Native State of the Union: Outlands Response Newsletter May 2025

Summer Letter from Tessa

Dear friends, happy summer!

It has been incredibly therapeutic to stop and smell the roses. The fleeting, glorious beauty...

The world feels like it's whipping by us at warp-speed, doesn't it? The state of affairs in the world feels chaotic much of the time. It's hard to keep up on the things that matter to us.

That is why I am immensely thankful for your support, your care, and your prayers!

As for me, I am persisting -- showing up every day to see how the Holy Spirit will guide me in serving those around me in need, by sacrificing my convenience and responding to His movement in mine and others' lives. I pray I am attentive to my good Shepherd's voice.

Jesus promises: "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33 ESV

Here are some things in this current season in which I am taking heart and showing up:

I am knee-deep in support-raising, with plans for full-time ministry potential, and prayerfully taking bigger, bolder steps in the meantime.

I am making new friendships with Native believers, even over long distance Zoom-calls.

I am opening up my home regularly to host bible studies and cultivate authentic community.

I am doing what I can to be as genuine and as helpful of a coworker in my secular bakery job.

Thanks for continuing to pray for these things right alongside me. I can't do this without you.

I pray God will open up the right doors and bring the right people at the right time.

And indeed, so much continues to unfold in the lives of indigenous peoples in America too!

I have a heart for Native America. And so do you! Which got me thinking: I'm sure you'd like to know more about these communities you pray so diligently for on a regular basis.

So I want to share a little snapshot of what life currently looks like in the Outlands (a.k.a. Indian Country, a.k.a. Indian Reservations, a.k.a. the REZ). I rounded up a little Native State of the Union for us. I think you may find something surprising or interesting here, enjoy!

Much love, and take some time to stop and smell the roses, Tessa

Mapping Out the Landscape of Indian Country

News Developments from the Outlands

Cultural Landscape:

• Return of Sacred Objects from Museums: A sacred Native American headdress, known as a "bird bundle," is being returned to the Blackfoot Nation after spending over a century in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, UK. This ceremonial headdress, adorned with eagle feathers, buffalo horns, and porcupine quills, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Blackfoot people. [#]

  
  

• Medical Milestone: The Cherokee Nation celebrated the graduation of the first class of doctors from its unique medical school, addressing a shortage of Native physicians. [#]

  
  

• Living Languages Grant Program: Beginning in 2022, the U.S. Department of the Interior awarded grants to 45 Tribes and Tribal organizations to document and revitalize endangered languages. This program focuses on preventing the extinction of Native languages and fostering intergenerational transmission. [#]

Social Landscape:

• Access to Water: The Navajo Nation's water rights in Utah were recognized by a new court ruling which allocates resources for water infrastructure development, aiming to address long-standing access issues faced by the Navajo people in Utah, where many households lack indoor plumbing and clean drinking water. The settlement is seen as a significant step toward improving living conditions and ensuring water access. [#]

  
  

• Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP): Native American women face disproportionately high rates of violence, with many cases of missing and murdered individuals remaining unresolved. This crisis is a legacy of systemic neglect and inadequate resources. MMIP is a topic that provokes great distress and advocacy. [#]

  
  

• Dangerous Crime Rates: Reservations like the Wind River in Wyoming experience crime rates significantly higher (7x higher) than the national average. Limited law enforcement resources, remote geography, and systemic challenges exacerbate the issue. [#]

  
  

• Human Trafficking: Native communities are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. A 2017 report highlighted barriers to identifying and serving Native victims, including lack of training and resources for law enforcement. [#]

  
  

• Infiltration of Mexican Cartels: Cartels expanded their operations by infiltrating U.S. Indian Reservation communities, exploiting the remote geography, limited law enforcement presence, and jurisdictional complexities on reservations to traffic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. Reservations have seen a surge in related crimes, including sex trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, and theft. Cartels often manipulate Native individuals by fostering addiction and using them as dealers. [# #]

Economic Landscape:

• Obstacles to Opportunity: A report by the Joint Economic Committee outlines significant barriers Native American communities face, such as limited access to quality education, jobs, and credit, which hinder economic mobility. [#]

  
  

• Heavy Economic Reliance on Government Aid: The economy on U.S. Indian reservations is heavily subsidized by federal government aid, supporting essential services like healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure, often through agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). The federal government allocated $4.7 billion for Indian Affairs programs in 2024. [#]

  
  

• Funding Challenges: Despite billions allocated for Tribal programs each year, a GAO report reveals that much of this funding doesn't reach the intended communities due to red tape, complex applications, and communication gaps. [#]

  
  

• Dismal Income Levels: Median household incomes on reservations are significantly lower. For example, in 2021, the median income for Native American households on reservations was $42,224, compared to $52,719 in Mississippi, the poorest U.S. state. [#]

  
  

• Stagnation due to Lack of Economic Freedom: Federal regulations and oversight have created barriers to entrepreneurship and property rights, which are essential for economic growth. Historically, indigenous economies thrived with trade and property rights, but modern policies have imposed restrictions that hinder development. [#]

  
  

• Tribal Enterprises: The approach to nation-building is shifting from government-fed to indigenous, tribal-led endeavors. For example, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians established manufacturing plants, including a General Motors wire harness assembly plant, which has created jobs and reduced unemployment on their reservation. Tribes like the Navajo Nation have developed tourism by showcasing their rich cultural heritage and natural landscapes, attracting visitors and boosting local economies. Some tribes, such as the Campo Kumeyaay Nation in California, have invested in wind and solar energy projects, creating sustainable income sources. [#]

Political Landscape:

• Historic Investments: Towards the end of his administration, Biden allocated $32 billion through the American Rescue Plan, $13 billion via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and $700 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to support Tribal communities. [# #]

  
  

• Resource Development Restrictions: Tribal leaders have expressed concerns about the Biden's administration's restrictions on resource development, such as oil and gas projects, which they argue could limit economic opportunities for certain reservations.

  
  

• Bureau of Indian Education Cuts: Job cuts at Bureau of Indian Education schools due to the Trump administration's government turnaround efforts, sparking a lawsuit asserting the issues of canceled classes, delayed financial aid, and creating unsafe conditions. [#]

  
  

• Bureau of Indian Affairs Office Closures: A directive from the Trump administration to close over a quarter of Bureau of Indian Affairs offices raised concerns about violating trust responsibilities to tribal nations. [#]

  
  

• Funding Freezes: Federal grant and loan freezes related to the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) disrupted large-scale services on many reservations like healthcare, education, and economic development. [#]

Environmental Landscape:

• Land Back Movement: Tribes across the U.S. are reclaiming ancestral lands as part of the growing Land Back movement. For example, the White Earth Nation in Minnesota is advocating for the return of 155,000 acres of state land. [#]

  
  

• Environmental Protection: The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes are actively defending a Yellowstone bison management plan in court, showcasing the intersection of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. [#]

  
  

• Bison Restoration: Bison have been reintroduced to Manitoba First Nation lands for the first time in 100 years, rejuvenating the ecosystem and honoring the culture. [#]

Eagle Spirit Singers and Dancers, Wind River Reservation. Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

How to Partner

I am so honored and humbled to have the support of so many wonderful people. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for coming alongside me in this bold endeavor.

May God the Father be praised for the fruit produced from these small but mighty efforts.

Let's connect! Please reach out to engage together on any of these topics in greater detail. I would love to sit down for coffee (tea for me please!) soon, I'm excited to hear from you. 

PRAY — Prayer is and will always remain my biggest need. Calling all folks who take prayer seriously and desire to participate in this powerful way. Let me know if you'd like to receive text notifications of all major ministry developments and in-the-field prayer updates.

SHARE — Please share your excitement with those closest to you (plus this newsletter and my website!). Encourage your friends and family to consider partnering with Outlands Response, multiplying the impact and scope of this endeavor. I appreciate your referrals.

GIVE — I invite you to partner with me financially in this important work. Please prayerfully consider a treasured monthly partnership or a welcomed one-time gift – whatever the Lord leads you to provide will be a tremendous blessing to this blossoming work. All donations are tax-deductible through the 501c3 non-profit organization, Urban Skye.

Click Here to Partner Financially

I welcome your active partnership as this task should only be done together. Thank you so much!!

God's servant for your sake,

Tessa