA’s existing language grants. 

How will the $850,000,000 in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Sec. 11005 funding be allocated? 

The ARPA provides broad flexibility to determine the allocation of BIE Sec. 11005 funds so that Tribes, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Tribal BIE school leaders, and BIE and TCU students and parents’ unique needs are addressed. However, the ARPA requires the BIE Director to establish the method for allocating these funds among administrative activities, BIE K-12 schools and dormitories, and TCUs within 45 days of ARPA enactment (i.e., April 25, 2021). Anyone interested in weighing in on the method for allocating these funds should reach out to the BIE to inquire when the agency will schedule ARPA consultation sessions. 

How long will ARPA BIE Sec. 11005 funding remain available? 

All ARPA BIE Sec. 11005 funds will remain available until expended. 

What types of activities and costs can ARPA BIE Sec. 11005 funding be used for? 

The ARPA recognizes that TCUs, BIE schools, and BIE dormitories need broad flexibility to use ARPA funds in a way that makes sense for their communities’ unique COVID-19 needs. For example, while some schools may need support for expanding broadband access, other schools may need funds to modernize ventilation systems or provide student and staff supportive services. Anyone interested in weighing in on the scope of allowable uses for these funds should reach out to the BIE to inquire when the agency will schedule ARPA consultation sessions. 

How will the $190,000,000 in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Native education Sec. 11006 funding be allocated? 

The ARPA requires the Department of Education to divide the $190,000,000 provided in Sec. 11006 as follows: 

The ARPA provides broad flexibility to determine the allocation method of funds within these three categories to ensure Tribal education agencies and Native organizations’ unique needs are addressed. However, the ARPA requires the Department to establish the method for allocating these three sets of funds within 180 days of ARPA enactment (i.e., September 7, 2021). Anyone interested in weighing in on the allocation of these funds should reach out to the Department with inquires and input. 

How long will ARPA Native education Sec. 11006 funding remain available? 

All ARPA Sec. 11006 funds will remain available until expended. 

What can Tribal education agencies use ARPA Sec. 11006 funding for? 

Tribal education agencies that receive ARPA Sec. 11006 funding may use these funds for any of the purposes identified in Elementary and Secondary Education Act section 6121(c) (20 U.S.C. 7441(c)). Examples of allowable activities include student guidance/counseling services, additional instruction opportunities, bilingual/bicultural programs, and student health and nutrition services. 

For general information and resources about coronavirus for Wisconsinites, please click here.

For information and resources about coronavirus for Wisconsin small businesses, please click here.

For more information about the bipartisan CARES Act and how the law supports Wisconsin Tribes, please click here.

For a section by section summary of the bipartisan CARES Act, please click here.