- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — As a means to combat the lack of broadband on tribal lands, bipartisan legislation was introduced last week by Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM-01), Tom Cole (R-OK-04) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (R-AZ-07).
The legislation — called Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act — would accelerate the deployment of broadband services to Native communities and bridge the digital divide facing Native communities.The bill would expedite the deployment of affordable broadband service on Tribal lands by coordinating and improving the effectiveness of federal resources.
In 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimated that 35 percent of Americans living on Tribal lands lacked access to broadband services, compared to eight percent of all Americans. This disparity represents a 27-point gap compared to non-tribal rural areas. The FCC further reports less than half of households on Tribal lands have access to fixed broadband service.
“Access to the internet opens up opportunities for young people and economic growth for entire communities, but Native American communities are the most digitally disconnected in the country,” said Rep. Haaland, co-chair of the Native American Caucus. “Lack of internet access and broadband leads to disparities in student achievement, health outcomes, economic opportunities, and even violence. This broadband bill will deploy broadband so that our communities aren’t left behind in the digital age.”
“In order for tribal governments to reach their highest potential, they must have the ability to utilize the same technologies available to the rest of rural America. By advancing the distribution of affordable broadband service on tribal lands, we can indeed bridge the digital divide and improve tribal economic development and sovereignty,” said Rep. Cole, co-chair of the Native American Caucus.
Adequate access to broadband is essential for strong Tribal economic development and the exercise of Tribal sovereignty, according to Rep. Gallego, who serves as chairman of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples.
“We must take aggressive steps to close the digital divide between Native American and other rural communities by better facilitating the deployment of broadband across Indian Country,” Rep. Gallego said. “That is why I am proud to introduce H.R. 5850, the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act, alongside Representatives Haaland and Cole. H.R. 5850 is the kind of bold plan we need to connect Indian Country and ensure our trust responsibility is upheld.”
The Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act of 2020 will:
- Establish the Tribal Broadband Interagency Working Group to improve coordination across federal broadband programs and reduce deployment barriers;
- Require that technical assistance be provided to interested, underserved Native communities to develop a broadband deployment plan;
- Streamline the application process for federal grants to support the deployment of broadband services on Tribal lands;
- Establish a Tribal Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee;
- Sets aside FCC and USDA funds for the benefit of broadband deployment on Tribal lands; and
- Establish the Tribal Broadband Right-of-Way Pilot Program.
Other original cosponsors of the bill are Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Ed Case (D-HI).
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Seattle Seahawks Tackle Preservation Projects at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center for Annual Day of Service
Native News Weekly (June 15, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
