August 6, 2020
TOLOWA DEE-NI’ NATION EDUCATIONAL – COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS DISBURSEMENT
Download Public Notice # 2020-01-22

The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is pleased to announce the COVID-19 relief
funds to assist the membership on their need to respond to the educational
needs of our youth. This pandemic has changed the delivery of education
services to all of our students and these funds will assist our minor
membership.

All Tribal minor citizens who have not turned 18 years old by June 30,
2020 will be receiving a COVID-19 relief disbursement for educational
purposes in August 2020.

We ask that you allow up to 3 weeks for delivery of the disbursement. If
you do not receive it within the 3 week time frame, please contact the
Tribal Administration Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday,
8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: August 4, 2020
Contact: Tribal Administration, (707) 487-9255
Download Release 

TOLOWA DEE-NI’ NATION’S NEXT STEP IN THE RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Smith River, CA – The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation unanimously approves an expenditure plan totaling $10,675,172 as part of the Nation’s share of an $8 billion dollar allocation set aside in the CARES Act funding from the US
Treasury in response to support Tribal governments recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nation’s Respond, Recover and Rebuild expenditure plan will largely offset unbudgeted expenses due to the global coronavirus outbreak. Funds have been allocated to add important safety measures to infrastructure and
facilities for the protection of employees and citizens, increase service delivery for citizens and invest in the continued strengthening of our community recovery.

Faced with the worst crisis of our generation, we have reacted and adjusted to make the tough but necessary decisions, taking appropriate steps to protect our governmental functions and programs due to the more than $2.5 million in revenue shortfall sustained from the COVID-19 restrictions. “We the Tribal Council are striving to continue to build a stronger tribe and community even during this Tribal, State and National crisis,” said Tribal
Chairperson Leann McCallum. “We are looking at multiple ways to offer relief to citizens through our vital programs, as part of the continued goal of continue to provide for the general welfare of our membership”.

“Unfortunately, many employers across the country have had to make drastic program cuts along with mass layoffs or business shutdowns,” Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Jeri Lynn Thompson Vice Chairman stated, “We the council are very proud that the Nation did not have to completely take that route in our operations. We are able to make appropriate reductions to continue to pay our government employees so they did not financially suffer while keeping essential tribal services operational.”

The Attorney General’s office issued an opinion of federal CARES Act funding saying funds should be directed to necessary expenses and programs that support the recovery of the Tribe from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A Tribal ‘per capita scheme’ is a prohibited use of the funds and the funds must be tied to costs incurred due to the public health emergency the Nation is facing. The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s plan is to help guide all facets of the Tribal Government and citizen concerns.

Our spending plan is allocated to multiple areas; personal protective equipment (PPE), adding facility space for employee’s social distancing, investment in information technology (IT) for preparations to continued operational restrictions, restoration of operations, payroll functions, continued investment to assist the Tribal citizens with economic recovery and for the on-going response to COVID-19.

The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Council has modified the Tribe’s FY2020 budget to accommodate our spending plan and will continue to monitor and provide input on the plan as it further develops. Plans will be subject to
change as the pandemic and needs change. Councilmember Dr. Joseph Giovannetti stated, “We will continue to work together to meet this un-seen predator head-on and ensure our continued survival of the Tolowa people and as an end result be a stronger united people”.

Waa-saa-ghitlh-‘a ~ Wee-ni Naa-ch’aa-ghitlh-ni (OUR HERITAGE IS WHY WE ARE STRONG)

August 3, 2020

ANNUAL DEE-NI’ NIGHT AND DAY CANCELLED

Download Public Notice # 2020-01- 21

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the 15th Annual Dee-ni’ Night and Day events in the efforts to maintain the health and safety of Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s citizens and employees.

If you have questions, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

July 28, 2020
NO SUMMER & HOLIDAY GIFT PAYMENTS
Download PN #2020-01-20

The current National COVID-19 pandemic event caused the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Council to authorize a temporary closure of the Lucky 7 Enterprise operations in March, April, and May 2020, as a precautionary effort to maintain the health and safety of Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s citizens, employees and patrons. This closure has negatively affected the revenues that are generated in order to provide the citizen gift payments.

In response to the revenue losses, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Council has made the difficult decision to not disburse gift payments to the Tribal Citizens for August and November. As a response to the pandemic, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation provided economic recovery funds in June 2020 to all adult citizens. We are diligently working on providing further economic recovery funds under the CARES Act funding for all citizens.

If you have questions, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at
(707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

PUBLIC NOTICE

July 17, 2020
Download Public Notice # 2020-01- 19

EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL CITIZENS IN 5-COUNTY SERVICE AREA

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is offering emergency food boxes to Tribal citizens in the 5-county service area.

Individual ADULT Tribal citizens in the 5-county service area are eligible to receive one food box per Tribal citizen. The emergency food boxes will be available for pick-up and contain shelf-stable staples with a value of over $80.00. Please ensure to provide a State issued ID and/or Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation issued ID “Tribal ID” so staff may verify your identity upon pick-up.

Pick-up dates and locations have been established in the 5-county service area if you are unable to pick up an emergency food box at the locations identified below, or in need of additional assistance, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Emergency Food Box Pick-up Dates/Locations:

Monday July 20

• Del Norte County o Pick-up time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Howonquet Hall Community Center located at 101 Indian Ct., Smith River CA 95567

Tuesday July 21

• Del Norte County o Pick-up Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Howonquet Hall Community Center located at 101 Indian Ct., Smith River CA 95567

• Curry County o Pick-up Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Chetco Library Oak St Parking located at 405 Alder St, Brookings OR 97415

Wednesday July 22

• Del Norte County o Pick-up Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Howonquet Hall Community Center located at 101 Indian Ct., Smith River CA 95567

• Humboldt County o Pick-up Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Location: Potawot Health Village Parking Lot located at 1600 Weeot Way, Arcata CA 95521

Thursday July 23

• Del Norte County o Pick-up Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Howonquet Hall Community Center located at 101 Indian Ct., Smith River CA 95567

• Coos County o Pick-up Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Coos Bay Public Library Overflow Parking lot off Bennett St. located at 525 Anderson Ave, Coos Bay OR 97420

• Josephine County o Pick-up Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Grants Pass BiMart Parking Lot located at 230 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 9752

Friday July 24

• Del Norte County o Pick-up Time: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Howonquet Hall Community Center located at 101 Indian Ct., Smith River CA 95567

If you have questions, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

June 30, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE: COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS COMMUNITY INPUT

Download Public Notice # 2020-01- 18

The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Council is accepting and encouraging input from Tribal members on the COVID-19 relief funding.

Tribal members must respond by July 11, 2020 and can contribute in three (3) ways:

1. Digital survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TDN_COVID-19relieffunds_input Or at https://www.tolowa-nsn.gov/

2. Comments can be emailed to the Executive Director at exdirector@tolowa.com

3. Written comments can be submitted via the Tribal Administration Office drop box or by mail at 140 Rowdy, Smith River, CA 95567

If you have questions regarding the survey, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

REGULAR SESSION COUNCIL MEETING VIA ZOOM
Download Public Notice #2020-01-17

Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation will be holding a virtual Regular Session Council
Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 1:00pm.
Tribal members are invited to view the meeting by logging into the citizen
portal at www.tolowa-nsn.gov. Once logged in, a link will be available so
you may view and listen to the meeting.
There will be two (2) opportunities for public comment at the following set
times: 1:15 pm and 3:00 pm.
For more information, please contact the Tribal Administration Office at
(707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

May 27, 2020

Public Notice
Download 5.27.2020_Public Notice_ ICDBG

US Department of Housing & Urban Development, Office of Native American Programs, has released Indian Community Development Block –Imminent Threat Grant Funding for Tribal Governments to prepare for, prevent, and respond to COVID-19. Funding is available, on a competitive basis; Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is eligible to apply for up to $900,000.

Several possible projects were considered:
• Additional Housing & Food Relief Programs;
• Food Processing, Storage, and Distribution Facility;
• Expanded Dat-naa-svt Community Center, and
• Isolation/Quarantine Housing

Additional Housing & Food Relief, with ICDBG funding, would have been restricted to low-to-moderate-income households; this need is better met with general relief dollars directly to citizens, so all may benefit; The Food Processing Facility is a good idea, and other corona-relief funds are hoped to renovate existing facilities for this purpose. The Expanded Community Center, at Dat-naa-svt, similarly, is hoped to be funded with other federal dollars. ICDBG dollars cannot supplant funding which is already available.

The need for isolation housing is acute, as nearly all families on the Housing Waitlist report living in overcrowded conditions. The purpose of isolation housing is to prepare the community for a COVID-19 outbreak, and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections, by isolating persons in separate housing, away from others who may be infected, or at risk of infection. The proposed project, if funded, would renovate the existing 15, one-story motel units at Howonquet Village, into 15 isolation Housing units, for use during the emergency. Units are in need of renovation: the project would remove & replace the roof, & improve electric, plumbing, flooring, HVAC, and decks. Kitchenettes would be added so the units are fully-functional for long-term isolation, as needed.

Comments on this project are welcome, please contact: Tim Hoone, Planning Director at 707-487-9255, ext. 1230 or by email at tim.hoone@tolowa.com

May 20, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE
CONTACT INFORMATION FORM NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Download online contact form Public Notice # 2020-01-14

During this coronavirus pandemic, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is utilizing alternative methods of communication such as mass mailings and the One Call Now system to get current information and/or services to our members.

We ask that all Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Members have up to date contact information on file with the Enrollment Office such address changes (mailing and physical), phone number changes, email addresses, and/or legal name changes.

We have updated the old Address Form, to a new Contact Information form in an effort to better serve the Membership. You now have an option to complete and submit the form online at:

https://www.tolowa-nsn.gov/contact-information-change-form/

May 15, 2020
COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Download 5.15.2020_Public Notice_ EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
To help Tribal Members during this coronavirus pandemic, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is offering multiple emergency assistance opportunities. We are utilizing alternative methods of communication including mass mailings and the One Call Now system.

We ask that all Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Members have up to date contact information on file with the Enrollment Office. To verify and or update your enrollment contact information please contact the Enrollment Office at (707) 487-9255 Monday thru Thursday 8 AM-5 PM, or go to
www.tolowa-nsn.gov and click on the link forms. You can fill out the form online and submit. https://www.tolowa-nsn.gov/contact-information-change-form/

Emergency Food Boxes:
Emergency food boxes will be delivered to Tribal member households in the 5-county service area. Deliveries have been made to Del Norte and Curry counties, if you reside in those counties and HAVE NOT received a box, please contact Amanda Duncan at (707) 487-9255, ext. 1223.

For Tribal Members in Humboldt, Josephine, & Coos counties, we hope to have a pick-up site identified in a central location. We will make every effort to notify members of delivery dates, times and locations. We are having supply issues, and we are working on alternative means of assistance into the future.

$100 Emergency Food Assistance Gift Cards:
Tribal members who are 18 years old by May 31, 2020 and who HAVE NOT completed a form to receive a gift card please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19EmergencyAssistance
or to complete the form over the phone please contact, Zackary Chapman at (707) 487-9255, ext. 1165.

Emergency Housing Assistance:
If you are a Tribal member living in the 5-county service area, and have had a reduction in income you may be eligible to receive up to $750 to help pay your rent or mortgage. For more information and/or to apply for Emergency Housing Assistance please visit
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B85TS6R to fill out the application. If you have questions please contact, Jene’ Abad at (707) 487-9255, ext. 1601.