WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, NIHB seeks to reinforce the sovereign rights of all federally recognized Tribal governments, to promote the highest levels of health for AI/AN people and to advise the Federal government in the development of responsible health care and public health policy; and

WHEREAS, federal trust and treaty obligations are the result of the millions of acres of land and extensive resources ceded to the United States—oftentimes by force— in exchange for which it is legally and morally obligated to provide benefits and services in perpetuity, as well as uphold Tribal sovereignty; and,

WHEREAS, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act authorizes Tribes and Tribal organizations to be funded by the Federal government to provide services that the Federal government would otherwise be obligated to provide due to the trust and treaty obligations of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Indian Health Service (IHS) withholds, or significantly limits, certain resources provided to Tribally operated 638 Health Programs; and

WHEREAS, these resources are retained for the use of IHS facilities but may also benefit Tribal communities in the Areas where they are provided; and,

WHEREAS, among the resources withheld from Tribal Health Programs is funding from the Facilities Support Account (FSA); and,

WHEREAS, according to the IHS Facilities Appropriation Information Report, FSA staff “responsibilities include facilities-related management activities, operation and maintenance of real property, clinical engineering & medical equipment technical support, and planning and construction management support for new and replacement health facilities projects”; and,