Rescue Small Business Relief Program Relaunches

Tlingit & Haida has relaunched its Rescue Small Business Relief program. The direct relief assistance program is funded under the Tribe’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist tribal citizens who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the program, tribal citizen-owned small businesses can apply for up to $5,000. All impacted tribal citizens who are U.S. citizens, operating a business, and reside in the United States are eligible to apply. The application period closes on December 29, 2023 or when 450 grants have been awarded. Funds must be expended in compliance with federal law and used by the applicant only to pay for business expenses such as product parts, supplies, COVID-19 mitigation and/or inventory.

The effects of COVID-19 continue to impact small businesses. According to a study by the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses declined heavily in the service sectors.

“We see the continued effects through inflation, decrease in travel and decline in spending of disposable income in all industries that are prevalent in Alaska and throughout the country”, said President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson. “Tlingit & Haida recognizes the need to continue support for our citizen-owned small businesses as we all endure the ongoing effects and lag in recovery.”

For questions relating to the Rescue Small Business Relief program, please call 907.463.7799 or email RescueSBG@ccthita-nsn.gov.

Deed Signing

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On November 17, 2022, the Department of Interior gave notice to Tlingit & Haida it had approved the land-intotrust application. Four of the Tlingit & Haida’s land-into-trust applications remain pending with the DOI.

“This is a benchmark achievement in our landback initiative. After many years of waiting we finally have land that will be held in perpetuity for our Tribe, land which has been rightfully ours since time immemorial,” said President Peterson. “The parcel may have a small footprint, but it is huge in terms of what this means to the Tribe. I am hopeful the Department of the Interior will approve our remaining applications.”

Because the land is now held in trust, it’s considered “Indian country” under the U.S. Code. With qualifying lands, Tlingit & Haida will have parity with other governments to participate in federal programs such as those for business development, housing, law and justice, natural resources, and transportation.

Federally recognized tribes can apply for land into trust by petitioning the Secretary of the Interior to take the land into trust specifically for the benefit of the tribe and its tribal citizens. The land must qualify under federal Indian laws, historic preservation and environmental laws.