Fawn Sharp

If a Tribal Nation says we have a sacred site, this is where we have an identity, the United States must honor that.

It is necessary to re-engage and honor the relationship that the United States has with the Tribal Nations going forward if we are going to continue to work through this issue in a way that ensures the trust responsibility is upheld.

The issue of consultation for Tribal Nations, it is one that ensures that we have political equality with another sovereign, with our trustee, the United States.

As the 117th Congress commences, Indian Country is in a national emergency that while intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic has its roots in the Federal Government's neglect of its fiduciary obligations to Indian Country.

We need more funding. There is just simply no way around being able to build what we need to do to provide safe water without additional resources.

We have an effective death sentence right now facing this pandemic.

We need to be able to support the Tribes in taking over their healthcare facilities.

We urge the committee to appropriate funds to help Tribes prepare to respond to climate change.

It has been a direct impact on patient care, and you are right, and the reputation of the place. So, it is hard to recruit.

I believe this Country, the United States, began to embark on a path to heal the soul of Indian Country.

Good domestic policy will recognize and embrace our long and traditional histories, our cultures, our values that are unique to Indian Country.

A last recommendation that we would like to offer is for Congress to appropriate $12 million to allow capacity building for indigenous peoples to participate in international conferences worldwide.