Chair’s Notes

Nickolaus D. Lewis Lummi Nation

This May and June were busy months, with important health policy meetings throughout the country!

First, I would like to highlight our trip to Iceland with Washington state officials to see the Icelandic Harm Reduction Model in person. At the National Indian Health Board Meeting in June, a motion passed for NIHB to lead a national effort to explore the Icelandic Model for Tribal Communities in the US. We are grateful that a delegation from Iceland is coming to the July QBM to talk with delegates in person. I encourage you to read one or both of the following links to learn more about the Icelandic Model before the QBM discussion. One is a peer reviewed journal article and the other a news article.

Next, on June 1, the IHS Director’s Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation met for an in-person meeting in Seattle, WA. The Workgroup made significant progress updating the IHS Tribal Consultation policy in 2023, and during the June meeting, federal and tribal workgroup members finished editing an updated draft of the IHS Tribal Consultation policy in 202, and during the June meeting, federal and tribal workgroup members finished editing an updated draft policy that aligned with E.xecutive Order 13175, “Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nationto-Nation Relationships”, the updated draft HHS Tribal Consultation Policy, and the requirements outlined in the Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation. IHS will initiate Tribal Consultation on the updated draft Tribal Consultation Policy this month with a 45-day open comment period and will host one virtual Tribal Consultation session.

NW Tribal Iceland Delegation: Aren Sparck - Office of Tribal Affairs Administrator Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), Loni Greninger - Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe ViceChair, Jarred-Michael Erickson - Colville Chairman Nespelem District Representative, Dr. Danica Brown - NPAIHB

Behavioral Health Director, Nickolas D. Lewis - NPAIHB Chairman

All details, including key dates, will be included in a forthcoming Dear Tribal Leader Letter. After the comment period closes, the IHS will reconvene the Workgroup to review the comments. The plan is to have the updated Tribal Consultation Policy signed this autumn.

The National Congress of American Indians 2023 Mid-Year Convention and Marketplace was held June 5-8, 2023 in Mystic Lake, Minnesota, hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

Three health resolutions brought forward by our area were adopted:

• MN-23-018, Calling on Indian Health Service to Modernize Its Scholarship Profession Needs and Loan Repayment Surveys

• MN-23-019, Supporting the Need to Address the Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Shortage

• MN-23-031, Supporting Federal Legislation that Would Require Credit Reporting Agencies to Remove Information on Indian Health Service (IHS) Beneficiaries’ Credit Reports that Relates to Debts or Collection Activity for Bills that Should Have Been Paid by the IHS

The Tribal Self-Governance Conference was held in Tulsa, June 26-29, 2023. We had a listening session with IHS and VA officials to discuss the VANative Reimbursement Agreement Program. Another important issue for Pacific Northwest Tribes was discussed during a Breakout session focused on Health IT Modernization with the IHS Chief Information Officer and Director for the Office of Information Technology, Mitchell Thornbrugh (Muscogee Creek). The IHS is reviewing the proposals to replace RPMS and intends to announce the successful proposal later this year.

Also at the Tribal Self-Governance Conference, IHS Director Roselyn Tso (Navajo Nation) provided updates on staffing for the Indian Health Service, the IHS workplan, and progress on the recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the White House. She shared that working with the Veterans’ Administration (VA) continues to be a priority for IHS, they have launched a new VA/IHS map to help veterans gain better access to care. Director Tso is scheduled to attend the Region X Tribal Consultation in Anchorage in August 9-10, 2023, and is also scheduled to attend the National Tribal Opioid Summit that will be held at Tulalip, August 22-24, 2023. We look forward to continuing to connect with her and advocating for our priorities.

As we further navigate the summer season, I look forward to advocating for our priorities along with all of our Tribal leaders for the Northwest with HHS, the Administration and with Congress.

Hy’shq, Nickolaus D. Lewis | Lummi Nation Chair, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board Councilman, Lummi Indian Business Council