NIHB staff supported the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2024 Midyear Conference. During the General Assembly on Thursday, June 6, NIHB Vice Chairman Sam Moose, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, provided an update on the work of NIHB to the NCAI delegates. Vice Chairman Moose expressed the importance of having a Tribally led organization advocating for the health priorities of Indian Country.
On Monday, June 3, Alanna Cronk, Ventureño Chumash, NIHB's Government Relations Coordinator, led a workshop titled "Our Sovereign and Sacred Medicine: What CMS Needs to Know About Traditional Healing" on the significance of traditional healing in CMS programs and services, updating attendees on tribes' efforts to secure reimbursement for such services through Medicaid waivers. Cronk began the workshop providing background information and updates on Tribe’s years-long efforts to receive reimbursement for traditional healing services through Medicaid through 1115 waivers. The session continued with an interactive discussion where participants shared ways that traditional healing services could be better supported, some challenges programs face, and general guidance to improve collaboration with federal agencies working on this topic.
If you want your traditional healing program featured in a showcase that will supplement NIHB’s traditional healing project and demonstrate the diversity of traditional healing across Indian Country, submit this online form or contact Alanna Cronk at acronk@nihb.org.
Vice Chairman Moose, and A.C. Locklear, Lumbee, NIHB Federal Relations Director, participated in the panel Culturally Appropriate Strategies for Suicide Prevention, emphasizing the incorporation of cultural activities and policy changes to support traditional healing services. Vice Chairman Moose discussed the success of programs that incorporated cultural and traditional activities and why it is important to focus on protective factors as a means of prevention. Locklear highlighted NIHB’s work to advocate for Medicaid reimbursement of traditional healing services that Tribes want to use to address behavioral health needs.
For many decades, NIHB has been a strong partner with NCAI— serving as the Chair of the Health Subcommittee and Co-chair of the Human Resources Committee. As a member-based representative Congress, NCAI is governed by voting members who determine NCAI’s consensus positions expressed in resolutions, which are developed in committees and sub-committees and then voted on at national conventions. NIHB has the privilege to lead the Health and Human Resources Committee—providing guidance and technical assistance on key health issues during the resolution consideration process. The Human Resources Committee considered seven resolutions—three of which originated in the Health Subcommittee. These can be found on the NCAI website.
During the committee meetings, NIHB staff provided updates on key health issues, including the syphilis and maternal and child health crises in Indian Country, and highlighted the work of NIHB’s Government Relations and Public Health Policy and Programs departments.
During the General Assembly on Thursday, June 6, NIHB Vice Chairman Sam Moose provided an update on the work of NIHB to the National Congress of American Indian delegates. During his remarks, Vice Chairman Moose expressed the importance of having a Tribally led organization that is accountable to the Tribes, to advocate for the health priorities of Indian Country. Additionally, he highlighted NIHB’s work on advancing the Indigenous Determinants of Health internationally and other advocacy efforts such as supporting the reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians and making CSC and 105(l) leases mandatory. In a call to action, Vice Chairman Moose challenged all Tribal leaders in attendance to partner with NIHB to help address the syphilis and maternal and child health crises in Indian Country.
A continued, strong partnership between NIHB and NCAI is vital to the health of our people and remains a priority for both organizations. We are looking forward to continuing this work together!
National Indian Health Board