Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) webinars taking place during the week of Sept 13-17, 2021 regarding African Swine Fever hosted by APHIS.
African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week is to focus attention on the importance of preparedness and our ongoing, collaborative efforts to keep this disease out of the United States.
The attached flier includes the ASF Action Week webinar schedule and provides information on how to register.
To received daily updates during the Action Week including resources you can print, post and share and APHIS swine health program activities , please visit the flier to subscribe.
Please post and share this information.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to myself (goldlin.h.wall@usda.gov), Dr. Terry Clark (terry.w.clark@usda.gov) Director Office of National Tribal Liaison, and Hallie Zimmers (hallie.zimmers@usda.gov) Adviser for State and Stakeholder Relations for any additional information.
On October 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its decision to allocate an additional $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The new phase three general distribution is open to providers that have already received Provider Relief Fund payments. Additionally, providers that were previously ineligible, such as those who began practicing in 2020, are now invited to apply. The phase three distributions also expand the group of behavioral health providers that are eligible for relief payments. For more information, please click here. NCAI Contact: Nicholas Courtney, Policy Analyst, ncourtney@ncai.org
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dhhs-logo-1.jpg660660Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2020-11-06 19:31:322020-11-06 20:14:12U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding
On October 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing Operation Warp Speed approval of a one-week extension for tribal nations with healthcare facilities to determine their vaccine distribution preference. Tribal nations with healthcare facilities now have until November 6, 2020, to contact Indian Health Service (IHS) if they would like to be included in IHS’s distribution plan, or contact their State health authority if they wish to be included in the state’s vaccine distribution. Tribal nations are encouraged to reach out to their state health authority and their IHS Area Office COVID Vaccine Point of Contact to better understand the details of their COVID-19 plan in order to make this decision based on the most updated information available. Indian Health Service Area Vaccine Point of Contact
For general questions or concerns, contact the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Federal Entities Planning Team at eocevent474@cdc.gov.NCAI Contact: Nicholas Courtney, Policy Analyst, ncourtney@ncai.org
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dhhs-logo-1.jpg660660Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2020-11-06 19:13:102020-11-06 20:14:20HHS Extends Deadline for Tribal Nations to Choose COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
NAFOA, NCAI, and NIHB will convene a Tribal Leader Town Hall on the COVID-19 pandemic to engage on updates and policy implications. The town hall will be in a webinar format where we will discuss responses from the White House, public health agencies, and how our organizations are responding to the fight against COVID-19.
To learn more and stay updated, see the CDC’s website on COVID-19 response. We recommend following official sources for information.
For any other questions or concerns, please contact Lacina Onco, Policy Specialist, at 202-603-3943 or at lacina@nafoa.org.
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Support for Ending the HIV Epidemic in Indian Country
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2020 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #2020 – 10
“SUPPORT FOR ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN INDIAN COUNTRY”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest 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 rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, more than 700,000 lives, and at least 2,019 American Indian and Alaska Native lives, have been lost to HIV in the United States since 1981; and
WHEREAS, more than 1.1 million Americans, and at least 3,035 AI/AN people, are currently living with HIV; and
WHEREAS, from 2013 through 2017 rates of new diagnosis of HIV for AI/AN people increased to 7.8 per 100,000 – although rates of new HIV diagnosis decreased or stayed stable for all other racial and ethnic groups; and
WHEREAS, without intervention many more AI/AN people will be newly diagnosed over the next 10 years – despite the available tools to prevent infections; and
WHEREAS, the United States has trust and treaty obligations to provide healthcare to AI/AN people; and
WHEREAS, on February 5, 2019, President Donald J. Trump in his State of the Union announced his Administration’s goal to end the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years; and
WHEREAS, to achieve the goal and address the ongoing public health crisis of HIV, the proposed Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America will leverage the powerful data and tools now available to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 75 percent in five years and by 90 percent by 2030; and
WHEREAS, in order for tribes and AI/AN people to be included in the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America funding must be allocated to tribes and the Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban Indian Programs to develop infrastructure and systems to diagnose, treat, prevent and respond to the HIV Epidemic; and
WHEREAS, $25 million was proposed in the President’s Indian Health Service budget for FY 2020 for HIV and viral hepatitis C (HCV) as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America and final appropriations for the Indian Health Service for FY 2020 did not include HIV and HCV funding; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is deeply concerned that lack of funding for Ending the HIV Epidemic in Indian Country will likely lead to continued HIV and HCV health disparities and health outcomes for AI/AN people; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Human Services is subject to trust and treaty obligations and must ensure funding is available to tribes and the Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban Indian Programs; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI fully supports HIV and viral hepatitis C (HCV) funding as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America in Indian Country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI calls on the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Indian Health Service and its other agencies, for inclusion of tribes and the Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban Indian Programs in future budgets and national initiatives; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI calls upon Congress to fully fund tribes and the Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban Indian Programs to develop infrastructure and systems to diagnose, treat, prevent and respond to HIV and HCV as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2020 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 27-30, 2020, with a quorum present.
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Support for Quality Care and Improved Health Outcomes for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ People
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2020 Winter Convention
Portland, Oregon
RESOLUTION #2020 – 09
“SUPPORT FOR QUALITY CARE AND IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR TWO SPIRIT AND LGBTQ+ PEOPLE”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest 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 rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several 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:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of ATNI; and
WHEREAS, ATNI supports the health and wellbeing of all Native people, including those who are Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or another identity (LGBTQ+), and
WHEREAS, prior to contact with settlers, many tribal nations across the country and continent had long histories of respect and inclusion of those in their communities who might today identify as Two Spirit or LGBTQ+; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately experience refusal of care, discrimination, and insufficient provider knowledge in healthcare settings; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals who fear discrimination or harassment in healthcare settings are more likely to postpone necessary treatment and report lack of access to care; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately experience discrimination and harassment in many communities, including healthcare settings; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals are important members of their communities who desire to participate in community gatherings and ceremonies without fear of discrimination or harassment; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals experience health disparities including increased risk of anxiety, depression, HIV, exposure to violence, and suicidality; and
WHEREAS, access to gender-affirming healthcare is critical and lifesaving for transgender individuals; and
WHEREAS, healthcare settings are uniquely positioned to affirm Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ identities; and
WHEREAS, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ individuals thrive in settings which demonstrate respect and inclusion of their identities; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI supports initiatives that promote quality care and improved health outcomes for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people, including but not limited to:
• Creating gender-affirming clinical and community spaces,
• Working to destigmatize minority sexual orientations and gender identities,
• Ensuring healthcare providers and community members respect all individuals their identities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI supports advocacy for the continued dissemination and implementation of this work within the Northwest and throughout Indian Country to ensure that our healthcare facilities and communities affirm all sexual orientations and gender identities and adopt non-discrimination policies; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI calls on Congress and the Administration to fund initiatives that support and protect Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2020 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 27-30, 2020, with a quorum present.
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2020-02-02 00:48:392020-02-02 00:48:45Support for Quality Care and Improved Health Outcomes for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ People
“ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE”
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest 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 rights secured under Indian Treaties, Executive Orders, and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise to promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and
WHEREAS, ATNI is a regional organization comprised of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and tribes in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of the ATNI; and
WHEREAS, the United States has a unique and special relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) to provide health care as established through the U.S. Constitution, Treaties, U.S. Supreme Court decisions and federal legislation; and
WHEREAS, although the trust relationship requires the federal government to provide for the health and welfare of tribal nations, the Indian Health Service (IHS) remains chronically underfunded and AI/ANs suffer from among the lowest health status nationally; and
WHEREAS, IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, administers health care to 2.2 million AI/ANs residing in tribal communities in 35 states, directly, or through contracts or compacts with tribes and tribal organizations under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDEAA); and
WHEREAS, in recent years, federal appropriation bills have not been enacted in a timely manner, thus hampering tribal and IHS health care providers’ budgeting, recruitment, retention, provision of services, facility maintenance, and construction efforts; and
WHEREAS, since FY 1998, there has only been one year (FY2006) in which the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill has been enacted before the beginning of the new fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, ATNI believes that moving to the Advance Appropriations process protects tribes and tribal organizations and the IHS direct service units from cash flow problems that regularly occur at the start of the federal fiscal year due to delays in enactment of annual appropriations legislation; and
WHEREAS, Congress has recognized the difficulties inherent in the provision of direct health care that relies on the appropriations process and traditional funding cycle through enactment of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (PL 111-81), which authorized Advance Appropriations for Veterans Administration (VA) medical care programs; and
WHEREAS, IHS should be afforded the same budgetary certainty and protections extended to the VA which is also a federally-funded provider of direct health care; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize Advance Appropriations for IHS; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress include our recommendation for Advance Appropriations for IHS in the Budget Resolution; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI requests that Congress include in the enacted appropriations bill Advance Appropriations for IHS.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the Doubletree by Hilton – Portland Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present.
https://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.png00Tyrel Otthttps://atnitribes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ATNI-logo.pngTyrel Ott2019-01-26 21:42:002020-02-10 21:48:50Advance Appropriations for Indian Health Service
