Moapa, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met with the Tribal Council of the Moapa Band of Paiutes and participated in a tour of the Moapa River Indian Reservation on Wednesday. During her meeting, Senator Cortez Masto discussed how best she can partner with the Moapa Band of Paiutes in working with the federal government and discussed her work advocating on their behalf as a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
“The Tribal to federal trust relationship is a serious responsibility and moral obligation. It is clear to me after my conversation with the Tribal Council of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, and other Native American communities in Nevada, that Congress must do more to uphold our end of the bargain. On Wednesday, I toured a community teeming with natural beauty and a centuries-long history of proud cultural and historic achievements.”
“The Moapa Band of Paiutes have worked on the land of the Moapa Valley for decades and they’ve created innovative ways to invest in their communities through renewable energy partnerships. I was pleased to hear from leaders of the Moapa Band of Paiutes about how we can continue to work together to address the issues affecting Indian Country. I hope my visit today will lead to more progress and closer collaboration that will result in an even stronger trust relationship, economic growth, prosperity and a renewed commitment on behalf of local, state and federal leaders to hearing the voices of our Native communities.”
“I am very impressed with the Moapa Paiute Tribe’s leadership in investing in clean energy projects. The Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project will provide power to thousands of homes in the next 25 years and create hundreds of good paying jobs for Nevada families. I was also inspired and proud of the work the Moapa Band of Paiutes undertook in restoring the White Narrows Dam after the infrastructure collapsed in the historic flooding in Southern Nevada.”
“Nevada is fortunate to have a strong Native American community, and I will continue to honor the sacred trust responsibility with Nevada’s Native communities, advocate for more investments in solar power and projects in partnership with Nevada tribal communities, and fight to ensure our Native communities have the funding and programs they need to succeed.”
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