WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell joined Chairman Dorgan and other members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in commemorating November as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

 

“It is fitting that we take the month of November to recognize and celebrate the culture, traditions, heritage, and the many contributions Native Americans and Alaska Natives have made to the United States, " said Cantwell. “With approximately 4 million American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the United States, 93,000 of whom reside in Washington state, our government has a responsibility and a moral obligation to improve the welfare of Native Americans throughout the nation.   As a member of the Indian Affairs Committee, I will continue to fight for increased economic and educational opportunities, improved access to healthcare, and protection of civil rights of America’s indigenous people.”

 

Since being elected to Congress, Cantwell has made working on behalf of Native Americans a priority. She supported the Indian Health Improvement Act, which will modernize health care services and delivery, address behavioral and mental health, and allow for in-home health care for the Indian elderly population.  This bill ensures that all Indian health care programs receive adequate federal funding to expand access to health care and limit out-of-pocket expenses for Native Americans.

 

Cantwell was also a co-sponsor of the Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 (NAHASDA) to help simplify federal housing assistance for Native Americans by condensing several programs into a single block grant program. The legislation passed early this year and creates a new initiative for Self-Determined Housing Activities that would allow recipients of grants to be more creative with the use of granted funds for housing purposes and reduce Housing and Urban Development (HUD) control. In addition, it expands the list of activities that funds can be used for without prior HUD approval. This now includes maintenance and rehabilitation, infrastructure and mold control, as well as expands multi-purpose communal spaces like day cares, laundromats, and community centers.  

 

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