PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH’s 2nd Washington Summit Highlights include Keynotes from IHS, NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata and Professor Matthew Fletcher

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
Manager, Communications & Events
National Council of Urban Indian Health
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH’s 2^nd Washington Summit Highlights include Keynotes from IHS, NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata and Professor Matthew Fletcher

This week, the National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit.

Washington, DC (April 23, 2019) — The National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit on April 23 and 24 in Washington, DC. With an expected attendance of over 120 individuals from urban Indian Health Programs across the country and 10 federal agencies, the Summit’s theme is One Voice Acting Strategically to improve our Health through Policy and Partnerships.

“We are pleased to have an opportunity for urban Indian health programs (UIHPs) to meet with leaders from federal agencies especially after the government shutdown impacted so many of our facilities. We expect fruitful conversations that will help all of us to work to better serve American Indians and Alaska Natives no matter where they live,” said Executive Director Francys Crevier.

The Summit includes keynotes from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, Principal Deputy Director, Indian Health Service (IHS) on Tuesday, April 23 and Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director, IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs on Wednesday, April 24. Other keynotes include Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI) and Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University. NCUIH Youth Council Members Shoshanna Johnson and Adon Vazquez will present on “Using Social Media Campaigns to Raise Awareness: Suicide and Substance Misuse Prevention for Native American Youth”.

The following federal agencies will send representatives: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Veterans Affairs,Indian Health Service – Division of Behavioral Health, Health Resources and Service Administration, Administration for Native Americans, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services.

The Honorary Host Committee includes Congressman Tom Cole, Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum with Senator John Hoeven, Senator Jon Tester, Senator Tom Udall, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

This year’s Summit is sponsored by:

The Summit artwork is by Kevin Tushka. “Arrowheads practice precision and pierce the elements. On the left side of this arrowhead: a pregnant woman carries her family’s water; a man serenades on flute, an elderly chief’s eyes carry the wisdom and weight of life in extremes. The right side: a young WWI veteran, a woman petitioning at a podium, a violin is played while muscular arms cross to represent many Native masters of Arts and fitness in this day. Lessons and stories were told over fires and our stories won’t end. We will pierce the future and stake the flag of heritage everywhere he hit our targets,” said Kevin Tushka, Summit Artist.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.