Authors: National Council of Urban Indian Health

Publication Year: 2008

Last Updated: 2016-04-21

Journal: NCUIH

Keywords: Research Proposal, Urban Indian History, UIHP, Urban Indian Health Programs, Recognition, common definition, American Indian and Alaskan Native, AI/AN

Abstract:

Recent collaboration has opened doors for leaders in both communities to initiate a dialogue and discuss the extent to which Indian Country has grown and how that is, who should be counted as one of us and who shouldn't? Who would be counted as an official citizen of Indian Country? For years this question remained untouched, latent--- left alone--- given the multifaceted and sensitive aspects it entails: sovereignty, identity, culture, education, healthcare, government funds, etc. However, current legislative events, the congressional support of Urban Indian and Tribal communities as well as the increasing population, made it clear that a discussion on this topic is not only compelling but also urgent to keep advancing together, as the one Indian Country that we are. Henceforth, in a spirit of brotherhood the National Council of Urban Indian Health would like to hereby open up a frank and straightforward academic discussion with the National Congress of American Indians as the first step to closing the ideological gap separating both communities; and as a way to increase the possibilities for benefits for all of Indian Country as the one entity we collectively represent.

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