The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is committed to advocating on behalf of all Tribal Governments and American Indian/Alaska Natives while: promoting healthy practices; preventing diseases and injuries; providing basic resources and infrastructure to Tribes; and researching and developing tribal, local, state, and national health policy. To view all our public health resources, please visit www.nihb.org/public_health/public_health.php
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FDA Expands Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose to Children 5 through 11 Years
On May 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Children aged 5-11 can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., encourages parents to have their children get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine if they are eligible and have not yet received their primary series. Vaccination helps protect children from adverse outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) also emphasized that since October 2021 (when children aged five were authorized to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine), data showed that the vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 decreased after the second dose of the vaccine in all authorized populations. Therefore, the COVID-19 booster will provide continued protection against COVID-19 for youth and older age groups. Read more.
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DOI Releases Boarding School Report and House Natural Resources Holds Hearing on Boarding School Bill Within Days of Each Other
Under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, the report for the first time acknowledged the federal government's direct involvement of cultural assimilation policies in Indian boarding schools. The report found the federal government, between 1819 and 1969, operated or support 408 boarding schools across 37 states, including 21 in Alaska and 7 in Hawai’i.
Due to limitations resulting from COVID-19 restrictions, closing of research facilities, and operating under continuing resolution and limited appropriations, the Assistant Secretary recommends additional research and a second volume of the report to further identify names and Tribal affiliations of children, number of federal dollars spent supporting the boarding schools, and identify schools that were operated on land-in-trust.
On May 12, 2022, the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States held a hearing on H.R 5444 where boarding school survivors and Tribal organizational leaders testified in support of H.R 5444 and shared their personal experiences during forced attendance of boarding schools. Witnesses include James LaBelle of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, Matthew War Bonnet, Boarding School Survivor of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Dr. Ramona Charette Klein, Boarding School Survivor of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Ben Barnes, Chief of the Shawnee Tribe, Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and Dr. Janine Pease, Founding President of the Little Big Horn College.
The Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States is accepting electronic statements for consideration of H.R.5444 until May 26. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition encourages survivors to submit their stories to the House Committee on Natural Resources by email to [email protected].
NIHB has led efforts in Congress and the Administration to secure more behavioral health care services as well as in-patient behavioral health treatment facilities, particularly through the Budget Reconciliation measure pending before Congress and in other legislation and administrative means. To further honor and remember these Native children, NIHB hosted the National Tribal Health Conference October last year titled “Our Trauma: A Discussion to Address the Legacy of Federal Indian Boarding Schools and Looking to the Future."
Read NIHB Resolution no. 22-01 Boarding School Healing Resolution that was adopted at the First Quarter and Annual Board Meeting on February 23 and 24, 2022.
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National Tribal Public Health Summit 2022 Overview
Last week over 800 Tribal leaders, practitioners, researchers, policy experts, and advocates virtually attended the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) annual National Tribal Public Health Summit (TPHS) 2022. The two free pre-summit days included the Indian Health Service (IHS) Listening Session, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Listening Session, and the National Tribal Behavioral Health Listening Session: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and IHS Division of Behavioral Health and a number of institutes.
Summit attendees were welcomed by Chief William Smith, Valdez Native Tribe, NIHB Chairman and Alaska Area Representative and heard opening remarks from Stacy A. Bohlen, Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa, NIHB Chief Executive Officer who thanked Indian Country for their support and resiliency during NIHB’s fifty years throughout the decades of advocacy.
Most recently American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) maternal mortality has been at the forefront of NIHB’s efforts with last year’s Maternal CARE Act and the Call to Action to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Vice President Harris released. The Vice President provided a video message for summit attendees addressing the ongoing desperate outcomes of Native women and their maternal health journey. She also touched on what the Administration is doing to address it stating, “Native maternal health must be elevated as a national priority.”.
Abby Roque, Wahnapitae First Nation, Olympic Silver Medalist, USA Olympic Womens Hockey Team told her story of resiliency growing up as a female indigenous hockey player in rural Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and the significance health played in her journey. “The work that the NIHB does year-round to ensure that Tribes are treated as the sovereignty that they are is important,” said Roque.
Tribal Health IS Public Health is a call to action for Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to, “Foster relationships with others in health care. So much sharing and networking is happening and that’s why today and NIHB is so important,” said Chief Warner. That sentiment was shared from Representative Markwayne Mullin (R - Oklahoma) and Congressman Tom Cole whose video messages also acknowledged IHS has been consistently underfunded but Tribes have remained resilient.
Resiliency reigned as attendees observed heard from Dr. Anthony Fauci who talked about what is on the horizon stating, “Each variant seems slightly more transmissible than the one previous but not at a greater severity.” Long term COVID is a serious problem plaguing up to 30 percent of suffers. Achieving heard immunity is unlikely according to Dr. Fauci and we may see standardized COVID vaccinations moving forward.
After another day of workshops and roundtables, the summit’s closing plenary session was led by inspiring words from many. With the summit originally slated to be held in person in Alaska, it was more than relevant to have the Health Impacts of Climate Change presentation. The Youth Engagement in Tribal Public Health panel discussion followed where summit attendees were impressed with the sentiment of the youth, “Until we do it ourselves these institutions will never do it for us,” Tamee Livermont, MPH, Center for American Indian and Minority Health Representative.
A Congressional Update from U.S. Representative Sharice Davids reminded all, “Each and every member of Congress has a trust responsibility to Tribes.” Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - AK) raised concern about the disparities in Native health and Tribal infrastructure and. also spoke about May 5, 2022, MMIP Day Recognition.
Deb Parker, Tulalip/Yaqui, Chief Executive Officer, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition express, "I feel heartbroken for the atrocities of the past but I also have this sense of pride and this sense of excitement for our future." You can support the Healing the Trauma of Federal Indian Boarding Schools initiate.
Sam Moose, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, NIHB Treasurer and Bemidji Area Representative provided closing remarks and invited all to the National Tribal Health Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration, September 25-29, 2022, in Washington, DC.
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Funding and Opportunities |
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NCHS Data Detectives Camp Now Accepting Applications!
The NCHS Data Detectives Camp is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) summer camp that focuses on teaching statistics to rising sixth and seventh grade students. Camp activities cover statistical concepts to help teach kids to think like a data detective by asking the right questions, collecting needed information, analyzing the data, and determining the answers.
The camp will have two sessions to accommodate campers from different time zones. The camp will take place online through Zoom video conferencing on August 8 – 12, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET (first session) and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET (second session). There is no fee for registering or attending the camp.
Application Deadline: May 30, 2022
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Suicide Prevention Funding Opportunity from CDC Injury Center
The CDC’s Injury Center intends to commit approximately $5.4 million per year for five years to support up to six cooperative agreement recipients. Federally recognized Tribal governments and Tribal organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: June 6, 2022, 11:59 PM ET
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IHS Funding Opportunity to Address Alzheimer’s Disease in Tribal Communities
On May 9, 2022, the Indian Health Service (IHS) announced the availability of $5 million to target resources directly to Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and IHS direct service facilities to address Alzheimer’s disease within tribal communities.
IHS will host a webinar on Tuesday, May 17 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET, to learn more about the components and requirements for completing a successful Alzheimer’s grant application.
Application Deadline: July 18, 2022
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Review the updated CDC resources below for more information!
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COVID-19 Data Tracker. Find maps and charts tracking cases, deaths, and trends of COVID-19 in the U.S., updated daily by 8:00 PM ET
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Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines. Read more.
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How CDC Determines the Level for COVID-19 Travel Health Notices. Read more.
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Global COVID-19. Read more.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters. Read more.
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Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) Calculator FAQ. Read more.
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CDC Strategy for Global Response to COVID-19 (2020-2023). Read more.
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What You Need to Know About Variants. Read more.
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Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. Read more.
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COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised People. Read more.
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SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions. Read more.
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Wearing Masks in Travel and Public Transportation Settings. Read more.
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Applications open for the Tribal Climate and Health Adaptation Summit
The Pala Environmental Department is hosting a two-day, in-person training at the Pala Casino Spa and Resort for up to 50 Tribal-serving professionals with the purpose of developing knowledge and skills needed to get to the heart of the unique climate and health vulnerabilities of the Tribes they serve, while also offering space for participants to attend to their own hearts through personal reflection and peer connection.
The interactive training format will feature expert speakers, facilitated discussions, and hands-on learning activities to help deepen understanding of the effects of climate change on Tribal health and wellbeing. The summit will help practitioners ready their hearts and minds to develop well-informed vulnerability assessments that best reflect their community’s concerns, culture, and aspirations and lead to the most meaningful adaptation decisions. Space is available for up to 50 Tribal-serving professionals from across the U.S. at no cost. For more information, click here.
July 13-14, 2022
Application Deadline: June 30, 2022
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Save the Date! Second National Conference on AI/AN Injury and Violence Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) are hosting the Second National Conference on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Injury and Violence Prevention. The virtual conference will highlight sessions on important topics for Tribal injury and violence prevention, including but not limited to suicide prevention, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), Indigenous evaluation methods, and health equity. Registration is free and open to the public.
July 26-28, 2022
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