Holy Cross Tribe

Holy Cross Tribe, doing business as Holy Cross Tribal Council, is a federally recognized tribal government located in remote Holy Cross, Alaska, situated in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta along the Yukon River. The community is accessible only by boat, plane, or snowmachine, making it one of Alaska's most isolated settlements. As a prime recipient of federal grant awards, Holy Cross Tribe provides essential services to its residents through various federally funded programs focused on transportation infrastructure, food security, environmental management, and community development. The Tribe has demonstrated consistent engagement with federal grant opportunities, securing multiple awards that reflect its commitment to addressing critical infrastructure and social needs in its remote location.

Holy Cross Tribe's federal grant work spans diverse programmatic areas administered by multiple federal agencies. The Tribe has received substantial funding from the Federal Highway Administration through the Tribal Transportation Program (Highway Planning and Construction, CFDA 20.205), including both formula grants and project grants awarded in fiscal years 2021 through 2026, totaling several hundred thousand dollars for transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects essential to community connectivity. In the food security domain, the Tribe received an $819,600 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Pandemic Relief Activities: Local Food Purchase Agreements program (CFDA 10.182) to establish a Community Food Program providing monthly household food distribution to approximately 200 individuals from 60 families, while supporting socially disadvantaged local farmers and ranchers. Additionally, the Tribe received a Cooperative Agreement from the Agricultural Marketing Service for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA25) to expand local food purchasing initiatives targeting historically underserved producers and small businesses. Environmental stewardship has been another significant focus, with the Tribe receiving a project grant from EPA Region 10 extending through September 2026 to build capacity in environmental program administration, focusing on solid waste management, hazardous waste remediation, and community environmental cleanup efforts. The Tribe also received Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CCPF) support from the Department of Treasury's Departmental Offices for critical capital projects enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including broadband infrastructure improvements. Furthermore, Holy Cross Tribe serves as a sub-award recipient through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the Indigenous Sovereign Habitat Tribal Conservation District initiative, participating in co-management efforts with federal agencies across the Bering Sea-Interior region involving 38 tribes to establish conservation priorities, secure co-management agreements, and support food sovereignty and cultural preservation.