Niobrara, Nebraska
The leadership of the Great Plains Tribal Leader's Health Board (GPTLHB) has joined Dakotans for Health and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association (GPTCA) effort to expand Medicaid. The board includes sixteen tribal chairmen from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
GPTLHB Chairman Roger Trudell issued the following endorsement and statement of support of the grassroots group Dakotans for Health’s campaign to expand Medicaid.
“The work of expanding Medicaid is important to the future success of Indian Country and I would like to thank Dakotans for Health and our tribal chairmen for what they are doing to make it a reality. People’s lives depend on it and we will do whatever we can to ensure their success."
Roger Trudell is the longtime Chairman of the Santee Sioux Nation, located in Niobrara, Nebraska. He serves as the Chairmen of the Great Plains Tribal Leader's Health Board. Trudell also serves concurrently on the board of its' sister organization, the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association.
Great Plains Tribal Leader's Health Board Vice-Chairman Larry Wright Jr. also issued a statement:
“Medicaid expansion represents one of the most significant opportunities to improve the quality and availability of healthcare in Indian Country. The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska fully supports the important working being done by Dakotans for Health and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen to bring about this important change. There are lives at stake."
Larry Wright Jr. is the longtime Chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, located in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also serves on the National Indian Health Board and holds positions with Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association.
Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association (GPTCA) Chairman Harold Frazier, who is also on the board of the Great Plains Tribal Leader's Health Board, issued a statement thanking Wright and Trudell for their leadership:
Chairman Trudell and Chairman Wright know how important Medicaid expansion is to our people. We appreciate their enthusiasm and the support of all of our brothers and sisters of the Great Plains.
GPTCA Vice-Chairman Robert Flying Hawk, who is also the Secretary of the Great Plains Tribal Leader's Health Board, issued a statement as well:
The work of expanding Medicaid is critical to the longterm success of Indian Country and I would like to thank Dakotans for Health and my fellow chairmen for taking for taking it on.
Dakotans for Health is honored to have the support of our Native Nations including the following chairpersons and tribal governments of the Great Plains:
Chairman Harold Frazier - Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Chairman, GPTCA
Chairman Peter Lengkeek - Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Chairman Clyde Estes - Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
President Kevin Killer - Oglala Sioux Tribe
Chairman Rodney Bordeaux - Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Chairman Bob Flying Hawk - Yankton Sioux Tribe, Vice-Chairman, GPTCA, Treasurer GPTLHB
Chairman Delbert Hopkins Jr. - Sisseton Wahpeton Tribe
President Tony Reider - Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Secretary
Chairman Everett Baxter Jr. - Omaha Tribe
Chairman Roger Trudell - Santee Sioux Nation, Chairman, GPTLHB
Chairman Larry Wright - Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Vice-Chairman, GPTLHB
Chairwoman: Victoria Kitcheyan - Winnebago Tribe
Chairman Mark Fox - Three Affiliated Tribes
Douglas Yankton, Sr - Spirit Lake Tribe
Chairman Mike Faith - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Chairman Jamie Azure - Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
Dakotans for Health has until November 2nd of 2021 to collect and submit approximately 36,000 valid signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State to qualify their Medicaid expansion amendment to the 2022 ballot.
About Dakotans for Health
Dakotans for Health, an emerging group of public officials, caregivers, health care advocates, and concerned citizens to improve healthcare in the Dakotas including sponsoring the expansion of Medicaid and defending South Dakota's century old tradition of the initiated measure. We are honored to be joined by Organized Labor, all nine of South Dakota's Native Nations, and AFSCME Council 65 in this worthy endeavor.
Questions? Contact Pam Cole [pam.cole@dakotans4health.com] she is our Grassroots Organizing Director and will take good care of you!
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