Partnerships
Northeast Consortium for Native Americans
The purpose of the Northeast Consortium for Native Americans is the identification and coordination of all resources that could improve the health care and education of Native Americans living in New England. This partnership includes members of tribal, state and federal governments as well as the academic community. Despite the serious historic obstacles and attitudes that tend to prevent progress on a wide range of issues, we choose to focus on the positive energy and attributes that can unite us and achieve concrete, positive outcomes.
History
Our first meeting was called by Irvin Rich from Region One of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). We focused on health care delivery issues related to Native Americans in Northern New England. A comprehensive needs assessment of the health of the five Native American tribes living in Maine was presented by Paul Kuehnert, M.S., R.N. Director, Division of Disease Control of the Maine Bureau of Health. Representatives tribal members contributed information to assist participants in understanding the background and current issues. Representatives from the Wampanoag, Narragansett, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan and the North American Indian Center added their experiences, emphasizing the need for increased access to health care and the need for increased preparation of health professionals among the Native American communities. Day two of this meeting focused on the educational needs of Native American Youth.From this beginning a growing membership dedicated to improving health care access and education has developed.We have formed a consortium of invested parties to work towards addressing the identified needs of Native Americans in the northeast.
For more information contact: Irvin Rich, HCFA irich@hcfa.gov
Members
Tribes
Wampanoag, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy/Indian Townships, Passamaquoddy/Pleasant Point, Penobscot, MicMac, Narragansett, Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot
State Agencies
Connecticut Department of Social Services ; Maine Department of Human Services/ Bureau of Medical Services and Bureau of Health ; Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance ; Rhode Island Department of Human Services , Center for Children and Family Health
Community
Geiger-Gibson Community Dental Center; Center for Community Health, Education, Research and Service, North American Indian Center
Institutions of Higher Learning
University of Southern Maine, College of Nursing and Health Professions ; Boston University School of Public Health ; Tufts School of Dentistry ; Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine ; Harvard School of Dental Medicine ; Massachusetts College of Pharmacy ; Boston College, School of Nursing ; Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences ; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Native American Support Services; Harvard University Native American Program ; Yale University School of Nursing ; University of Rhode Island, Department of Nursing ; Dartmouth College Native American Program
Federal Agencies
Indian Health Services ; Health Resources and Services Administration ; Office for Civil Rights ; Health Care Financing Administration
Links
USET - United Southern and Eastern Tribes, INC
Maine Higher Education Tuition Waiver for Native Americans
Native American Studies Programs in US and Canada
Course Info Website for Communication Among Consortium Members
Links to news articles of interest:
Harvard awards American Indian tribes $80,000 for eight programs
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