As 2024 draws to a close, Indian Country reflects on a pivotal period of progress and challenges during the Biden-Harris administration. We have seen a renewed federal commitment to tribal sovereignty, economic development, and cultural preservation, as well as  state-level successes that further amplified Native voices. In many ways, this administration has addressed issues that have long impacted Indigenous communities. 

A year of milestones

At the federal level, Native nations benefitted from sustained funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These investments have facilitated infrastructure and energy improvements, including broadband access, road construction, and clean energy projects leveraging solar, wind, and geothermal resources across Indian Country. Additionally, the Department of Treasury received more than $530 million in investments for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Indian Country.

Louisiana state tribes also made advances. In 2024, Louisiana tribes restored river cane habitats in Kisatchie National Forest. This initiative, led by the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, helped to revive traditional basket weaving practices and enhance local ecosystems. River cane, a native bamboo species, has declined by 98% during the past century, impacting both cultural traditions and environmental health. The restoration efforts not only support the preservation of Indigenous crafts but also contribute to soil stabilization and water filtration. 

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana initiated an affordable housing project, breaking ground on a $6.4 million development to construct 19 new homes on their reservation. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD), the FY23 Indian Housing Block Competitive Grant Program, seeks to provide safe and accessible housing for elderly, displaced, and low-income Tribal citizens. The project addresses critical housing shortages and seeks to improve living conditions for its members

The Biden-Harris commitment

The Biden-Harris administration appointed Deb Haaland  of Laguna Pueblo as Secretary of the Interior—the first Native American to hold a cabinet position. Haaland’s leadership has addressed long-standing land, water, and cultural resource disputes.

The administration reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2022 and the 30th anniversary of the act in 2024 empowering tribes to address gender-based violence. These measures include more than $690 million in grants to support survivors, the establishment of a Department of Justice resource center to address cybercrimes such as online stalking, and creating  an office of gender-based violence within HUD to assist with housing and economic needs. These actions enhanced protections and support systems for survivors nationwide.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) and subsequent relief packages allocated billions to tribal governments to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribes were able to provide direct aid to citizens, expand healthcare services and infrastructure. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funded transportation, housing, and water projects, addressing decades of underfunding.

Efforts to protect sacred sites and ancestral lands also saw progress. The restoration of protections for Bears Ears National Monument and the return of tribal lands through the Land Buy-Back Program signaled a federal commitment to reversing historical injustices.

Challenges and the road ahead

Despite these successes, challenges such as NAHASDA (Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act) have yet to see permanent reauthorization, leaving housing security in Indian Country at risk. Similarly, the fight for clean water and the protection of sacred lands from extractive industries continues.

The broader political landscape also casts uncertainty on future progress. With a Republican-controlled Congress and White House set to take office in 2025, tribes may face a rollback of key policies or reduced federal funding. It is crucial that the bipartisan momentum established during this administration is not lost.

The Biden-Harris administration has demonstrated that when tribal nations are empowered as equal partners, progress can be made. The strength of Indian Country also requires tribal communities to remain resilient and innovative.. As we enter 2025, we must ensure  that the voices of Indigenous peoples remain central to the national conversation.

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Brandi Liberty is an enrolled member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska and a descendant of the United Houma Nation in Southern Louisiana. She is the owner of The Luak Group and its subsidiary...