FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2019
Phoenix, AZ--Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) met for its annual meeting in Indian Country. STAC is an invaluable resource for both HHS and the Tribes, as the Committee works to ensure the Tribal voice is heard at all levels of HHS. The STAC routinely meets with agency officials from across the operational divisions of HHS to exchange views, share information, and provide advice and recommendations to HHS and its divisions. For the past three years, Chester Antone, Councilman from Tohono O'odham Nation, has served in the critical role of Chair of the STAC. Chairman Antone has used this role to fight tirelessly for Indian Country's health and for the federal government to uphold the trust responsibility.
Today, Councilman Antone announced that he was stepping off of Tribal Council and the STAC, and the Committee elected a new Chair, Victoria Kitcheyan, Chair of the National Indian Health Board and Councilwoman from Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. New Chairwoman Kitcheyan expressed gratitude and thanks to Chairman Antone's leadership on the STAC, "Thank you to Councilman Chester Antone for his wisdom and leadership to the Tohono O'odham Nation and the many Tribal technical advisory committees he served on, including the STAC. I am thankful for his service and look forward to continuing his legacy of Tribal advocacy."
The STAC continues its meeting with Department and agency leadership through tomorrow. The STAC will also meet with Deputy Secretary Hargan on May 9, 2019 to provide direct advice and recommendations to the senior leadership of HHS.
