PRESS RELEASE: Indian Health Service Allocates Vaccines for Urban Indian Organizations

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Policy Contact: Meredith Raimondi, mraimondi@NCUIH.org

Press Contact: Sara Williams, swilliams@NCUIH.org

After being excluded in previous pandemics, this is a step in the right direction for urban Indians.

Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2020) – The Indian Health Service (IHS) began the allocation process for the COVID-19 vaccine to IHS facilities, Tribal-facilities and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). As part of the 1A distribution process, initial doses from IHS are for Indian Health Care Providers and residents of long-term health centers. Since the start of the pandemic, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) has advocated for the vaccine distribution to include all of Indian Country, including urban Indian populations.

“As the data continues to show, this pandemic is killing our people at devastating rates as Indian Country bears the brunt of this crisis,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), NCUIH CEO. “With the approval of the vaccine, there is a glimmer of hope. As urban Indians were left out of the H1N1 vaccine discussions, we are encouraged to see that Urban Indian Organizations and their staff who are providing life-saving care to our communities were among the first wave to receive vaccines.”

The Gerald Ignace Center in Wisconsin was one of the first UIOs to receive the vaccine for their health care workers. (See the video here.)

Next Steps

  • A full schedule of the organizations receiving the vaccine is not publicly available from the Administration.
  • NCUIH will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Background

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national 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 is the only organization that represents all 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) federally funded by the Indian Health Service.

PRESS RELEASE: NCAI Supports HHS Urban Confer Policy and Extending Medical Care Protections for UIOs

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Contact: Sara Williams, swilliams@NCUIH.org

NCAI passed several resolutions in support of expanding access to health care for urban Indians.

Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2020) – On Friday, November 13, 2020, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) passed several resolutions aimed at improving the health and welfare of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas.  Two resolutions support the extension of coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to urban Indian organizations (UIOs) and the development of an urban confer policy with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NCAI also reiterated their support for IHS-VA parity for UIOs in a resolution through the Veterans Committee (a resolution on IHS-VA parity for UIOs was passed in 2019). The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) has long-advocated for parity for health services for urban Indians including FTCA for UIOs, IHS-VA parity for UIOs, and an urban confer policy. The support from NCAI is critical to continuing to advance these priorities that will improve health outcomes for all of Indian Country as we face COVID-19.

“We appreciate our partnership with NCAI and their commitment to bolstering urban Indian health to ensure that urban Natives have access to health care amid a pandemic that knows no borders,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), NCUIH CEO. “Families in our urban areas depend on the life-saving resources offered by our programs more than ever and this will allow their dollars to go further at a critical time. Congress and the Administration must take immediate steps to uphold the trust and treaty obligations to urban Indians by acting swiftly on these policies.”

Currently, UIOs must divert scarce dollars that could go towards health care delivery to pay for expensive malpractice insurance; this insurance can cost up to $250,000 per year for a UIO. The other components of the IHS system and even Community Health Centers receive medical malpractice coverage under the FTCA and thus do not have to divert these resources. Legislation providing FTCA coverage for UIOs enjoyed widespread and bipartisan support in the last Congressional session, including within the President’s FY 2021 proposed budget and with the endorsement of Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee.

In addition, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is currently the only federal agency that has an urban confer policy and thus must engage with UIOs regarding policy actions likely to significantly impact them. As urban Indians often have no representation outside of the Indian Health Service, they are excluded such as inclusion in the H1N1 vaccine distribution process. That means that the over 70% American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas are left out of decision-making conversations that affect health outcomes.

In the most recent instance of exclusion, HHS gave IHS a deadline to choose a distribution plan for an eventual COVID-19 vaccine, either through their state or from IHS directly. This correspondence was only addressed to tribal leaders, leaving UIO leaders out of the discussion. Urban Indian organization leaders did not receive notice of the deadline, sufficient information to make a decision or a platform to ask questions and discuss concerns. The overall confusion and delay further demonstrates the real need for HHS to develop an urban confer policy. The Resolution PDX-20-021 calls for the Secretary of HHS to implement its urban confer policy across the Department and its divisions.

The IHS-VA parity for UIOs is a priority that has received broad support across Indian Country including from last year’s resolution at NCAI. Allowing urban Native veterans to have improved access to critical health services upholds the US government’s obligations to these heroes as Natives and as veterans.

Next Steps

NCUIH will continue to advocate to Congress to enact legislation to provide FTCA for UIOs (H.R. 6535 / S. 3650). Earlier this year, H.R. 6535 passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources and S. 3650 passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Parity for urban Native veterans through the Coverage for Urban Indian Health Providers Act (H.R. 4153/ S. 2365) has also passed the House Natural Resources Committee. NCUIH is working with Congress to see if these provisions can be passed before the start of 2021 so that UIOs can start the new year with expanded resources. NCUIH will also work with Congress to develop legislation on an urban confer policy and coordinate with the Administration.

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.

Press Release: NCUIH Honors Senator Tom Udall with Lifetime Champion Award

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Policy Contact: Meredith Raimondi, mraimondi@NCUIH.org

Press Contact: Sara Williams, swilliams@NCUIH.org,

This award is presented to a Member of Congress who advocates for quality health care legislation for American Indians and Alaska Natives in urban areas.

Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2020) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health is pleased to award Senator Tom Udall with the first Urban Indian Health Congressional Lifetime Champion Award.

“We are proud to award Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico with the first Urban Indian Health Congressional Lifetime Champion Award,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), NCUIH CEO. “Senator Udall’s commitment and tireless efforts championing for quality health care legislation has and will create a lasting difference in the health outcomes of American Indians and Alaska Natives who live in urban areas.”

The Urban Indian Health Congressional Lifetime Champion is awarded to a Member of Congress who has made a lasting impact through championing health legislation to benefit urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).

“The federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to Native Americans do not stop at reservation boundaries,” said Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). “Nearly 70 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas and Congress must ensure they have access to quality health care — especially during this public health crisis. It has been an honor to work with the National Council of Urban Indian Health to ensure better access to health care for Native Americans no matter where they live. We must continue the work to build a stronger, better Indian Health Service system for generations to come.”

Throughout his career, Sen. Tom Udall, Vice-Chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has prioritized the trust and treaty responsibility to Indian Country, including urban Indians. Because of his leadership, the health outcomes for urban Indians have considerably improved through the expansion of services at Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Earlier this year, Sen. Udall introduced a bipartisan bill to expand health care resources for UIOs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is just one example of how Sen. Udall springs into action to ensure tribal members living in urban areas are not left behind.

“We truly are grateful for Senator Udall,” Crevier said. “Not only has he made tremendous efforts for our UIOs, but he has left a lasting impact on Indian Country as a whole.”

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Announces Partnership with CDC’s Project Firstline

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Contact: Meredith Raimondi, mraimondi@NCUIH.org, 202-932-6615

Project Firstline aims to provide health workers foundations for infection control; trainings to equip with skills and best practices in fight against COVID-19.

Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2020) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating on an infection control training initiative for frontline healthcare personnel, including Urban Indian Organization health workers.

“We are thrilled that CDC’s Project Firstline is inclusive of the frontline health heroes serving American Indians and Alaska Natives since day one of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), NCUIH CEO. “The trainings offered through Project Firstline will be beneficial for urban Indian health workers to enhance their skills and practices as they continue the fight against COVID-19 that is ravaging our communities.”

CDC’s Project Firstline is a collaborative of diverse healthcare and public health partners that will provide infection control training for millions of healthcare workers in the United States, as well as members of the public health workforce.

Project Firstline aims to provide every person working in a U.S. healthcare facility the foundation for infection control trainings to protect the nation from infectious disease threats, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

NCUIH is currently accepting applications for the Project Firstline IPC Champions Grant until October 30, 2020, and for UIO Staff Professional Development Scholarships on a rolling basis. Learn more about NCUIH’s commitment to CDC’s Project Firstline here.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Honored with 2020 Heroes in Health National Impact Award

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Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2020) – On October 14, 2020, the National Indian Health Board honored and awarded the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) with an Outstanding Service Award for National Impact. The National Impact Award is given to individuals, programs and organizations who led health advocacy efforts across Indian Country to improve the lives and health of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

“The National Council of Urban Indian Health is honored to receive this award for our work on COVID-19,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), NCUIH CEO. “Since February, NCUIH has been fighting to ensure that all of Indian Country receives the necessary resources to combat this pandemic that is killing our people every single day. Due to our advocacy, resources for urban Indians were included in all legislation addressing COVID-19.  With our partners, we continue to apply pressure to Congress to ensure appropriate resources are included in every legislative packages on COVID-19.  We are working to ensure that frontline health heroes in Indian Country must receive access to PPE, supplies, and testing, as they risk their lives every day. We will continue to hold this Administration and Congress to their trust and treaty obligations.”

NCUIH commends urban Indian health leader Toni Lodge, CEO of the NATIVE Project in Spokane, Washington for being recognized for a 2020 Area and Regional Impact Award.

Other National Impact Awardees include Dr. Donald Warne, Dr. Winifred Booker, Indian Health Service, Division of Environmental Health Services, Strong Hearts Native Helpline, and Native American Research Internship in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah. The 2020 Heroes in Health Award Gala, which was held virtually this year, is an annual event as part of the National Tribal Health Conference.

PRESS RELEASE: First Presidential Candidate Platform to Include Urban Indians

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Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

Biden campaign announces plan to continue support of tribal rights and sovereignty, extend protections to urban Indians

Washington, D.C. (October 9, 2020) – On October 8, Democratic Presidential candidate former Vice-President Joe Biden, with running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, announced a Tribal policy plan that will build on efforts made by the Obama administration, “which were instrumental in rebuilding trust, good faith and respect for the tribal-federal relationship.” This is, the first plan from any US Presidential Candidate to prioritize resources for the over 70% of American Indians and Alaska Natives that live in cities.

“The United States of America was founded on the notion of equality for all,” the 15-page document starts. “We’ve always strived to meet that ideal, but never fully lived up to it. Throughout our history, this promise has been denied to Native Americans who have lived on this land since time immemorial.”   “This is an historic day for urban Indians,” said Francys Crevier (Algonquin), CEO of NCUIH. “There has never been a plan like this that included American Indians and Alaska Natives in urban areas. I’m glad presidential candidates are finally listening to us and I hope that all potential candidates take the trusty and treaty obligation seriously and include a platform dedicated to Indian Country.”

From the plan: “Meeting obligations to urban Native Americans. According to the 2010 Census, over half of Native Americans live off reservation. Biden will ensure that we don’t leave anyone behind by creating a strategy to support our country’s urban Indian populations, ensure that their voices are heard by the federal government, and to fight invisibility of urban Indians across the country. That means ensuring that urban Native American populations have the support they need to access quality health care, culturally relevant education, adequate and affordable housing, and other needed resources. This includes ensuring that Urban Indian Organizations receive 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) for Medicaid, just as IHS tribal providers already receive.”

Other important points from the policy plan for Indian Country include:

  • Tackle the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
  • Provide reliable, affordable healthcare.
  • Invest in Native students.
  • Ensure Tribal nations will have a strong voice and role in federal government.
  • Immediately reinstate and make permanent the White House Council on Native American Affairs and the Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference.
  • Make Tribal self-governance and sovereignty cornerstones of federal policy.
  • Restore Tribal lands and safeguard natural and cultural resources.
  • Tackle climate change and pollution
  • Expand economic and community development in Indian Country
  • Fight for Native voting rights.

For more information on the Biden policy plan for Indian Country, click here.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national 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 is the only organization that represents all 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) federally funded by the Indian Health Service.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH URGES CONGRESS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROVIDE COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR INDIAN COUNTRY AT HEARING TODAY

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THE LAST COVID-19 PACKAGE WAS SIX MONTHS AGO.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

Washington, DC (September 30, 2020) – On September 30, Francys Crevier (Algonquin), Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), testified before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to provide updates on urban Indian health impacts of COVID-19. In addition to Ms. Crevier, the Subcommittee heard from Kevin J. Allis, CEO of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle, COO and Director of Public Health Policy and Programs at the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). The hearing highlighted the non-partisan commitment of this subcommittee to upholding and honoring trust responsibilities to Indian Country.

“[I]t is my duty today to convey to you the severity of this crisis and how it is impacting the Indian Health System including our 41 [urban Indian organizations]. The last time a law was enacted was six months ago, the CARES Act of March 27, 2020, where Indian Country received a mere 0.5% of the total funding. The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on Indian Country as our people are disproportionately contracting and dying every single day from COVID-19. Since mid-July alone, when I last testified, IHS has seen a 51% increase in infections. Positive rates among Natives are 3.5 times higher than rates for non-Hispanic Whites and hospitalization rates are 4.7 times higher. Last week, CDC reported Native children were among the 78% of pediatric deaths. Black and brown children are dying and no one is paying attention,” stated Francys Crevier, CEO of NCUIH.

“The need to examine and address the ongoing situation in Indian Country is apparent. Congress needs to understand the full impact of the pandemic on Native Americans, and how to better meet the needs of the communities you are testifying on behalf of in future relief packages. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve advocated for personal protective equipment, or PPE, complete test kits, and other supplies to be made available to Indian health facilities and to Tribal governments. Without these items, Native Americans are unable to ensure their safety while receiving essential government services, such as health care, welfare checks, law enforcement services, and domestic violence assistance,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chair Betty McCollum.

“I recognize that COVID-19 has hit Indian Country disproportionately harder than the rest of the nation, that the situation is dire, and that additional funding is needed not only to keep tribal governments and communities functioning but to save lives. If there was ever a time for the Subcommittee to hold firm in its non-partisan commitment to tribes, this is it,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Ranking Member David Joyce.

Ms. Crevier’s testimony focused on the current status of UIOs, including:

  • The need for additional resources for testing and contact tracing with $2 billion for IHS and $64 million for UIOs;
  • Equitable distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine once approved, with a minimum 5% set-aside for the I/T/U system;
  • $80 million in facilities funding for UIOs;
  • $1 million for a UIO infrastructure study;
  • $7.3 million annually for 3 years in behavioral health funds for UIOs; and
  • $20 million in telehealth and health information technology funds for UIOs; and a spend-faster anomaly to insulate UIOs and the entire I/T/U system from the dire consequences of a potential government shutdown.

NEXT STEPS

The House released a new COVID-19 package this week. Discussions between the White House and Congressional leadership are ongoing, however, time is running out before Congress departs until after the election.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Urges Congress to Take Immediate Action to Provide COVID-19 Resources for Indian Country at Hearing Today

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The last COVID-19 package was six months ago.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

Washington, DC (September 30, 2020) – On September 30, Francys Crevier (Algonquin), Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), testified before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to provide updates on urban Indian health impacts of COVID-19. In addition to Ms. Crevier, the Subcommittee heard from Kevin J. Allis, CEO of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle, COO and Director of Public Health Policy and Programs at the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). The hearing highlighted the non-partisan commitment of this subcommittee to upholding and honoring trust responsibilities to Indian Country.

“[I]t is my duty today to convey to you the severity of this crisis and how it is impacting the Indian Health System including our 41 [urban Indian organizations]. The last time a law was enacted was six months ago, the CARES Act of March 27, 2020, where Indian Country received a mere 0.5% of the total funding. The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on Indian Country as our people are disproportionately contracting and dying every single day from COVID-19. Since mid-July alone, when I last testified, IHS has seen a 51% increase in infections. Positive rates among Natives are 3.5 times higher than rates for non-Hispanic Whites and hospitalization rates are 4.7 times higher. Last week, CDC reported Native children were among the 78% of pediatric deaths. Black and brown children are dying and no one is paying attention,” stated Francys Crevier, CEO of NCUIH.

“The need to examine and address the ongoing situation in Indian Country is apparent. Congress needs to understand the full impact of the pandemic on Native Americans, and how to better meet the needs of the communities you are testifying on behalf of in future relief packages. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve advocated for personal protective equipment, or PPE, complete test kits, and other supplies to be made available to Indian health facilities and to Tribal governments. Without these items, Native Americans are unable to ensure their safety while receiving essential government services, such as health care, welfare checks, law enforcement services, and domestic violence assistance,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chair Betty McCollum.

“I recognize that COVID-19 has hit Indian Country disproportionately harder than the rest of the nation, that the situation is dire, and that additional funding is needed not only to keep tribal governments and communities functioning but to save lives. If there was ever a time for the Subcommittee to hold firm in its non-partisan commitment to tribes, this is it,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Ranking Member David Joyce.

Ms. Crevier’s testimony focused on the current status of UIOs, including:

  • The need for additional resources for testing and contact tracing with $2 billion for IHS and $64 million for UIOs;
  • Equitable distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine once approved, with a minimum 5% set-aside for the I/T/U system;
  • $80 million in facilities funding for UIOs;
  • $1 million for a UIO infrastructure study;
  • $7.3 million annually for 3 years in behavioral health funds for UIOs; and
  • $20 million in telehealth and health information technology funds for UIOs; and a spend-faster anomaly to insulate UIOs and the entire I/T/U system from the dire consequences of a potential government shutdown.

Next Steps

The House released a new COVID-19 package this week. Discussions between the White House and Congressional leadership are ongoing, however, time is running out before Congress departs until after the election.

PRESS RELEASE: 2020 National Urban Indian Youth Advisory Council Members Announced; 2019 Class Youth Council Announces Winners from Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign

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This year NCUIH received a record number of applicants for the Youth Council.

Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2020) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) proudly announces the 2020 cohort of National Urban Indian Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council Members (Youth Council).  The 2020 – 2021 class of NCUIH Youth Council members include Elizabeth Alexander (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma), Taejonon Denetclaw, (Navajo Nation), Lauren Etcitty (Navajo Nation), Samuel Stollenwerck (Cherokee Nation), and Tia Yazzie (Navajo).

“In a time of political and national unrest, promoting the voices of our Native youth is of tantamount importance. In a year of record applicants to our Youth Council, it is clear that our youth are yearning to connect with each other. We are proud of the Indigi-Wellness Healer campaign ran by our most recent cohort to promote healthy relationships and Native healing. We can’t wait to see what these five new leaders do in the next year when we all can benefit from resources during these challenge times,” said Francys Crevier, Chief Executive Officer of NCUIH.

Meet the 2020 Youth Council

Elizabeth Alexander
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Shawnee, OK		 Taejonon Denetclaw
Navajo Nation
Albuquerque, NM		 Lauren Etcitty
Navajo Nation
Flagstaff, AZ		 Samuel Stollenwerck Cherokee Nation
Golden, CO		 Tia Yazzie
Navajo Nation
West Valley City, UT

About the Youth Council

The NCUIH Youth Council (Youth Council) was created to uplift our Native youth and young adults and make sure they have a seat at the table to advocate for better access to prevention and recovery services to address the challenges facing American Indian and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. The Youth Council consists of 5 young adults, between the ages of 18 to 24, who will be working over a 12 month period to advance prevention and awareness of youth suicide, substance misuse, and mental health challenges faced by urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and young adults. Since 2018, the NCUIH partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created opportunities for Native young adults to share, learn, and advocate for initiatives to address suicide and substance misuse in AI/AN communities, while providing a leadership experience to assist and support their professional development.

Selection Process

NCUIH’s National Urban Indian Youth Council applicants were selected from a pool of highly competitive youth applicants, between the ages of 18 and 24, which provided for consideration a comprehensive application judged by an independent review committee of partnering organizations including the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), United National Indian Tribal National Youth Inc. (UNITY), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) , the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) and THRIVE. NCUIH sincerely thanks the staff who supported the review of Youth Council applications.

2019 Class Youth Council Announces Winners from Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign

In addition to the selection of NCUIH’s 2020 class of youth council members, NCUIH acknowledges the work of the 2019 Youth Council class in successfully completing their Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign using the hashtags #IndigiLove and #NativeLove. Winners

  • 1st Place – Marina McDermott (Blackfeet Cree from Seattle, WA)
  • 2nd Place – Stevi Johnson (Absentee Shawnee from Oklahoma City, OK)
  • 3rd Place Mikail Melcher (Mi’kmaq) West Roxbury, MA

As Native youth continue to struggle with wellness challenges because of COVID-19, NCUIH’s youth council created a platform that amplifies youth voices and stories to the national level through its Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign (www.ncuih.org/indigiwellnesshealer). The Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign was a social media campaign by Native Youth for Native Youth consisting of two hashtag themes – #NativeHealing and #IndigiLove – to express the importance of mental & physical wellness and healthy Native relationships, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign aimed to inspire Native youth to heal, to promote self- love, and love between family, friends, and partners. It is the 2019 Youth Council’s hope that this will improve the overall health of Native youth for future generations.  The campaign was conducted in partnership with UNITY, CNAY, WeRNative, and Healthy Native Youth.

 

NCUIH Youth Council Indigi-Wellness Healer Infographic

Learn more about the Youth Council here or contact Sebouh Kouyoumjian, MPA/HSA at (202) 544-0344 or skouyoumjian@ncuih.org.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian HealthThe National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national 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 is the only organization that represents all 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) federally funded by the Indian Health Service.

PRESS RELEASE: National Native Organizations Come Together in Support of Hope for Life Day for Indigenous Communities During Suicide Prevention Week

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According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death of AI/ANs.


Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2020) – This week, National Native Organizations (the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health Board and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board) came together to honor and celebrate Hope for Life Day (September 10, 2020) to bring awareness to the suicide disparities faced by Indigenous people across the U.S., especially our youth.  With suicide being the second leading cause of death of American Indian and Alaska Natives, it is important to promote hope and resilience resources to counter the effects of current COVID-19 isolation practices which can lead to stress, worry and depression.“The pandemic of suicide has been taking precious Native lives for far too long. With the new pandemic of COVID-19 ravaging Native communities, it is more important than ever that we find ways to bring the community together and highlight the resilience of our people. This week, we joined with the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to promote hope, life, cultural resiliency and community transformation during this important week. As our population is being decimated by the deadly virus of COVID-19, we need our youth to know that we need them here now more than ever. One more death is too many,” said Francys Crevier, NCUIH Chief Executive Officer.

“The National Indian Health Board recognizes that many American Indians and Alaska Natives are experiencing extraordinary challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is within our purview as Tribal leaders, community members, parents, elders and neighbors to watch out and protect one another, especially our Native youth. Hope for Life Day brings together community for the purpose of healing and brings a sense of hope to those who may be suffering and having thoughts of suicide. NIHB is proud to be a part of the solution for Indian Country by providing technical assistance to the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) grantees. We have seen much progress and success with the program as it fosters community mobilization and a community driven approach to these concerns – providing a beacon of hope for many,” said NIHB CEO Stacy A. Bohlen.

“In the world that is sadly filled too much with hate, ugliness, hurt, we can find hope and the light in those we love. The simple hellos, the simple how are you, the simple it’s good to see you, is a light we can all give without hesitation. Because it’s those little things that may often mean the world to someone without us even realizing it. So please if you can do anything on this day, tomorrow and every day after, please be kind, please love one another, please uplift a loved one, a friend, a relative and even a stranger… be that light today that our future needs,” says NPAIHB Chairman Nickolaus Lewis.

In 2015, the Annual National American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Hope for Life Day (Suicide Prevention Awareness Day) was put forward as a resolution at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Conference in 2015 after a year collaborative effort by the Action Alliance’s AI/AN Task Force. Since then, National Native Organizations have partnered each year on September 10, which is during Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness.

This week the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s (NPAIHB) THRIVE/ WeRNative initiatives partnered to host a Hope for Life Media Campaign for Suicide Prevention, using the hashtag #HopeForLife. Resources and positive messaging were shared via social media sites, respectively, which will continue to be available to the community through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

On Wednesday, September 9, NCUIH co-hosted a Facebook live event with NIHB and NPAIHB THRIVE/WeRNative titled “Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19”, where representatives from both urban and tribal communities, as well as youth shared on their suicide prevention and awareness activities.  The American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS), an Urban Indian Organization in Detroit, presented on their Sacred Bundle and “post-vention” programs to support the continuation of mental health screenings for the youth and adults in their community during the pandemic. Adon Vasquez (Cherokee) and Karyna Sitkowski presented from AIHFS.  Also, Mr. Roger Clark (Paiute) from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah presented on their Mus- Pu-Vu Program, funded by the former Indian Health Service MSPI Program (Methamphetamine, Suicide, Prevention Initiative).  Ms. Lael Tate (Diné),  Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator, shared outcomes from the NPAIHB’s youth conference that transitioned to virtual due to COVID-19.  During the conference youth created art, poetry and videos to promote their #IndigiLoveBeginsWithI recently released campaign. A video was shared that captured the event’s experience through their own words and pictures.

The Facebook event recording is available here.

Facebook Live Event  –  Lael Tate (Diné),  Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator, NPAIHB

On Thursday, September 10, the organizations hosted a Tweetstorm event: #HopeForLife. Sample messaging was provided to use during this time, to raise awareness of common warning signs for suicide, resources for self-care, and mental health resources to share with others.

This year’s NCUIH Youth Council created an Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign ahead of Hope for Life Day where they created 2 infographics and ran an online social media campaign to promote healthy relationships and prevent suicide in youth. Last year, the NCUIH Youth Council hosted a month-long Indigi-Wellness Champion Campaign that kicked off on Hope for Life Day.

NCUIH Youth Council Indigi-Wellness Healer Infographic

More resources and information are available online for the Hope for Life Campaign.

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Learn More

Facebook Event: Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19
Watch the Facebook Event: Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19
Watch Recording

Social Media Campaign Graphics

 

About the National Council of Urban Indian Health

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national 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 is the only organization that represents all 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) federally funded by the Indian Health Service.

About the National Indian Health Board

Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, the National Indian Heatlh Board (NIHB) seeks to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for our People.

About the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB or the Board) is a non-profit tribal advisory organization serving the forty-three federally recognized tribes of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. NPAIHB houses a tribal epidemiology center, several health promotion disease prevention projects, and is active in Indian health policy. We R Native is housed at the Board and is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. We R Native strives to promote holistic health and positive growth in local communities and the nation at large. The suicide prevention project at the Board is Tribal Health: Reaching out InVolves Everyone (THRIVE).

Tweetstorm
Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615