President’s budget dramatically increases money to Indian country

WASHINGTON – Dramatic spending increases in President Barack Obama’s first proposed budget extend to several Indian country programs in the areas of health, law enforcement and education.

“The president’s budget overview released in February 2009 provides a broad look at the administration’s priorities for the coming year,” according to a fact sheet released by the White House on proposed Native American-focused funding.

“Specific details for individual government departments and agencies will be available with the full budget in April. But, already, key priorities for the Native American community are starting to take shape.”

One of Obama’s top Indian country priorities involves increasing funding for the perennially underfunded IHS; his budget allocates more than $4 billion.

The White House said the funding proposal for IHS is one of the largest increases in 20 years.

And that may be just the beginning. According to the White House fact sheet, “the budget begins a multiyear investment in the Indian health system to expand care and develop prevention initiatives that will address persistent health disparities.”

The budget proposal is in addition to the funding for IHS already included in the recently signed stimulus law, which provided $500 million for construction, equipment and improvements at Indian health care centers.

In terms of law enforcement and education, the president’s budget includes more than $100 million in increased funding to the BIA. More funding is available through the Departments of Justice and Education.

“These funds will strengthen tribal courts, detention centers and police programs to help Native Americans protect their communities,” stated the fact sheet. “The president’s budget also increases funding for tribal colleges and scholarships and provides funding earlier in the academic year, giving the colleges greater financial security.”

Leaders with United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota have hailed the proposal. They noted that the $4 million in the president’s budget designated for the tribal college is the first time in eight years that the institution has been included in a presidential budget.

UTTC’s overview is congruent with Obama’s assessment that his budget will reverse the “misplaced priorities” of the Bush administration.