The Urban Indian Health Programs are one of the only places for Urban Indian communities to gather, this creates a critical role for UIHPs leaders in the fostering and promoting of the Urban Indian identity; as well as in the preserving of traditional practices into everyday treatments. The respect for the distinct cultural needs of AI/AN patients is what sets the Urban Indian Health Programs medical services apart from general Community Health Clinics; and what keeps our programs at the cultural center of our Urban Indian communities.
Urban-Tribal Dialogue
Building a Tribal-Urban ongoing dialogue.
Urban Indian communities are formed with individuals from practically all US Native American tribes. These populations are formed by individuals that either descend from the relocated population or migrated to the cities. Although relocation programs were successful in extracting Indian individuals from their ancestral homeland and core societal system, they failed enormously at convincing Indian people to assimilate into mainstream America. Indian pride and identity survived, but the environment to reinforce and support such values was no longer present. Identity strengthening is the key to a vigorously proud community, hence the importance of having our Urban Indian Leaders connect with respective Tribes creating dialogues and cultivating stronger relations. This initiative intends to enhance Urban -Tribal dialogue in all possible ways, as well as incorporating Tribal leader's wisdom in our programs. NCUIH would like to collaborate with as many tribal leaders as possible so that we can share culture and lessons learned.
Mr. Ben Shelley, Navajo Nation President, and Dr. Patrick Rock,
NCUIH BoD President at our 2011 Annual Conference
Eighty one percent (81%) of UIHPs reported relations with tribes and partner in a number of ways:
- 63.2% of these UIHPs partner with Tribe(s) on Medical Services
- 57.9% partner on Fundraising Activities
- 57.9% partner on Cultural Activities
- 57.9% partner on Advocacy efforts
- 15.8% partner on Awareness Activities
- 15.8% collaborate on programs or service access (i.e., referrals)
- 5.3% partner on Training
NCUIH BoD President elect, Moke Eaglefeathers dialogues
with Tribal Leaders on a regular basis
- Partnerships with other Native Organizations
Every single UIHP surveyed (100%) had multiple Native organization partnerships, which further shows the collaboration between the UIHP and the surrounding community. These partnerships with non-Indian organizations include a number of activities:
- 95.2% have joint efforts with other Indian organizations
- 81% have information exchange
- 33.3% have sub-contracts
- 14.3% have pro-bono activities
- 28.6% have sub-grants
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