National Indian Health Board

Last week, #NIHB CEO AC Locklear joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care in Washington to speak on the disproportionate burden of cancer in Tribal communities. Throughout the conversation, he emphasized the importance of protecting Tribal sovereignty, securing full mandatory funding for the Indian Health Service, stronger reimbursement structures for Tribally operated oncology care, and meaningful Tribal consultation at the earliest stages of federal health initiatives. He also highlighted how data misclassification continues to undercount American Indian and Alaska Native patients, masking disparities and limiting access to critical prevention resources. While these challenges remain significant, he reaffirmed that progress is possible through sustained investment, accurate data, and strong partnerships with Tribal communities to strengthen cancer prevention efforts and improve health outcomes for future generations. #NIHBinAction #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 We’ve extended the application deadline by one week. There’s still time to apply for the National Tribal Health Leadership Institute — an 8-week program advancing leadership in tribal health governance, policy, and systems change. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Link to apply --> 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗯𝗶𝘁.𝗹𝘆/𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗜_𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Join a national cohort of professionals working across tribal health systems to build skills, expand networks, and take action on the most pressing health priorities facing Tribal Nations. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: ✅ 8-week hybrid, cohort-based experience ✅ Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and applied learning ✅ Community-centered project development ✅ In-person convening at the National Indian Health Board Conference (Monday, August 17–20, Phoenix, AZ) ✅ Cross-sector network of tribal health leaders If you’ve been considering applying, now is the time. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴 📩 Questions? Contact Dr. Angela Gonzales at angela.a.gonzales@asu.edu @nihb1 Thank you, Darby Galligher, MPH, for sharing this update with the network.

After wrapping up our Strategic Plan Listening Tour last month, we’re reflecting on the conversations, connections, and shared vision that made each stop so meaningful. From Alaska to Connecticut, thank you to everyone who joined us, shared your perspectives, and helped shape the future of our work in Tribal health! We’re grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn, and move forward together. While this chapter of listening is wrapping up, the work continues – and we look forward to sharing more as we begin turning these conversations into action! #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth

ICYMI! #NIHB CEO, A.C. Locklear, was a panelist at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. He sat alongside other national leaders on health and Health Equity to discuss the impact of health on economic growth and social stability in Tribal communities: “We’ve seen over the last 50 years in self-governance, that when Tribal nations are empowered and given the ability to do things, build economic development, run their own health systems... they create immaculate and amazing health systems that rival pretty much any in the country”, said Locklear. Watch the panel at https://bit.ly/4tVR1S5, or head to the Milken Institute's website for more information on the rest of the conference! #NIHBinAction #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth

Registration is officially open for the #NTHC2026 Exhibit Hall, and if you’re planning to be there, don’t wait. Space will go fast! The 2026 Exhibit Hall will feature 100+ exhibitors and introduce a new Live Demo Stage, giving exhibitors a dedicated space with full A/V to showcase products, host demonstrations, and connect with attendees in real time. Spots are limited, register now at https://cvent.me/AVQkQR. For more information about NTHC, visit nihb.org. #CultureIsMedicine #CommunityIsHealing #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth

On May 5, we honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons and stand with the families and communities who carry this grief every day. This crisis is not new - Indigenous people face disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance, and murder, with far too many cases going unsolved or unaddressed. Behind every case is a loved one - a relative, a friend, a community member - whose absence is deeply felt. Today, we honor those who are missing, remember those whose lives were taken, and stand with their families in the fight for justice, healing, and accountability. Want to learn more about the MMIWR Crisis or National Week of Action? Check out the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center for more information, stories, and calls to action. #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth #NoMoreStolenSisters #NoMoreStolenRelatives #MMIWRActionNow

Join us later this month for our in-person Navajo Area CMS ITU Training from May 13-14. It will be held in Flagstaff, AZ, at the Twin Arrows Casino Hotel. These ITU Trainings are designed to help IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian programs boost access to Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace, and Social Security resources and allow program staff to engage directly with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Visit nihb.org/events to learn more, register, and to see other CMS ITU Trainings. #NIHBinAction #HealthyNativeCommunities #NativesLeadPublicHealth

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 — an 8-week program advancing leadership in tribal health governance, federal policy, and systems change. Developed in partnership with the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and supported by Genentech (a member of the Roche Group), this Institute convenes a national cohort of professionals working across tribal health systems and policy spaces. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: 🔹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘁𝘆 Engage with federal trust responsibility, consultation processes, and tribal–federal relationships 🔹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 & 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 Build skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and navigating federal funding and appropriations 🔹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Design and implement a community-centered project aligned with your work 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: ✅ 8-week hybrid, cohort-based experience ✅ Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and applied learning ✅ Direct engagement with national tribal health policy spaces ✅ In-person convening at the NIHB National Tribal Health Conference (August 17–20, Phoenix, AZ) ✅ Cross-sector network of tribal health leaders and professionals This is more than a leadership program — it’s a platform to strengthen systems, inform policy, and advance the health and well-being of Tribal Nations. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 ℹ️More Information --> https://lnkd.in/ekxz_HCj Link to apply --> 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗯𝗶𝘁.𝗹𝘆/𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗜_𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 📩 Questions? Contact Dr. Jessica Solyom at jsolyom@asu.edu @nihb1