Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor and commemorate Native American culture while also acknowledging the historical wrongs and socioeconomic inequities that disproportionately impact them today. Prosperity Now spoke with Melanie McFalls about Native American Heritage Month and her work as the tax administrator and VITA program leader for the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. Read on to see what we learned from Melanie’s experience working with the Native American community while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As the sole administrator for the tax department, Melanie collects tax revenue for the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, located in Fallon, NV. She administers a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, working with approximately 300 clients each year. However, COVID-19 and national lockdown mandates caused that number to drop to 180 clients in 2020, as many people could not receive services in person. The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths has also remained high for the tribe, and COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Native American communities across the country.  As people have returned to receiving in-person services this fall, the department continues to take extra precautions to ensure the safety and health of all clients and staff. Melanie hopes to expand tax prep service to the senior center in Fallon, which will allow her to serve that population more directly. 

Greater cultural competency and understanding of the economic challenges that specifically impact the Native American community are necessary to address persistent financial barriers.

Melanie also discussed some of the challenges facing the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, specifically the barriers that inhibit them from using financial and banking services outside of the reservation. Many institutions are unaware of the tax credits, income exemptions and other benefits Native American people are eligible for, which creates some anxiety around seeking outside services. Greater cultural competency and understanding of the economic challenges that specifically impact the Native American community are necessary to address persistent financial barriers. To create a more equitable society for all people, practitioners, advocates, policymakers and more must address the needs of all communities and ensure that Native American people can pursue economic stability and prosperity. 

To learn more about the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, visit their website.