- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council met with United States Treasurer Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba (Mohegan Tribe) on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Representing the Navajo Nation Council were Delegates Vince James, Germaine Simonson, Eugenia Charles-Newton, and Nathan Notah.
Malerba was appointed in June 2022 by President Joe Biden. She is the first Native American to ever serve as treasurer of the United States.
The meeting with Malerba included representatives from the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), who joined the meeting to discuss concerns and offer insights pertaining to various crucial issues impacting Indian Council. These issues included economic development, taxation, and the utilization of funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). COLT comprises individuals from prominent Indian tribes across Indian Country, who form an advocacy group focused on addressing issues encountered by American Indian tribes with land holdings exceeding 100,000 acres.
Before assuming her role as Treasurer, Ms. Malerba achieved another significant milestone by becoming the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe in 2010. She holds the distinction of being the first female Chief in the tribe's modern history. Her prior roles include serving as Chairwoman of the Tribal Council and holding the position of Executive Director of Health and Human Services for her tribe.
As Treasurer, Ms. Malerba's responsibilities encompass overseeing the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs within the U.S. Treasury. This office is dedicated to fostering communication with tribal nations and serves as the central hub for tribal policy. In addition to her role in the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, Treasurer Malerba has direct oversight of the U.S. Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Fort Knox, and plays a pivotal role as a key liaison with the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, she serves as a senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury in the domains of community development and public engagement.
During the course of their discussions, the Navajo Nation Council Delegates and COLT tribal leaders addressed the progress made in deploying ARPA funds. They also emphasized the urgent need for federal regulatory adjustments to facilitate a more expeditious utilization of federal funds by tribal nations. The current federal regulations and duplicative requirements pose significant obstacles for many tribes across the nation, often imposing more stringent conditions compared to other governmental entities.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (May 12, 2024): D.C. BriefsChickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby leads Ribbon Cutting for Lakecrest Casino and Hotel in Carter County
North Dakota's 180-Degree Turn in Redistricting Case Sparks Outcry from MHA Nation
Navajo Speaker Curley: The Issue of Missing & Murdered Diné Rooted in Colonization
New Podcast Highlights Native CDFIs and Small Businesses Driving Economic Transformation in Native Communities
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
