FORT TOTTEN – The Spirit Lake Tribal Council has declared a state of emergency due to the federal government shutdown.
The council met Tuesday and declared the emergency for food and heating assistance in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The council also noted the potential impact the shutdown has on essential federal programs.
The Spirit Lake Food Distribution Program has reported an increase in families seeking assistance since the start of the current fiscal year. The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services has announced that SNAP benefits, which can be used for food, may be paused beginning November 1. This could impact the food distribution program.
Programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are not affected, but the tribal council said uncertainty remains.
Chairwoman Lonna Jackson Street says that while the council hopes ‘for a quick resolution’ from its federal partners, the council ‘must act now to protect our community.’
