Tuesday, Mar 19 2013 4:27PM

Native American programs may face significant budget cuts to key programs.

Federal spending cuts felt by a number of agencies may affect Native American funding, and many tribes face financial vulnerabilities as a result, according to the Albert Lea Tribune. 

The U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs programs that service Native Americans saw $130 million in budget cuts, the news source reports. This funding went toward economic community development, school funding, law enforcement, natural resource conservation and human services. Tribes across the country are already experiencing the effects of the cuts, with many districts in New Mexico being forced to reduce pay for teachers and public services providers, despite already having high unemployment rates. 

"To me, it seems very unfair that one of the poorest counties with one of highest Native enrollment in the country has to be impacted the most by sequestration," district superintendent Ray Arsenault told the newspaper. "We are very poor, we're very rural, and it's going to hurt us much more."

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva said he doesn't believe Congress understands the impact the cuts will have on Native American tribes.

Several agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are facing cuts to key programs that help the most vulnerable achieve financial success. 

For more information, check out this resource: The Albert Lea Tribune