The Stafford Act, or HR 1953, was introduced in 2011 by Congressman Rahall of West Virginia to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This important Amendment includes measures for tribal governments to directly request relief after a major disaster and attain federal benefits from presidential emergency declarations.

In addition to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and other tribes, the Cherokee Nation supports the proposed changes to the Stafford Act which gives tribal leaders the choice to submit a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for a major disaster. Tribal leaders will also have the opportunity to obtain a cost share waiver for up to $200,000 for the tribe in the unfortunate instance of a catastrophe. Furthermore, this will not preclude a tribe from receiving assistance through a disaster declaration made at the request of a state governor. 

With tornadoes and other natural disasters prevalent in eastern Oklahoma, which includes our 14-county tribal jurisdiction, this amendment will provide relief to our tribal citizens by making available federal assistance to tribal governments during emergencies. If passed, this assistance would allow more effective and efficient local-level response during times of need. In many native cultures, the environment is often the center of traditions and religious beliefs.  With this Bill becoming law, tribal governments will have the opportunity to respond to natural disasters in a manner that is sensitive to the unique cultures that exist throughout Indian Country.