- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rejected the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s motion to block the Treasury Department from sending out the CARES Act relief until it takes a second look at the breakdown per tribe.
The Prairie Band argued yesterday afternoon during a hearing that the Treasury Department allocated $4.8 billion in funds in its first distribution round based on the Indian Housing Block Grant formula population, rather than enrollment numbers. The tribe maintains it was shorted close to $8 million because the Treasury Department paid the tribe an amount based on 883 tribal citizens, instead of its enrollment of over 4,500 citizens.
“Those numbers are right there and could have been used if they had problems with the data that the tribes were submitting,” Carol Heckman, a Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman attorney representing the Prairie Band attorney, said during the Thursday afternoon hearing.
Heckman argued that the Treasury’s formula did not take into consideration the Prairie Band’s tribal citizens who live away from the reservation located in Mayetta, Kansas.
“They are still enrolled members. They still get the benefits of enrolled membership, but they don’t happen to live right there. They still go back to the health clinics,” Heckman said.
On Thursday evening, Judge Mehta ruled against the motion that called for the court to hold off the disbursement of the second round of CARES Act funds by the Treasury Department, $3.2 billion-or 40 percent still owed to tribes-for 21 days.
In his ruling, the judge said the court lacked jurisdiction to determine the appropriateness of the Treasury’s formula. Further, the judge said it was not fair to other tribes in Indian Country to make other tribal governments wait any longer for the funds that are due to be distributed to tribes on April 26, 2020.
The ruling by Judge Mehta allowed the Treasury Department began its second round distribution to begin immediately. During yesterday’s hearing a Treasury Department attorney said the department could begin the distribution Friday, but no later than Monday, June 15.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
With Kristi Noem's Move to DC, South Dakota Tribes Seek a Fresh Start in Relations with New Governor
Native News Weekly (January 26, 2025): D.C. Briefs
The Association on American Indian Affairs Announces Three New Board of Directors Members
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
