Next on Native Bidaské: Brookings Report Examines Underinvestment in Indian Country and What Can Be Done

Despite unprecedented federal investments in tribal nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Country continues to face longstanding funding gaps, and recent federal cuts threaten to make those gaps even wider.

On Friday, August 21, at 12 p.m. ET, Native Bidaské host Levi Rickert will sit down with Robert Maxim of Brookings Metro to discuss a new report examining the persistent underinvestment in tribal communities and what can be done to address it.

The report, “Underinvestment in Indian Country: How Federal and Philanthropic Funding to Native Americans Falls Short, and How to Fix It,” was produced by Brookings Metro in partnership with the American Indian College Fund. It compiles 15 years of federal funding data to examine trends in federal investment in Indian Country and assess where the funding gap stands today.

Maxim said the research began during the Biden administration, when federal officials highlighted record levels of funding for tribal nations. While those investments were significant, conversations with people in Indian Country made clear that years of underinvestment could not be addressed through a temporary increase in funding.

“We are getting record levels of funding, but it’s still not enough,” Maxim said.

The issue has become even more urgent as pandemic-era funding expires and tribal nations face additional federal cuts. Maxim discussed how the loss of temporary funding is affecting programs addressing clean water, pollution abatement, energy and other community needs across the country.

The report also examines the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations.

Maxim explained that those obligations include areas such as health care, education, food and nutrition, and the rights to continue traditional ways of life. He emphasized that these are legal obligations rather than needs-based programs.

“These obligations aren’t needs based,” Maxim said. “They’re not based on DEI. They’re not based on race. They’re debt based.”

Federal funding is only one part of the problem. The report also highlights significant underinvestment from philanthropy. Approximately 0.88% of philanthropic funding goes to Native communities, while only about 0.5% goes to organizations exclusively focused on Indian Country. Maxim pointed to persistent misconceptions about tribal nations as one factor contributing to the lack of philanthropic investment.

The conversation also explores why investing in Indian Country benefits more than tribal communities alone. Maxim points to the economic, health, education and infrastructure benefits that tribal investments can create for surrounding communities as well.

Among the report’s recommendations are greater use of mandatory federal funding, improved access to federal spending data and a more flexible, long-term approach to philanthropic investment. Maxim argues that funders should provide tribal nations and Native-serving organizations with more patient capital, longer grant periods and fewer burdensome reporting requirements.

For tribal leaders, policymakers, advocates and funders, the report raises an important question: What would it take to move Indian Country from temporary investments to sustained, reliable funding?

Rickert and Maxim explore that question and more in this week’s episode of Native Bidaské.

Watch this episode of Native Bidaské on Friday, August 21, at 12 p.m. ET on Native News Online’s Facebook, YouTube, NativeNewsOnline.net, and TikTok.

Watch past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@NativeNewsOnline/streams

This Bidaské episode is brought to you by the American Indian College Fund.

Founded in 1989, the American Indian College Fund is the nation’s largest Native-led and Native-serving charity dedicated to expanding access to higher education for American Indian and Alaska Native students. The College Fund provides scholarships and programmatic support to help students graduate and thrive in their chosen careers. It also supports the 34 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) across the country.

Recently, the College Fund launched Because of You, a campaign honoring tribal college faculty—the heart of Native higher education. Because of You is an expression of gratitude for the dedication, passion, and presence of TCU faculty, and the many ways they support students every day. The centerpiece of the campaign is a powerful tribute video told from students’ perspectives that celebrates learning in community, preserving identity, and realizing dreams. To watch the video and support the American Indian College Fund’s mission, visit: https://collegefund.org/becauseofyou/.