COVID-19 Impacts on Native American Citizens and Tribal Governments

Abstract

The economic impacts of COVID-19 on the United States economy have been devastating for many Americans, but have been especially damaging for Native Americans, tribal governments, and tribal enterprises. On-reservation Native Americans especially have struggled as their governments lose revenue from casinos and other enterprises while attempting to address social and health needs of their citizens. COVID-19 has forced increased adoption of automation in the workplace that will heavily impact Native Americans, due to their increased exposure to the effects of automation in the leisure, transportation, education, and health industries. This paper highlights the unique position that Native Americans and tribal governments face during COVID-19 economic recovery and beyond as well as policy options tribes can implement to mitigate the looming threat of automation on their tribal citizens.