FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The U.S. Treasury Department says it will begin distributing billions in coronavirus relief funding to tribes.
The announcement Tuesday comes more than a week after a congressional deadline to get $8 billion to tribal governments. Tribes sued to keep the funding from Alaska Native corporations, which own Native land but aren't tribal governments.
The Treasury Department says tribes will receive a combined $4.8 billion based on population over the next several days and the rest will be doled out later.
The Navajo Nation said it would get more than $600 million.
However, what is being distributed is only 60% of the money, meaning the Alaska Native corporations will continue to get aid, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement Tuesday.
"It's shameful that the first citizens of this country are having to fight over and over for what is rightfully ours. Alaska Native Corporations should not receive funds that were specifically allocated for federally-recognized tribes," Nez said.
Tribes are relying on the money to stay afloat, respond to the coronavirus and recover after shutting down casinos, tourism operations and other businesses.