National Indian Health Board Releases Online Training to Support Non-Native Entities to Respectfully Engage with Tribal Nations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: April Hale at ahale@nihb.org

National Indian Health Board Releases Online Training to Support Non-Native Entities to Respectfully Engage with Tribal Nations
WASHINGTON, DC—July 21, 2020— The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to release the Working with Tribal Nations Training , a  free, interactive e-course intended to build the capacity of state and federal government officials and other non-Native stakeholders to work collaboratively and effectively with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal systems. The training provides background on Indigenous people’s contact with Europeans, how the colonial experience has impacted the health and well-being of Tribal populations and best practices for successful engagement with Tribal governments. 
“The National Indian Health Board recognizes that not all federal and state agencies are familiar with Tribes, their governments or even their people, and as an organization that represents the health interests of all 574 federally-recognized Tribes, we felt it was our duty to help educate these essential stakeholders on who we are as sovereign nations,” said NIHB CEO Stacy Bohlen. “Our government-to-government relationships and working partnerships with non-Native counterparts are crucial in maintaining the health and well-being of our People. This training provides the basics to identify best practices for working with Tribes and we are encouraged that it will help educate others on how we can work together to improve Tribal health for all American Indians and Alaska Natives.”
Created by NIHB with funding and support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Working with Tribal Nations Training is part of NIHB’s aim to expand knowledge about Tribes across all levels of government; elevate the visibility of American Indian and Alaska Native healthcare and public health needs; and improve non-Native government employees’ familiarity and comfort with working alongside Tribes.
The training module was created using input from CDC officials, NIHB member organizations, American Indian and Alaska Native partners and other governmental and non-Native stakeholders. The training underwent two rounds of pilot testing and review prior its public release.
“While the training is intended for state and federal government officials, it is publicly available to all interested people at no cost,” added Bohlen. “It may also be useful for other professionals, such as those who are working with Tribal leaders or conducting consultation activities.”
Learn more about NIHB’s work at www.nihb.org .
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National Indian Health Board Mission Statement
Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, NIHB seeks to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for our People.