the.washington.reportan.nihb.publication

926 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 202-507-4070 202-507-4071 fax www.nihb.orgThe Red Feather of Hope and Healing

ISSUE 4-10February 18, 2010

Blizzards shut down WashingtonThe Federal government was closed much of last week as two winter storms covered the region in snow. The Congress and Federal offices closed on February 5th as the first storm began. Then on Wednesday a second storm hit, producing more snow and blizzard conditions.

The storm impacted several tribal meetings in Washington, including the cancellation of an IHS consultation meeting on Contract Health Services. IHS Director, Dr. Roubideaux, plans to reschedule the hear-ing date, though a specific date has not yet been decided.

Offices are now open after President’s Day- though much of the snow still remains.

Washington, DC experienced unprecedent snow fall

NIHB Executive Director Attends White House Meeting with First Lady Michelle ObamaFirst Lady Michelle Obama is leading an initiative to address childhood obesity, and the National Indian Health Board is participating in this effort. On February 09, 2010, Mrs. Obama held a meeting at the White House to kick off the “Let’s Move” program designed to tackle childhood obesity by encouraging exercise and healthy eating. Stacy Bohlen, Execu-tive Director for the National Indian Health Board, attended the meeting.

The National Indian Health Board has been working with members in Congress to develop legislation to address childhood obesity. A House Resolution has been introduced high-lighting this epidemic,citing that 39 percent of American Indian children (ages 2-5) are obese.

The National Indian Health Board is provid-ing suggestions for legislation that will ensure tribal communities can access the programs and reduce obesity in tribal communities.

First Lady introduces new nationwide campaign to combat childhood obesity (photo courtesy of the White House) Snowmageddon or Snowpocalypse??

DC received 54.9 inches of snow in beginning of 2010

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Tribal Leaders Gather for Budget Formulation MeetingWashington, DC - Members of the IHS Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup gathered last week to discuss and develop recommen-dations for the IHS Budget for Fiscal Year 2012. This Workgroup con-sists of representatives from each of the 12 IHS Areas.

The purpose of the meeting was to synthesize the priorities identi-fied by each IHS Area and develop cohesive Tribal funding priorities nationally. The outcome of this effort is a presentation of the na-tional Tribal priorities during the HHS Consultation, which is sched-uled to take place in Washington, DC in a few weeks. In addition, the Tribal priorities are the foundation and road map for the work that NIHB does on behalf of Tribes in the pursuit of increased and adequate funding for health care services and programs for AI/AN.

While some were prevented from attending due to cancelled flights because of the snow storms, many tribal leaders were able to at-tend, with seven of the 12 IHS service areas present at the meeting.

Rachel Joseph, Co-Chair of the IHS Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup

participated in the Meetings

visit http://www.nihb.org to download the Call for Proposal Packet or email: nihb2010@nihb.orgCALL FOR PROPOSALS DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2010 at 5:00 PM EST

Department of Health & Human Services has set the deadline tosubmit testimony to the Office of Intergovenmental Affairs for

Monday, February 22, 2010Testimony will be accepted after this date, but participants will need

to provide 200 copies at the meeting. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 19, 2010. For more information

visit http://www.nihb.org

NIHB to Host 2nd Annual Public Health SummitThe National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is holding its 2nd Annual Public Health Summit May 18 - 20, 2010 in Albuquer-que, NM. The theme is, 2010: A New Decade of Indigenous Public Health. The NIHB invites proposals addressing topics such as childhood obesity prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, behavioral health issues including suicide prevention and tra-ditional medicine practices, as well as H1N1, environmental health and Tribal-State relations. Proposals outside of these suggestions or cross-cutting topics are encouraged and will be considered.

2010: A New Decade of Indigenous Public HealthMay 18 - 20, 2010Albuquerque, New Mexico

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NIHB Board Members testify during the CDC Tribal Consultation

Tribal Consultation Advisory Committee to the Centers for Disease Control attend Tribal Consultation Meeting in Atlanta, GA

Cynthia Manuel, NIHB Secretary & Tucson Area Representative Buford Rolin, NIHB Vice Chairman & NashvilleRepresentative discusses State/Tribal Relations

Lester Secatero, NIHB Board Member &Albuquerque Area Representative Cathy Abramson, NIHB Board and Bemidji Area Representative testifies

For more information on this publication, or if you have any

questions please contact NIHB’s Legislative Director

Jennifer Cooper

jcooper@nihb.org

NIHB Board Meeting in Atlanta, GAThe National Indian Health Board met in Atlanta, GA. During the meetings elections for the board were held. Buford Rolin [Poarch Band of Creek Indians], Nashville Area Representative was unanimously re-elected as Vice Chairman of the NIHB Board. Cynthia Manuel [Tohono O’odham Nation], Tucson Area Representative was unanimously re-elected as the Secretary of the NIHB Board. Andrew Joseph, Jr. [Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation], Portland Area Representative was unanimously elected as the NIHB Member at Large. Each of these positions are two-year terms.

Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of the Indian Health Service delivered a presenta-tion to update the Board about the significant accomplishments that have been achieved in working together in consultation with Tribal leaders on Reforming Indian Health Service. Dr. Roubideaux encouraged tribal leaders to visit a new ad-dition to the IHS web site called the “IHS Director’s Corner” which provides direct information regarding items such as: Tribal Leader Letters, Reforms Initiative, Director’s Statements, and features a new Director’s Blog.

Andrew Joseph, Jr.- NIHB Member at Large, Buford Rolin - NIHB Vice Chairman, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux - Director of Indian Health Service, Reno Keoni Franklin - Chairman of NIHB Board, Cynthia Manuel - NIHB Secretary, Lester Secatero - NIHB Board Member

February 25, 2010

10 am White House Meeting with

Congressional Leaders on Health Care Reform

2:15 pm SenateCommittee on Indian

Affairs Hearing to Examine Tribal

Programs &Initiatives Proposed in the President’s FY 2011

Budget