Federal funds totaling nearly $16 million have been awarded to Alaska Native organizations to provide health care initiatives and community projects to combat the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The largest grant through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security) Act was $5.6 million for the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corp. to support tribal public health efforts of preparedness and response to the COVID-19 virus.
Other grants included $2.7 million to the Bristol Bay Native Association, $1.9 million to the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, and $1 million to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Awards o $900,000 each went to Gwichyaa Zhee/Native Village of Fort Yukon, Hughes Village, the Knik Tribe, the Native Village of Tetlin and the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe for a variety of projects, mostly for purchase or construction of housing to help alleviate local housing shortages and reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
A portion of the grant money came through the Indian Community Development Block Grant program.
Alaska Native villages have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. who worked to boost funding for ICDBG by $5 milllion.
“I am confident that these grants will help protect some of the most vulnerable in Alaska,” he said.
