Don Graves Deputy Secretary of Commerce | Official Website
Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the contributions of Native Americans and acknowledge their role in the nation's economy. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Don Graves have emphasized the importance of a prosperous Indian Country for America's economic health, highlighting that growth should be shared equally.
During this month, President Biden recognized the historical injustices faced by Native peoples. The Biden-Harris Administration is focused on providing long-awaited investments in infrastructure for Native American communities. Under President Biden's leadership, the Commerce Department has committed to supporting economic growth in Tribal areas.
In recent years, the department has made significant investments across various sectors such as high-speed internet, sustainable development, climate adaptation, and workforce training. These efforts are supported by legislative measures like the CHIPS and Science Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and America Rescue Plan.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched initiatives like the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), which stands as a major investment in internet services on Tribal lands. This program awarded $1.86 billion to 226 Tribal entities and continues to provide additional funding opportunities.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has also played a crucial role by investing $785 million into tribal economies through 372 grants. This initiative is expected to spur approximately $1.5 billion in private-sector investments while creating around 17,600 jobs.
Moreover, under the Inflation Reduction Act, significant resources have been allocated for combating climate change and protecting Native homelands. Over $375 million was awarded across projects addressing coastal resilience and workforce development within Native American communities.
NOAA's initiatives include substantial funding for environmental monitoring programs in Alaska and efforts aimed at enhancing Arctic research data management.
These strategic actions reflect a commitment to equity and collaboration with Tribal Nations while addressing their unique challenges.
For further details on these developments or President Biden’s Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month 2024, more information is available from official sources.
