The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many disparities that exist in Indian Country. As sovereign nations, Tribes have the authority and responsibility to maintain the safety and well-being of their citizens. Throughout the pandemic, Tribal governments have enacted public health measures to limit exposure to SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating the resilience and innovation that exists within Tribal communities. For the past 18 months Tribal leaders, Tribal frontline workers, and Tribal citizens have worked tirelessly to protect elders, children, and the most vulnerable Tribal citizens. During a time of uncertainty, Tribal communities acted fast to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, with reports demonstrating impact at rates higher than any other population.[1] In December 2020, the world received welcoming news on the best hope to address the pandemic: vaccinations. The vaccines reached Indian Country quickly, an outcome for which the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) strongly advocated. Tribes were able to move swiftly to distribute the vaccine to their communities, resulting in AI/ANs receiving the vaccine at a rate that succeeded other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the forefront the many health disparities experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Tribal communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, which has made apparent the inequities facing AI/AN people and Indian health care providers. It has not only created new burdens in Tribal communities but has exacerbated existing health concerns--particularly those regarding behavioral and mental health.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations are disproportionately impacted by serious health conditions, such as, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and a compromised immune system. AI/ANs are also at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, obesity, complications from pregnancy and have high rates of habitual smoking, which make AI/Ans communities at higher risk for a more serious COVID illness.

Over a year ago, the coronavirus hit Indian Country with devastating impacts that left Tribal communities mourning the loss of loved ones, community members, and elders as well as dealing with quarantine and isolation from family and friends. Though more than 600,000 lives were lost across the United States, COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have potentially saved many more lives from the disease.

By Diana Cournoyer, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association By the end of March 2020, the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had closed classrooms in all schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Approximately 48,000 students in K-12 schools either transitioned to a form of distance education or learned that they would not have access to education services for the remainder of the school year.