Native Americans

Last week the National Congress of American Indians Executive Council held their 2012 winter session, focusing on legislative issues and the Obama administration’s 2012 agenda.

Last week the Obama Administration and the Department of Interior released the draft plan for implementing the Cobell Land Consolidation Program. In the works since May 2011, in consultation with tribal leaders, the Cobell Land Consolidation Program will facilitate the voluntary buy-back of fractioned trust and restricted free land interests owned by individual American Indians.

After 23 consecutive months of job growth and the signing of 18 small business tax cuts, it should be clear that President Obama and the Democratic Party understand the vital role small businesses play in our economy. After all, small businesses have been responsible for 2 out of every 3 new jobs in the U.S. and employ half of workers in the U.S. That is why the President has kept small businesses in mind with every piece of legislation that has come to his desk.

On February 8 the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $404 million in Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) to be allocated to nearly 300 tribes in 27 states to be used for a range of affordable housing activities.