Indian Country

The 3rd Congressional District is rich in culture and tradition. It includes 15 Pueblo tribes, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Navajo Nation. The indigenous communities in this region have lived in the same location longer than any other cultures in the country. Respectful of tribal sovereignty, Rep. Luján understands the important role of Tribal and Pueblo governments in our state. Sovereignty is an inherent right that is recognized and reaffirmed by the United States Constitution, and must be protected and respected.

Strengthening Tribal Education. As a member of the Native American Caucus, Luján has been a champion of improving education in Indian Country.  He introduced the Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act, which aims at removing barriers tribal leaders often encounter in teaching Native languages at school, improving on existing programs and partnerships, and creating new incentives to encourage educational success throughout Indian Country. Further, he introduced the Ester Martinez Language Reauthorization Act to provide grants to Native American language educational organizations to preserve disappearing Native languages. The bill reauthorizes the Native American Languages Program until 2020, and includes improvements to expand the program's eligibility to smaller-sized classes and allow for longer grant periods.

Rep. Luján joined with several colleagues to bring awareness to the crumbling state of schools in Indian Country. He offered an amendment to H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, that expressed a commitment to ensuring Indian children do not attend school in buildings that are falling apart. The amendment highlighted the Federal Government’s trust responsibility to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Education. Luján also joined in sending a letter to the members of the ESEA conference committee urging them to include this amendment in the conference report. He also sent to a letter urging appropriators to provide robust funding for Indian Affairs programs, and fully fund Bureau of Indian Education Construction in the FY16 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

“No child in New Mexico or anywhere in our great nation should be subjected to deplorable conditions in schools that are falling apart.  Sadly, too many school facilities in tribal communities face serious problems.” Luján said.  “These conditions negatively impact the ability of students to learn and are unacceptable.  All students deserve a safe and healthy environment in which to learn.  With many of these schools in some of our poorest areas, the urgency to address this problem is even greater.”

Strengthening Tribal Healthcare. Congressman Luján joined with Congressman Don Young to introduce the Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act to allow for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to receive advanced appropriations. This would provide much needed certainty to the IHS.

Suicide rates for Native Americans are more than double the national average and Native teens experience the highest rate of suicide of any population. In New Mexico, Native youth have the highest rate of suicide death and Native Americans have the highest alcohol-related death rate. When the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was introduced at an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee markup, Rep. Luján introduced an amendment calling for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prioritize programs for Native American youth and suicide prevention programs for youth suicide intervention for those that are high risk or have a disproportional burden of suicide.

“Every suicide is tragic, but the fact that it is young people who are at risk the most is simply heartbreaking. The causes of suicide are complex and multifaceted, from mental health disorders and substance abuse to poverty and lack of health care infrastructure and access.  There is no single solution.  Combating this will require a holistic approach with support systems and interventions that are tailored to Native American communities, recognizing and appreciating tribal cultures. Most importantly, we must make this a priority.  Tribal communities are facing a crisis and we must respond as such, focusing our efforts and our resources for those with the highest risk of suicide.” –Congressman Ben Ray Luján.

Ensuring Broadband Access on Tribal Land. Unfortunately, when it comes to broadband access, tribal communities have been disproportionately left behind. According to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) most recent broadband progress report, nearly two-thirds of residents on tribal lands lack access to high-speed broadband. That is why Rep. Lujánchampioned the Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) at the FCC, which works to ensure that tribes have a seat at the table. He alsoworked with his colleagues on and off the telecom subcommittee to lead a bipartisan letter to urge the FCC to engage in robust consultation with tribal stakeholder.