Of the more than 20 historic tribes belonging to the Siouan-speaking peoples of the piedmont and mountain regions, today 1 tribe in Virginia, 2 in North Carolina, and 1 on the state line between them still live in either Virginia or North Carolina. Today, 7 of the historic tribes of Virginia are descendants of these Algonquian speakers. The Rural Utilities Service, which provides broadband funding, could identify barriers to funding access and help tribes overcome them.In 1607 the English documented many Algonquian-speaking tribes in what is now Virginia. Tribes can apply for federal funding for broadband projects, but often have trouble meeting requirements (such as completing project design studies or getting matching funds). About 35% of Americans living on tribal lands lack access to broadband service-which can limit economic opportunity, education, and public safety.However, the databases these programs use contained some incomplete and inaccurate informationВ on road conditions and road maintenance needs. The federal government funds two programs to improve and maintain roads on tribal lands. These roads are often unpaved and may not be well maintained. Roads on tribal lands are of particular importance for connecting people to essential services, such as schools, because of the remote location of some tribes.

However, federal agencies with tribal-specific programs for water infrastructure (e.g., IHS, EPA, and USDA) didn't always prioritize projectsВ in areas that lacked safe drinking water or wastewater disposal. Federal agencies provided about $370 million for tribal water and wastewater projects in 2016.

Tens of thousands of American Indians and Alaska Natives do not have safe drinking water or wastewater disposal in their homes.

Documenting how agency officials are to communicate with tribes about how they considered tribal input gathered during consultations could help. However, a number of factors may hinder federal agencies' processes for carrying out these consultations-such as difficulty obtaining the contact information needed to start consulting.

Federal agencies are required, in certain circumstances, to consult with tribes on infrastructure projects (like pipelines) that may harm tribal natural and cultural resources.

(In fact, federal management of programs that serve tribes is on the High Risk List.)

A high number of staff vacancies, inadequate funding, and management weaknesses limit effective deliveryВ of some federal programs managed by BIA, BIE, and IHS.

These agencies face a number of challenges to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their tribal programs. Several federal agencies are responsible for providing direct services or funding to federally recognized tribes and their members-including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Further, the COVID-19 pandemicВ has had a disproportionate impact on the health and economies of tribal communities. Commission on Civil Rights reported that-due to things like historical discriminatory policies, insufficient resources, and inefficient federal program delivery-Native Americans continue to rank near the bottom of all AmericansВ in terms of health, education, and employment. policy towards tribes and their members has varied widely over hundreds of years. As Congress found in the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act, 'the United States has undertaken a unique trust responsibility to protect and support Indian tribes and Indians.' As stated in the Act, 'the fiduciary responsibilities of the United States to Indians also are founded in part on specific commitments made through written treaties and agreements securing peace, in exchange for which Indians have surrendered claims to vast tracts of land.' Nevertheless, U.S.