'Pots of money' out of reach for some

The Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act includes $12 billion for Indian Country, however, making the most of the funding opportunities presents challenges for some Native organizations.

The act is a “once-in-a-generation” investment, Raina Thiele, Dena'ina Athabascan and Yup’ik, said recently. She’s senior advisor for Alaska Affairs and Strategic Priorities for the Secretary of Interior and was one of several people who spoke on a panel at the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention Dec. 14.

The law allocates funding for infrastructure like roads, bridges, airports, railroads, access to clean drinking water, high speed internet, and other projects that will “tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice and invest in communities that have too often been left behind,” Thiele said. The funding will be distributed via dozens of federal agencies.

https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/alaska-federation-of-natives-panel-talks-infrastructure-funding