In a historic move, the Wrangell Cooperative Association has become the first Native tribe in Alaska to receive a federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden’s administration. This decision comes in response to a deadly landslide in the Southeast Alaska community that claimed the lives of six people in November 2023. This declaration marks a significant milestone for tribal governments statewide, as it allows for more individualized relief for natural disaster victims within Alaska Native tribes.
Kelbie Kennedy, a National Tribal Affairs Advocate at FEMA, emphasized the importance of streamlining the assistance process for tribal communities in times of crisis. By cutting down on bureaucratic red tape, the new approach aims to offer holistic support to aid in the recovery process. Kennedy highlighted the broader impact of such disasters, stressing the need to not only rebuild homes but also preserve subsistence lifestyles and cultural traditions.
With over 200 tribal nations in Alaska, this change is expected to benefit many residents in rebuilding their communities post-disaster. While tribes still need presidential approval for disaster declarations, the new system is designed to expedite relief efforts to villages and smaller Alaskan communities in a more efficient manner.
The declaration for Wrangell represents the fourth tribal individual assistance declaration since tribes were granted this authority in 2013. This move sets a precedent for other tribal nations to seek direct aid from the government for both individual and community-wide relief efforts. Overall, this development marks a significant step forward in providing crucial support to Native tribes and communities in Alaska during times of crisis.
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