Was enough done to get tribes money in the Inflation Reduction Act?

All eyes on Sen. Schatz and his tribal resource guide.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill on August 6, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) — after receiving some harsh criticism from tribal leaders regarding his efforts to include tribes in the Inflation Reduction Act — this week released a resource guide showing that the bill contains roughly $720 million for tribes.

“More than $720 million in federal funding is heading to Native communities to support Native-led climate solutions and advance Tribal energy development,” Schatz said in a statement. “Our resource guide will help Tribes and Native communities navigate the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct investment in climate adaptation and clean energy – the largest ever in U.S. history.”

It’s a chunk of cash, and some tribal leaders have applauded it. Still, $720 million is a far cry from what tribes were requesting, and a 7-page resource guide isn’t exactly what many were hoping for. There are 574 federally-recognized tribes in the U.S., so simple math says this money will not go far.