Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska
Native (AI/AN) Tribes, the National Indian Health 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. To advance the organization’s mission, the NIHB Board of Directors sets forth
the following priorities that the NIHB will pursue through its legislative and policy work during 2020.

Introduction:

There exists a special and political relationship between the United States and Tribal Nations. That relationship is predicated on the inherent sovereignty of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments and enshrined in the over 300 Treaties signed between Tribal Nations and the United States. These Treaties established certain federal obligations and the provision of certain services to AI/AN Tribes and peoples in perpetuity. These federal obligations are reaffirmed by the United States Constitution, judicial case law, federal laws, federal regulations, and presidential executive orders, and collectively form the foundation for the federal trust responsibility. The federal trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribes and peoples include provisions of quality and comprehensive health care resources and services, among other responsibilities such as housing, education, land management, and public safety, among others.