Author: Kathleen Rose

Tribal Diagnostics is a Native-owned medical diagnostics laboratory in Oklahoma, serving medical providers in and around Indian Country. With a new $3.2 million investment, Tribal Diagnostics will be able to fund growth new markets, lab service innovations, and increased hiring. Tribal Diagnostics Provides Affordable Lab Tests Tribal Diagnostics is a Native American-owned diagnostics laboratory. Specifically, the company offers hundreds of laboratory tests related to diabetes, heart disease, substance abuse, and infectious diseases. Additionally, the company focuses on improving health outcomes across the nation by providing affordable access to laboratory tests. In essence, Tribal Diagnostics provides laboratory tests needed to make knowledgeable…

Washington State University in Spokane has introduced an Indigenous Healing Perspectives Certificate to educate health care providers and others on how to better serve Indigenous communities. Naomi Bender, Director of Native American Health Sciences at WSU, started the Certificate Program. She said retaining healthcare providers has been an issue in tribal communities. “That told me we need to better educate and inform healthcare workers about working with tribal communities, so this certificate became a priority,” she said. But the certificate offers more than just healthcare perspectives. It is also suitable for anyone who works in or supports tribal communities, she added. …

A massive Medicaid scam has caused a humanitarian crisis in Arizona, impacting thousands of Native Americans from multiple tribes and states. They were lured to sober living homes by people pretending to be legitimate behavioral health providers. The fake providers then billed Arizona’s Medicaid Agency for services that were never provided. Thousands Impacted by “Biggest Scandal” in Arizona History At a press conference, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs explained that Arizona is assessing the number of people affected. However, she admitted “it may be in the thousands.” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined the Governor at the press conference. The Director of…

The Chickasaw Nation announced that its anchor investment in a newly formed private investment firm, Good Springs Capital. This initial investment in the new firm represents the Chickasaw Nation’s next step in its investment strategy, which has already achieved successful gaming, hospitality, and healthcare enterprises over the past decades. Chickasaw Nation’s Investment Strategy Good Springs Capital is led by Managing Partners David Van Geyzel and Udi Toledano. They previously ran Alleghany Capital before Berkshire Hathaway acquired that company in October 2022. “Our historical success in developing industry-leading enterprises has led to the partnership with the accomplished team from Good Springs Capital, led…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it will award $20 million to help improve public transportation options in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. Public Transit Projects Benefiting Tribal Communities Among the grants going to 47 communities, four tribes and organizations serving Native Americans will receive funding. About the Program Supporting the Projects These awards are being made under FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) program. Generally, the AoPP program supports state and local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations. More specifically, this program seeks to create better transit for residents with limited or no transportation options. “Across the…

U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, and Martin Heinrich, alongside U.S. Representative Joe Neguse reintroduced legislation to dramatically expand tribal access to clean water by investing in water infrastructure. This bill would increase funding through the Indian Health Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Reclamation. It would support water infrastructure projects and help provide clean water to Native American households who currently lack access. Many Native American Households Lack Indoor Plumbing “Too many Tribal families still don’t have access to clean water and reliable wastewater infrastructure. Our bill builds on clean water investments we secured for…

The Department of the Interior announced the availability of $120 million in funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help tribal communities plan for the most severe climate-related environmental threats to their homelands. Record Investments in Tribal Communities Tribal communities can use this funding to proactively plan to adapt to these threats and safely relocate critical community infrastructure. This is one of the largest amounts of tribal funding in the history of the Tribal Climate Annual Awards Program. These record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges. The funding also supports modern wastewater and sanitations systems, clean drinking water,…

Visit California has launched a dynamic new content experience to showcase the state’s Native American communities and culture. The new website, Visit Native California, was first announced at the site of the future Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in Palm Springs. “Visit California is honored to create a platform that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Native Americans who have called this place home for thousands of years,” Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta said. “We’re committed to partnering with California’s tribes and creating spaces to uplift and honor their voices, communities, and cultures.” Tribal Culture and Communities the Focus of New Website…

Tule River Economic Development Corporation with support from the California Department of Conservation will partner with Kore Infrastructure to develop a biofuels facility in Porterville, California. The facility will convert forest biomass into to carbon-negative energy. Reducing Wildfire Risk The biofuels facility will help solve a major challenge in California: reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Wildfires have become all too common in California, caused by a changing climate and deficient forest management practices. As a result, forest biomass consisting of dead and dying plant matter or tree material can accumulate on forest floors. Forest biomass can increase risk for forest fires.…

The Department of the Interior announced a new partnership with the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. The partnership is expected to increase STEM job opportunities for Alaska Native youth in offices and bureaus of the Department. Agreement Allows Direct Hiring The new agreement will allow the Interior Department to exercise direct hire authority — authorized by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act — for ANSEP students and recent STEM graduates. Direct hiring authority means a federal agency can streamline hiring when there is a crucial hiring need or severe…