Padilla, 13 Other Senators Call on Biden Administration to Establish Advisory Group for Urban Indians

On February 3, 2022, Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Jon Tester (D-MT) sent a letter to the Biden Administration requesting the establishment of an Urban Indian Interagency Work Group to identify the needs and develop strategies to better serve urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) worked closely with Senator Padilla on this letter and supports the effort to bring better representation for the needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives who do not reside on Tribal land.

“In light of the goals you outlined in the Biden-Harris Plan for Tribal Nations, specifically to ensure that urban AI/ANs receive ‘quality health care, culturally relevant education, adequate and affordable housing, and other needed resources,’ we urge the administration to form an Urban Indian Interagency Work Group to identify the critical needs of urban AI/AN populations and develop strategies to implement real change that uplifts urban AI/ANs,” wrote the Senators.

The Work Group would help identify federal funding strategies to better address the needs of urban AI/ANs, advance the development of a wellness centered framework to inform health services, strengthen support for practice-based traditional healing approaches, improve Urban Confer policies at Health and Human Services and associated agencies, and ensure that Urban Indian Organizations can regularly meet with federal agencies to address relevant topics of concern.

• The full letter can be found here.
• Senator Padilla’s Press Release