We support Native nations and urban Indian health centers to progress toward their vision of a strong health system.
Native nations have built some of the best health systems in the country. However, many American Indian people still don’t have access to quality preventive, primary, and specialty health care. Challenges include lacking facilities and services, longstanding underfunding, shortages of trained health professionals, and complex state and federal regulations.
The principle of self-determination guides our work in this initiative. Native nations and urban Indians are best positioned to know their communities’ needs and build health systems to meet those needs. We work with Native American leadership, urban Indian health centers, and Native-led nonprofits to support their goals.
This initiative has active projects with all 12 tribes and five urban Indian health centers in Montana.
Visit our Grant Library to learn more about these projects.
SPOTLIGHT
The American Indian Health Leaders Group
Since 2016, we have organized and supported quarterly convenings of tribal health departments and urban Indian health center leaders at their request. These meetings allow health leaders to come together, learn from each other, and collaborate on shared priorities.
One of the early needs the group identified was for a residential substance use disorder treatment center that would allow tribal members to receive culturally relevant care closer to home. Over the past two years, the group’s consistent convening provided a structure for the group to develop this idea further and make progress on planning.
In 2023, the American Indian Health Leaders adopted articles of incorporation for the new center. Seven tribes have passed resolutions to create the center, supported by five urban Indian organizations.
There’s a huge unmet need for detox and residential treatment services in our communities. Tribes are sending members out of state, away from families and support systems to receive timely and culturally appropriate care. The center will provide vitally needed new resources to address one of the most pressing behavioral health needs for our members.
Joel Rosette, Rocky Boy Health Center CEO
Our Support
We provide grants and contracts for projects strengthening American Indian health services and support select organizations engaged in tribal health policy analysis.
All funding under this initiative is by invitation only and is intended for the organizations participating in the American Indian Health Leaders group and Native-led nonprofits at the request of and in partnership with American Indian Health Leaders group members.
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Contact
If you have a question about this initiative, please email our program team.