NCUIH FACILITATES FIRST FEMA UIO LEADERS CALL

On May 29, for the first time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met exclusively with a group of Urban Indian Organization (UIO) leaders. The call took place via Zoom video conference. The purpose of the call was to provide UIOs an opportunity to learn about programs open to nonprofits, get questions answered, and open the lines of communication with FEMA officials. FEMA is one of the major operational components that make up the Department of Homeland Security, which is facilitating a whole-of-government response in confronting COVID-19, keeping Americans safe, and helping detect and slow the spread of the virus.

The following officials from FEMA participated in the call: Acting Director Public Assistance Division Tod Wells; Attorney-Advisor, Federal Indian Law Subject Matter Expert Dorn Lawin; Tribal Affairs Specialist Margeau Valteau; and Tribal Integration Advisor Jessica Specht. Dr. Rose Weahkee, Director of the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs at the Indian Health Service, was also in attendance. FEMA sent NCUIH responses to the questions UIO leaders asked in a document that can be found here.