Title: Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs to Prioritize Disability Issues for American Indian/Alaska Natives

 

WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest and largest national organization established in 1944 and comprised of representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and,

WHEREAS, the Indian Health Services (IHS) maintains the trust responsibility for the health care of American Indian People; and,

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) maintains the trust responsibility for the welfare and education of American Indian People; and,

WHEREAS, Indian Health Services recipients receive one third the healthcare that Medicaid recipients receive; and

WHEREAS, due to the high rate of disability and lack of understanding of the rehabilitation needs of American Indian Elders and people with disabilities, IHS and BIA must address disability as a priority, both short term and long term issues; and,

NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NCAI, on behalf of American Indians with disabilities and Elders, asserts that IHS and BIA prioritize disability issues by attending and actively participating in discussions at all levels including interagency work groups addressing disability issues; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that by prioritizing disability issues for American Indian People with disabilities and Elders, IHS and BIA will also begin internally to develop policies and procedures that specifically address disability issues.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000 with a quorum present.

_____________________________

Susan Masten, President

Juana Majel, Recording Secretary

Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000.