This story was originally published by ICT .

The 2025 government shutdown has reached a new record, and tribal leaders are beginning to run out of patience and funds, with many dipping into their own already strained reserve funding with no promise it’ll be reimbursed.

The 35-day shutdown has violated countless trust and treaty agreements between the United States and tribal nations. With a reduction of monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds violating several tribes’ guarantee of food in exchange for land usage, tribes like the Cherokee Nation are spending millions to protect their people.

The Cherokee Nation allocated more than $11 million of its own resources towards food security measures including $10.5 million in SNAP-like meal vouchers for 60,000 affected citi

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