To recognize the great lakes area health board as a member organization of The National Indian Health Board

WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the Federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board recognizes an Area Health Board from each Indian Health Service (IHS) Area as a Member Organization; and

WHEREAS, the Area Health Boards serve as Member Organizations of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the communication link between the NIHB and the Tribes; and

WHEREAS, Member Organizations advise in the development of positions on health policy, planning, and program design as well as gather information and review public opinion and proposals; and

WHEREAS, in areas without an Area Health Board, Tribes select an NIHB representative to communicate the Tribal perspective to the NIHB and to share policy information and concerns back from the NIHB to Area Tribes; and

WHEREAS, the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST), a member organization of NIHB, has submitted a request to change the organization representing the Bemidji Area; and

WHEREAS, the resolution requests the NIHB to recognize the Great Lakes Area Health Board as a Member Organization;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIHB will recognize and take all necessary steps to engage the Great Lakes Area Health Board as the Member Organization for the Bemidji Area.

Certification

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the Board, with quorum present, on the 13th day of August 2018.