and drop off mail-in ballots at their local tribal government buildings; requires election officials to accept tribal government-issued or BIA identification cards; and it requires written translations in indigenous languages for ballot information upon a request by a tribal government. The bill also enables tribal governments to request federal election observers to prevent discrimination against Native voters, and it requires the U.S. Attorney General to consult annually with Indian tribes regarding issues impacting the ability of Native Americans to vote. The Native Vote is non-partisan – Indian affairs issues cross all party lines. At its core, tribal governments fight for local control, freedom from state government infringement on tribal sovereignty, decreased impact from federal actions, and for parity and respect as governments for purposes of all federal laws and programs. At the same time, Indian tribes demand that the United States fully fund and meet solemn treaty and trust obligations. Indian tribes and tribal organizations nationwide call on the House and Senate to advance the Native American Voting Rights Act to final passage prior to the November 3, 2020 election. Re-Opening In The Covid-19 Era: by Walter Lamar As we have reopened or plan to open or are readying to expand a limited opening, it is critical every aspect is examined through the lens of Threat - the thing that causes, destruction, harm or injury. Risk, the likelihood or probability of the threat occurring. Vulnerably, the gaps or openings giving threat a way in. Of course, the threat we are facing is COVID-19, aka the Coronavirus and in our context those threatened are our tribal citizens - where the greatest danger is - employees, vendors and patrons. Aside from the health threat, there is also a threat to reputational integrity and even the threat of liability. Risk is a trickier to assess - first there is the unknown - how exactly is COVID transmitted - we now have more evidence that it is airborne, but still there is much to be learned. Because of its 5 to 14 day incubation period, we could be involved in a major outbreak and not even know it. Is there a risk, absolutely - all we have to do is just look at the numbers, infections and death - I don’t even like to use stats because I think we in this country are getting calloused and are starting to just see digits and not lives. Vulnerability - we are vulnerable and each of our populations have different aspects of those vulnerabilities - what does that mean? A vendor may only be in an area after hours or just at a loading dock, limited contact. While a tribal member employee at the player loyalty counter might be engaged with a significant number of patrons. So, we must understand everything there is to know about the threat - and that is an ever changing terrain. Contact surfaces verses airborne - the various behaviors of airborne microbes. Imagine what we have learned in this past 6 months and what we will learn over the next 6 months. We have to be constantly evaluating risk, no matter how elusive that may be. Just monitoring infection numbers in your area is not enough.
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