Oglala Sioux Tribe Health & Human Services Committee to Host Hearings

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION - The Oglala Sioux Tribe Health & Human Services Committee in coordination with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Legislative Liaison and Oglala Sioux Tribe Legislative Resource Office will be conducting hearings on Indian Health Service/Health Care Services.

"If anyone has an outstanding bill, if you were ever denied contract health, or if you were ever rejected being referred out, please bring your documentation." Stated Garfield Steele, Oglala Sioux Tribe Legislative Liaison to President Yellow Bird/Steele. "If you have a complaint against Indian Health Service, please bring your written statement," Steele further stated.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe Health & Human Services Committee will be gathering all pertinent information from Tribal Members in order to prioritize and establish needs of our programs and Indian Health Service to ensure protection of funding and services to the Oglala Sioux Tribal members. Responsibilities and duties of the Oglala Sioux Tribe elected leaders are to provide consultation services to the pertinent federal agencies, to actively seek funding and enforce tribal codes and laws.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe elected leaders will ensure the development and amendment to pertinent codes by seeking input from its oversight programs, community members and other identified in order to insure accountability and effective communication. Above all, the Tribe's elected leaders will conduct itself according to tribal values and traditions. They will continuously uphold and require the United States Government to maintain their treaty obligations to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and its members.

It is the goal of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Health & Human Services Committee to improve communication between all local health providers and programs. Tribal Members are cordially invited to participate and provide input on the Indian Health Service budget and performance standards/measures, goals, priorities and services needed.

Hearing 1: October 18 - Porcupine Elderly Center, Porcupine, South Dakota

Hearing 2: October 19 - Medicine Root CAP Office, Kyle, South Dakota

Hearing 3: October 20 - Manderson CAP Office, Manderson, South Dakota

posted October 11, 2011 6:00 am edt