Covid-19 Impacts on Native American Communities by Tim Shay

My article is about how Covid 19 has affected Native American communities. I will be focusing on my tribe Yakama Nation. This is a Important subject because since Covid started we have been losing a lot of our important community members. For example, I read an article from a Yakama Native girl (Emily) who had lost one of her language teachers (Boiko-Weyrauch, KUOW). This had a big impact on our community because we lost someone who had a lot of cultural and traditional knowledge.

Since Covid has started, “Covid-19 is killing Native Americans and Alaska Natives at rates that are more than three times higher compared to white people in Washington according to the data from the State Department of Health,” reports the CDC. This matters because there is already a smaller number of natives in Washington than most of the other ethnicities. This is an injustice, Covid is only making that number smaller everyday because it keeps taking the lives of important people in our communities which are already pretty small.

According to the Yakima Herald, my tribe (Yakama Nation) has experienced at least 6% (Of 11,000 members) of the tribe having Covid. As of September 2nd, 2020, 28 tribal members have passed away. The problem is that the number is only going to get bigger as time goes on. Many people from Yakama are being affected by this and even dying from it. The Yakima Herald reported that part of the problem is that many Yakama residents are “essential workers” and still have to go to work, when they should be at home. This means that every day they decide to go to work they are putting themselves at risk. “The agricultural location and the “checkerboard” of ownership have created unique challenges for the nation's response to Covid-19. Although the nation’s March “stay home, Stay healthy” order remains in effect, many of the nation's residents are essential workers. And the land ownership pattern can complicate enforcement” (Talamo, Yakima Herald).

We can try to reduce the number of affected and the infection rate by encouraging everyone to stay home and only leave when they have to and when they do make sure to wear masks, social distance, and wash hands frequently. Also Yakama Nation has been mailing newsletters with Covid-related news to all members, hosting weekly food distributions, and coordinating ways to reach members who can’t drive to those sites with food, hygiene products, and over-the-counter medications, according to the Yakima Herald. I do not live on my reservation but I have been getting weekly news sent to my house. My tribe also gave out free computers and Wifi to whoever wanted one to help out with school. As with most of us living in the city our connections and support systems, and relatives extend past the city limits to our tribal reservations and communities. The pandemic has reminded me how important it is to stay informed and learn what we can do to stay safe and protect our tribal communities.

By Tim Shay (Yakama) Clear Sky Native Youth

These articles are a culmination of our students 6 week series on 'Native Excellence in Journalism' . Students received 6 weeks of academic instruction on journalism by a variety of professional journalist and speakers. Clear Sky Academy is a pilot project offering Indigenous high school students social studies class, granting common core credit in partnership with Yellow Wood Academy. The course is titled 'American Indian Historical and Contemporary Experience'. The class focus is on Indigenous pedagogy, and community based, centering students in all aspects of their learning experience. Our holistic approach underscores our cultural worldview and tribal value systems with genuine authenticity. Students have the opportunity to learn from Indigenous educators, cultural experts, historians, Elder's and Indigenous professional. Students participate in projects and academic oriented activities supporting their interests while each unit of learning provides a foundation for examining and exploring cultural identity and experiencing shaping Indian Country.

To learn more about our unique course opportunity please contact us at markseattl3@aol.com our website www.urbannativeeducation.org