NCUIH Joins Indian Country Coalition in Urging the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary to Uphold Tribal Sovereignty and Protect Funding for Native Programs
On February 14, 2025, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) joined a coalition of Tribal Organizations and national Native organizations in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to congratulate Secretary Kennedy on his confirmation and request to meet to discuss implementing President Trump’s priorities in a manner that recognizes the sovereign governmental status of Tribal Nations and the United States’ longstanding trust and treaty obligations. The letter also requests that HHS ensure funding to Tribal Nations, Tribal citizens, and Tribal communities is neither paused nor reduced. Additionally, it urges HHS to exempt the Indian Health Service (IHS) and all employees in Tribal offices—or those responsible for delivering services or funding to Tribal Nations, their citizens, or communities—from any workforce reductions.
Read the letter here.
About the Tribal Coalition
NCUIH has joined a coalition with over 20 Tribal organizations to ensure administrative actions account for the government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the United States and the trust and treaty responsibility to Tribal nations and citizens.
The coalition has been active in creating joint messages to share with policy makers, sending letters to key administration officials, and developing advocacy strategies. Access the Tribal Coalition’s online resource hub, where you can find our letters and other advocacy tools.
