From the desk of Assistant Chief Larry Harrison

Greetings to all tribal members. Hope you’re enjoying the springtime weather.

April 10-11, I attended the United States Department of Health and Human Services Region VI 2008 Tribal Consultation Session in Dallas, Texas. The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is one of sixty-five tribes in Region VI.

Portions of the consultation session dealt with follow-up issues discussed at the National HHS meeting held in Washington, D.C. in March. According to the health agencies, those meetings have brought continued progress.

Several tribal leaders from the region were on hand to ask questions and express their individual concerns. For the Seminole Nation, we want both delivery of service and quality of service for our tribal members.

Two weeks ago, tribal leaders received a letter from Senator Byron Dorgan, who serves as chairman for the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. In his letter, Senator Dorgan requested input from tribal leaders on how and what we can do to improve the current healthcare system.

Also, Senator Dorgan will soon be holding hearings on the Contract Health Services Program. This program was created to allow hospitals and clinics to receive help from outside contractors when they are unable to provide certain services. We as tribal leaders know all too well that there have not been enough contract dollars to take care of our people. That’s why we will continue to voice our concern strongly when it comes to healthcare for our people.

Lastly, I have been working diligently with the Cemetery Committee on the establishment of the “Seminole Nation National Cemetery.” The proposed site is the southeast corner of the Mekusukey Mission ground. The site has been flagged, and the committee is following up on the environmental study there to see if it is suitable for this undertaking.

Mvto,
Assistant Chief
Larry Harrison