The Wiyot Tribe is closely monitoring the global COVID-19 global pandemic. The Tribe is working with local, state and federal agencies to reduce the likelihood of introduction of the virus into our communities. On March 15, 2020 the Wiyot Tribal Council declared a State of Emergency in response to the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic and instituted community mitigation strategies to maintain critical infrastructure, prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into the local community and slow the spread of the virus.
The Wiyot Tribe applied for CARES-ACT funding by the April 17, 2020 deadline and received $264,970.85 in CARES-ACT Emergency funding in May of 2020. The CARES Act requires that the payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund only be used to cover expenses that—(1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19); (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020.
The Wiyot Tribal Council strives to support Tribal families through the General Welfare COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program, which affirms the Tribe’s inherent sovereign right to promote the general welfare of the Tribal Membership. The Wiyot Tribal Council finds that there is an immediate and urgent threat to the welfare of the Tribal citizen and the tribe as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Wiyot Tribal Council seeks to ensure that no Tribal member in the community will be without basic fundamental necessities of life. The assistance provided under this ordinance will not completely fund all citizens financial and other needs not will be lavish or extravagant but is designed to lessen the burden of living expenses in their everyday lives.
On June 08, 2020 the Wiyot Tribal Council approved the release of General Welfare Emergency Assistance benefits to all adult tribal citizens in the amount of $511.75. The Wiyot Tribal Council’s hope is that providing this assistance Tribal Members can use the funds to plan accordingly for the various needs of their households during this State of Emergency. No application is required. All adult Tribal Citizens will receive these funds automatically.