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The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold an oversight hearing next week on youth suicide.

According to the White House Native Youth Report, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 15 through 24. Their rate of suicide is 2.5 times higher than the national average.

The problem is particularly acute for young Native males. According to the report, their rate of suicide was by far the highest among all Americans ages 15 to 24. The Indian Health Service, through the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative and the Suicide Prevention Program, offers funding and support to help tribes address the issue. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also provides grants and programs in Indian Country.

But the White House report urges the federal government to do more to protect the youngest and most vulnerable Americans.

“Federal agencies have developed myriad workforce and training activities, tele-health resources, and programs to promote and support suicide prevention in tribal communities,” the report stated. “Despite important investments, key challenges remain, including ensuring a well-prepared behavioral health workforce and access to behavioral health services in Native communities.”

The hearing takes place at 2:15pm on June 24 in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. A witness list hasn’t been posted online.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on “Demanding Results to End Native Youth Suicides” (June 24, 2015)

To see more links or read the article on Indianz.com. click here.

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Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing on the impact of sequestration on Indian Country.  

WASHINGTON D.C. – On Thursday, November 14 at 2:30 PM, Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will hold a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the impact of sequestration on Indian Country and the ongoing effect of contract support cost shortfalls.

 The oversight hearing is comprised of witnesses from the Administration, Tribal leaders and impacted Tribal organizations. 

 The Committee will hear from representatives of the Administration on the impact of sequestration on Indian Country.  The Committee will also hear from the Administration on the management of contract support cost issues since the United States Supreme Court decision inU.S. v. Ramah, which held that Tribes are entitled to receive full contract support costs for their self-determination contracts and self-governance agreements. The Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service will represent the Administration.

 The Committee will also hear from Tribes regarding the effects of sequestration on their communities and the impact of unpaid contract support costs.

 The Committee will hear testimony from leaders of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake

 Superior Chippewa, Cloquet, MN; Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Siletz, OR; Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS; Chickasaw Nation, Ada, OK;

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; and the National Congress of American Indians.

 The hearing will take place in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and will be available online at indian.senate.gov. 

 DETAILS 

 WHAT: An oversight hearing on: the impact of sequestration on Indian Country and shortfalls in contract support costs for Tribes. 

WHEN: 2:30 PM, Thursday, November 14, 2013

 WHERE: 628 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

 
Live video and witness testimony will be provided at indian.senate.gov. 
 
WITNESS LIST

 Panel I:

 THE HONORABLE KEVIN WASHBURN, Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC

 THE HONORABLE YVETTE ROUBIDEAUX, Acting Director, Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

 Panel II:

 THE HONORABLE BRIAN CLADOOSBY, President, National Congress of American Indians, Washington, DC

 THE HONORABLE KAREN DIVER, Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cloquet, MN

 THE HONORABLE ALFRED “BUD”  LANE, Vice Chairman, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Siletz, OR

 THE HONORABLE PHYLISS ANDERSON, Chief, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS

 THE HONORABLE JEFFERSON KEEL, Lieutenant Governor, Chickasaw Nation, Ada, OK

 THE HONORABLE AARON PAYMENT, Chairman, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie, MI