New Executive Order 20-05
Video update on Mescalero Apache Tribe official Facebook page and more details coming soon.
Mescalero Apache Tribe announces second positive test for Coronavirus on the reservation
MESCALERO, NM
May 22, 2020. Last night, another Mescalero Apache Reservation resident tested positive for COVID-19. The resident is elderly and is hospitalized. This second positive case arose just hours after the Tribe’s first case.
“At this time, we need to come together as a community. Stay home. Wear a facemask. If you are contacted for testing, then please comply. If you may have been exposed, please contact Indian Health Service or the Tribe immediately,” Tribal President Gabe Aguilar stated. He added, “Our first case was discovered because the person came in on their own – they did the right thing. You need to as well. Think about your community.
President Aguilar indicated that the Tribe will be issuing citations for violations of the Tribe’s coronavirus restrictions. President Aguilar commented, “We will be pushing for maximum penalties. We are taking this very seriously.”
The Tribe will provide updates on its official website (www.mescaleroapachetribe.com) and Facebook page.
Mescalero Apache Tribe announces first positive test for Coronavirus on the reservation
MESCALERO, NM.
May 21, 2020. Earlier today, the Mescalero Apache Tribe was informed that a Reservation resident tested positive for COVID-19. The resident is not exhibiting symptoms and tested voluntarily. The resident will be quarantined and monitored closely.
President Gabe Aguilar asked Tribal members to stay calm: “We are doing everything we can to make sure that the individual that tested positive receives appropriate treatment and that the individual is isolated. There is no immediate threat to your safety. Please continue to follow the Tribe’s Executive Orders and health expert recommendations for social distancing, face masks, and hand washing.”
While most of Indian Country had been hit hard by the coronavirus, the Mescalero Apache Tribe was one of the only tribes in the country to have zero positive cases until today. The Tribe’s COVID-19 Response Unit has been meeting since mid-March to develop isolation plans and make other preparations. President Aguilar stated, “We were blessed to have gone so long with zero cases. I am proud of my community for stepping up. Because of your efforts to stay safe, we were able to prepare for this day.”
The Tribe will provide updates on its official website (www.mescaleroapachetribe.com) and Facebook page.
Dear Tribal Members
Mescalero receives $13.5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding
MESCALERO, NM.
May 14, 2020. Recently, the Mescalero Apache Tribe received $13.5 million to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The funding was provided to Mescalero through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), passed by Congress on April 22nd. The CARES Act set aside $8 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CRF”) for specifically for tribes. The U.S. Treasury Department released 60% of the CRF funding to tribes last week. The amount of funding received by each tribe was determined by population. “The Tribe is grateful for this money. We closed our casino to stop the spread of the coronavirus in our community and in neighboring communities. Now we have almost zero revenue coming in. We have to keep our community safe until this is over – the need for this money is huge,” stated Mescalero Apache Tribal President Gabe Aguilar.
Mescalero advocated for flexible rules for how the CRF funding could be used. But the Treasury Department issued strict guidelines governing the use of the funding. President Aguilar noted: “The Tribe has many needs and some of these needs result indirectly from COVID-19. These are legitimate needs, but this funding cannot be used.” He continued, “I know people will think that we can spend the money on anything we want – I want it to be clear that this money is restricted to COVID-19 needs”.
In line with these guidelines, yesterday, the Mescalero Apache Tribal Council, using its CRF funds, established an economic support program where each eligible Tribal member over the age of eighteen (18) can receive a $1,000 economic support payment. “This payment can be used to pay for food, electricity and other needs. Everyone is suffering the economic impacts of COVID-19. Please apply as soon as possible,” stated President Aguilar. Payments will be made by June 1, 2020.
The remaining 40% of the tribal funding in the CRF will be allocated depending on the outcome of a lawsuit filed by several tribes against the federal government. The lawsuit revolves around the issue of whether Alaskan Native Corporations are eligible to receive funding from the CRF or not. The Treasury Department has indicated that the remaining funding will be allocated according to factors like the number of individuals employed by and the annual revenue of each tribe. Mescalero opposes the possible distribution of monies from the CRF to ANCs and previously called for the resignation of the Department of Interior’s Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Tara Sweeney, for her involvement in efforts to include ANCs.
Attention Tribal Members
New Executive Order 20-04 signed by President Aguilar
New event!
Integrated Optics for Undergraduate Native Americans (IOU-NA) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program
Mescalero Apache High School students, Joseph Foy (Junior) and Michael Brusuelas, (Senior)were accepted into the 2020 Summer Undergraduate Research for Native Americans (IOU-NA program) at the University of Arizona in Tucson Az.
What is IOU-NA?
The Integrated Optics for Undergraduate Native Americans (IOU-NA) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program is designed for Native American students interested in participating in hands-on research opportunities in top laboratories in optics and photonics, as well as in hydrology, astronomy, soil sciences, atmospheric sciences, and environmental sciences. Selected students are paired with a research project complementing their interests and goals.
IOU-NA students will also participate in Native American focused workshops facilitated by University of Arizona’s Native American-serving entities, gain hands-on experience in CIAN’s culturally relevant two-week Native American focused Optics Research Workshop (ORW), attend presentations given by Native American STEM graduate students and faculty, as well as participate in other activities designed to support Native American Undergraduate students. Pictures from our IOU-NA Event are included below.
Congratulations Mescalero students – what a great achievement!