COVID Pandemic in the Navajo, Apache, & other Native American Tribes
The social, economic, political, and environmental injustices faced by Native American tribes during “normal” times have been highlighted by this time of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Native American tribes. The Navajo Nation currently has the highest rate of infection in the United States, greater than that of the worst-hit state, New York (see here). In Wyoming, Native Americans are about 3 percent of the population but comprise one-third of the state’s COVID cases. First Nations people comprise about one-tenth of New Mexico’s population but account for more than 55 percent of its coronavirus cases. This article will take a closer look at two tribes that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, the Navajo Nation and the White Mountain Apache tribe, and discuss the underlying factors that put the First Nations at high risk.
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is the largest indigenous land reservation and spans across 27,413 square miles. As of August 2nd, they have reported 9,103 cases and 461 deaths (see latest numbers here).
At the onset of the pandemic, the Navajo Nation used their sovereign power to issue some of the earliest and strictest public health orders in the United States, which included mandatory 57-hour shelter-in-place orders every weekend. Their efforts were initially successful, and they didn’t see their first case until after nearly all of the 50 states had COVID-19 cases. However, once the virus was brought into the community it spread rampantly.
There are only 200 hospital beds in the reservation’s medical facilities. As a result, medical professionals have set up makeshift quarantine facilities and many residents have had to be transferred to facilities outside the reservation.
White Mountain Apache Tribe
The White Mountain Apache Tribe has the second-highest number of cases among Arizona tribes, only behind the Navajo Nation.
On July 15th and 16th, the Arizona National Guard came in to assist the White Mountain Apache Tribe with widespread testing.
As of July 24th, the tribe reported a total of 2,273 positive cases, about 15% of their population.
Like many reservations, the White Mountain Apache has enforced strict shutdown measures to contain the spread. On June 29th, they instated a two-week shelter-in-place order for residents and closed the reservation to all outside visitors.
The tribe’s Emergency Operation Center posts daily updates regarding the number of cases, deaths, and community resources to their Facebook page. In a live-stream video on this page, the tribe’s chairwoman, out of great concern for the elders in the community, stressed the importance of adhering to shelter-in-place orders. The coronavirus presents an existential threat to tribal culture, language, and tradition, which is rooted in the knowledge of their elders.
Why are Native American communities at risk?
The Navajo Nation and White Mountain Apache Tribe are amongst many Native American tribes that have been severely affected by COVID-19.
The devastating effects of the virus in these communities can be attributed to the social, economic, political, and environmental injustices faced by Native Americans. According to the First Nations Development Institute, 13% of Native American homes lack safe water and wastewater disposal; and 16% of homes in tribal areas are overcrowded and multigenerational [5]. This dynamic makes it difficult for tribal families to maintain the CDC’s recommendations for sanitation standards and social distancing.
With health already weakened by high rates of diabetes, cancer, and other chronic illnesses, COVID-19 presents a serious threat to Native populations. This threat has shed light on vast deficiencies in health care access, quality, and availability across the Native American healthcare system.
Tribal communities face the highest rates of food insecurity in the U.S. In a 2008 study, Native American families with children were found to have a food insecurity rate of 28%, compared to 16% for non-Natives [6]. The pandemic has exacerbated food shortages and made the logistics of accessing food even more difficult.
Additionally, the closure of gaming operations has created a series of economic emergencies for tribes, who depend on this revenue for employment and to fund social services.
The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on tribal communities is arguably the result of systemic and historic failures by the U.S. government to uphold trust and treaty obligations. In an interview with Health Day, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez emphasized that despite the pressing need for food, medicine, and supplies, addressing the “bigger picture” issue of long-standing neglect is paramount.
Sources:
- “Dikos Ntsaaigii-19 (COVID-19)” Navajo Nation Department of Health, 2020.
- “COVID-19 Map and Statistics,” Wyoming Department of Health, 2020.
- “COVID-19 in New Mexico,” New Mexico Department of Health, 2020.
- “White Mountain Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center.” Facebook.
- “COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund”, First Nations Development Institute, 2020.
- Gunderson C. (2008). Measuring the extent, depth, and severity of food insecurity: an application to American Indians in the USA. Journal of Population and Economics. 21: 191–215
- Doshi, Sahir, et al. “The COVID-19 Response in Indian Country.” Center for American Progress, 18 June 2020.
- Mozes, Alan. “COVID-19 Ravages the Navajo Nation.” WebMD, WebMD, 9 June 2020.
- Morales, Laurel. “White Mountain Apache Tribe Shuts down Reservation to Stop Coronavirus.” AZPM, 29 June 2020.
- Curtis, Chelsea.”White Mountain Apache Tribe Surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 Cases.” The Arizona Republic, Arizona Republic, 10 June 2020.
