Historically, Tribal communities ensured their health and well-being through deeply integrated systems that reflected their cultural, spiritual, and societal values. Prior to European contact, Native Americans developed complex traditions, cultural practices, social structures, economies, governments, education systems, and spiritual frameworks. These elements worked interdependently to sustain the health and survival of their people.
Today, Tribal public health systems have evolved under the weight of unique challenges, including colonialism, epidemics, restrictive government policies, and chronic underfunding. Unlike their state and local counterparts, these systems often follow distinct pathways shaped by Tribal sovereignty and cultural priorities, yet they remain underrepresented in the broader U.S. public health landscape. Tribal nations, as sovereign entities, have an inherent right to promote and protect the health and welfare of their citizens using approaches rooted in their own traditions and community needs. Recognizing this, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) supports Tribal nations in rebuilding and strengthening their public health systems.
Since 2008, NIHB has partnered with Tribal nations and national organizations to advance public health practice across Indian Country. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIHB has provided funding and technical assistance to Tribes, empowering them to pursue performance improvement, public health accreditation, and other critical initiatives that enhance the well-being of their communities.
Strong Systems, Stronger Communities (SSSC), (created in 2018), is a funding opportunity provided by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and supported by the CDC. This opportunity builds on a former project – NIHB’s Tribal Accreditation Support Initiative (ASI) and continues NIHB’s commitment to strengthening Tribal public health systems by offering support and technical assistance specifically to Tribes as they complete projects to improve their performance, meet national public health accreditation standards, and/or promote interconnection across the public health system to improve population health.
Join our mailing list to receive updates on current and upcoming funding opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Dean.
TALC is a free, monthly webinar series held on the third Monday of every month. It is designed for sharing and learning about public health performance improvement, system improvement, and accreditation in Tribal Communities.
A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is a critical element of a robust quality improvement infrastructure, aligned with the health department’s policies and strategic direction. It is shaped by the department’s mission and vision statements, strategic plan, and health improvement plan, ensuring a cohesive approach to improving public health outcomes.
Equally important, a Performance Management System (PMS) ensures the department consistently meets its goals in an effective and efficient manner. The PMS communicates across the department to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement, ultimately driving better organizational results and promoting continuous improvement.
Oneida Community Health Services Department Performance Management Plan
Tribal Health Department Strategic Plan
The Tribal agency strategic plan shapes and guides the activities of a tribal health department, sets forth the department’s vision, mission and guiding principles. Also, this document outlines the strategic priorities and describes the measurable and time-framed goals and objectives of the department.
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community DHHS Agency Strategic Plan
Cherokee Nation Tribal Public Health System Strategic Plan
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President Trump’s recent Executive Orders on federal funding could have serious implications for Tribal health. NIHB is actively advocating for Tribal Nations and providing key updates—click to learn more and access resources.
