Spectrum has become a vital and important natural resource because it is finite and has economic and public use, purpose, and benefit. Similar to other natural resources such as water, timber, minerals, and precious metals, the use of radio frequencies (spectrum) has become integrated into everyday life. However, unlike other natural resources, the spectrum frequencies used to wirelessly transmit digital television, radio, and voice and data communications (e.g. the internet) are not visible to the human eye without the use of technological instruments.
Policy Solution
Historically, Native American tribes have not been included in important water discussions in Arizona, but that changed with the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) — a multi-state agreement designed to secure the future of water in the Southwest.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities and other institutions of higher education across the U.S. have transitioned academic coursework to online internet platforms. However, this transition assumes that Native students have constant access to affordable, and reliable internet options. As universities move to strictly online platforms, it’s important to recognize that not every student has internet access in their home communities.
In 2019, the American Indian Policy Institute published the “Tribal Technology Assessment: The State of Internet Service on Tribal Lands”. The TTA surveyed residents of tribal reservation residents and found that:
Election day is right around the corner. With the nation living under the shadow of COVID-19, and an expectation that it will continue to be a presence well into autumn, officials are scrambling to ensure the November 2020 general election proceeds as smoothly and safely as possible. How are tribes involved with 2020 election processes?
Controversial changes to the U.S. Census Bureau’s operational plans mean hard-to-reach populations face an increased threat of being undercounted in the 2020 Census and therefore a greater potential of being underrepresented and underfunded in the next decade.
- Read more about AIPI Policy Article: Newly Elected Indigenous Legislators in Congress & Arizona 2020
The November 3, 2020 election was an historic election for Indigenous representation, featuring a record number of Indigenous candidates seeking office. In addition to the record-breaking class of elected representatives listed below, Paulette Jordan (D, ID-Senate), Rudy Soto (D, ID-01), and Tricia Zunker (D, WI-07) were nominees for their respective districts/states.
Indian Country has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, largely due to existing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. Inadequate healthcare, a lack of housing, and underdeveloped infrastructure increased the severity of COVID-19 in Tribal communities. This resulted in an infection rate four times higher, and tragically, mortality rates twice that of other populations. The pandemic’s disproportionate impact emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying systemic inequality as the threat of COVID-19 slowly dissipates and we attempt a return to a ‘new normal’.
Broadband is critical for Indian Country, but it is often unavailable. In 2019, the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) found that 18 percent of Tribal reservation residents have no Internet access, while 33 percent rely on smartphones for Internet service. According to the FCC, about 72 percent of people on Tribal lands have broadband access at the FCC benchmark of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Even where broadband is available, cost can be a barrier to access.