i 

Annual Report of the 

American Indian/Alaska Native 

Health Research Advisory Council 

(HRAC) 

 

Fiscal Year 2015
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1

Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1

Presidential Memoranda and Executive Orders......................................................................................................................1

Formation of the HRAC..........................................................................................................................................................2

HRAC’s History......................................................................................................................................................................3

Fiscal Year 2015 Activities ....................................................................................................................... 4

Meetings (Teleconference and In-person)...............................................................................................................................4

Outreach Activities ................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Recommendations to HHS ....................................................................................................................... 9

Tribal Epidemiology Centers’ Public Health Authority Status...............................................................................................9

General Research Recommendations....................................................................................................................................10

Attachment A: ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Member and Partner List for FY 2015 ................................................................................................. 13

HRAC Co-Chairs..................................................................................................................................................................13

FY 2015 Members ................................................................................................................................................................14

Federal Partners ....................................................................................................................................................................17
1 

INTRODUCTION

Each year, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) produces an annual report highlighting the American 

Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Health Research Advisory Council (HRAC) and its key activities and 

accomplishments. The fiscal year (FY) 2015 report includes summaries of FY 2015 HRAC meetings, a 

summary of HRAC outreach activities, and recommendations that the HRAC submitted to the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A list of HRAC members and federal partners is 

also included as an attachment. 

BACKGROUND

OMH was established in 1986, following the release of the 1985 Report of the Secretary’s Task Force 

on Black and Minority Health. The mission of OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic 

minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate 

health disparities. OMH advises the HHS Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Health, and other 

departmental leadership and works collaboratively with other HHS Operating and Staff Divisions, 

federal agencies, and other organizations across the country on health-related matters affecting AI/AN, 

Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 

populations. 

As the Executive Secretariat for the HRAC, OMH is responsible for the administrative and fiscal 

operation of the HRAC, solicitation and selection of tribal delegates, and for ensuring that delegates and 

alternates meet Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) exemption requirements.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDA AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Presidential Memoranda and Executive Orders have been developed over the years in support of the 

relationship between tribal governments and the U.S. Federal Government. In 1970, President Richard 

M. Nixon set forth a new direction for Indian policy aimed toward Indian self-determination. He stated: 

“It is long past time that the Indian policies of the Federal Government began to recognize and build 

upon the capacities and insights of the Indian people.” 

An abbreviated timeline of memoranda and orders is presented below: 

April 29, 1994 » President William J. Clinton issued the Government-to-Government 

Relationship with Native American Tribal Governments memorandum to 

executive departments and agencies. It emphasized the special 

relationship between tribal governments and the Federal Government 

regarding tribal consultation and sovereignty. 

[Circa 1996] » The Domestic Policy Council Working Group on Indian Affairs requested 

that each department develop its own operational definition of 

“consultation” with Indian tribes to meet the requirements of the Indian 

Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act. 
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August 7, 1997 » HHS created its formal Tribal Consultation Policy to strengthen the 

federal to tribal government-to-government relationship and ensure that 

tribes are consulted on matters affecting them. 

November 6, 

2000 

» President Clinton issued a revised Executive Order (13175) that 

reinforced his Administration’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and the 

unique government-to-government relationship that exists between the 

U.S. Government and tribal governments; directed agencies to establish 

regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration between tribal

nations and the Federal Government; and directed all federal agencies to 

coordinate and consult with Indian tribal governments whose interests 

might be directly and substantially affected by activities on federally

administered lands. 

November 5, 

2009 

» President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum on tribal 

consultation that reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to regular 

and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials 

through implementation of Executive Order 13175. 

December 12, 

2010 

» HHS, working with tribal leaders, developed and signed a revised Tribal

Consultation Policy that provided more opportunities for tribal input 

through the development of policies, regulations, and budgets. 

FORMATION OF THE HRAC

HHS solicited nominations from tribal leaders to develop the HRAC beginning in November 2005. One 

delegate and one alternate from each of the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) areas as well as four national 

at-large members make up the HRAC. Members of the Council are elected or appointed tribal officials. 

Federal partners representing HHS Operating and Staff Divisions also support the Council. 

The HRAC was established to fulfill three primary functions:

1. Obtain input from tribal leaders on health research priorities and needs for their communities; 

2. Provide a forum through which HHS Operating and Staff Divisions can better communicate 

and coordinate AI/AN health research activities; and 

3. Provide a conduit for disseminating information to tribes about research findings from 

studies on the health of AI/AN populations. 

During its first meeting in May 2006, the HRAC elected two Co-Chairs, Councilwoman Cara Cowan 

Watts and President Cecilia Fire Thunder, to serve as the leaders and facilitators for meetings, outreach 

events, and general activities. HRAC members participated in numerous conference calls to plan for 

and organize activities. During these calls, they reviewed other HHS advisory models, discussed

solicitation of research priorities and needs, and planned for future meetings. 
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The HRAC held its second meeting in November 2006 and reached a collective agreement to focus on 

three objectives:

1. Establish the HRAC Charter (outlining the purpose, background, and structure of the Council 

and processes for voting, membership, and leadership); 

2. Develop a Discussion Guide (a survey to inquire about health research priorities and needs in 

Indian Country); and

3. Establish future meeting dates.

HRAC Members at June 2014 Meeting

HRAC’S HISTORY

From 2006 to 2014, the HRAC held quarterly conference calls and annual meetings. The topics of 

continued concern and interest included the National Children’s Study, National Institutes of Health 

(NIH) Tribal Consultation Policy, data sharing, scholarships for Native researchers, and a Native health 

research database. Based on the findings of these discussions, the HRAC developed and presented 

recommendations to HHS through letters to the Secretary and testimony at the annual HHS National 

Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation Sessions. 

The HRAC developed a Discussion Guide to help ascertain health research priorities in Indian Country 

and constructed survey questions to examine healthcare delivery systems and the research that tribes 

were conducting. The HRAC members distributed the Discussion Guide to tribal leaders in their 

respective IHS areas from 2007 to 2009. The Discussion Guide results provided valuable information to 

the HRAC from the tribes’ perspectives regarding health concerns, priorities, and the methodology by 

which future research should be conducted. 

HRAC members attended outreach events to educate and inform tribes of the HRAC’s mission and 

objectives. Events included the Annual Native Health Research Conference (2008, 2010, and 2011); 

National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Annual Consumer Conference (2008, 2011, and 2012); AI/AN 

Health Policy Conference (2009); IHS/Health Canada Maternal and Child Health Research Meeting 

(2009); Third National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health 

(2009); NIHB Public Health Summit (2010); HHS Regional Consultations (2011, 2012, 2013, and 
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2014); Oklahoma City Area Indian Tribal Health Board Public Health Conference (2013); NIHB 

Quarterly Meeting (2013); and the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Board Quarterly Meeting (2014). 

These events provided an opportunity for tribes to collaborate and share their knowledge and 

experiences regarding the advancement of health research and its importance in Indian Country. 

In addition, the HRAC collaborated with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Health Resources and Services Administration 

(HRSA); IHS; Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA); NIH; Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration (SAMHSA); Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) staff; OMH; and external 

researchers and scientists to advance its knowledge of healthcare research and learn how to promote best 

practices in health research throughout Indian Country. 

FISCAL YEAR 2015 ACTIVITIES

MEETINGS (TELECONFERENCE AND IN-PERSON) 

December 18, 2014

The HRAC held its first teleconference for FY 2015 on December 18, 2014. HRAC Co-Chair and 

Bemidji Area Delegate Aaron Payment and Mr. Rick Haverkate, Public Health Advisor/American 

Indian & Alaska Native Health Policy Lead, OMH, opened the call and welcomed participants.

Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and Director, OMH, introduced 

the new HRAC Albuquerque Area Delegate, Michelle Gomez, Director of the Jicarilla Apache Health & 

Fitness Center. She also announced two new additions to the OMH leadership team: Carol Jimenez, 

Deputy Director, and Alexis Bakos, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.

Dr. Gracia noted that she understands that the HRAC Charter is important and her office is working hard 

to ensure that the HRAC Charter reflects the primary and current functions of the HRAC. She said that 

this process is a priority and that her office is committed to this work.

Mr. Haverkate noted that one of the HRAC requests has been a Native research database/clearinghouse 

and that the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) has an extensive library/database that could be a good 

starting point with the ability to increase content. He asked Faye Williams, Knowledge Center Manager, 

to give a presentation on the AI/AN Health Research Portal/Clearinghouse. Ms. Williams mentioned the 

OMHRC Knowledge Center contains a collection of 50,000 documents, books, journal articles, and 

media related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations. The library collection also 

includes sources of consumer health material in more than 35 languages. They have three librarians on 

staff and an information specialist who staffs a toll-free number to respond to requests from the public. 

Roland Zebina, IT Manager, OMHRC, gave a demonstration of the updated HRAC website that will be 

launched soon. It has a new format to match the updated OMH website. The new format will allow the 

HRAC to present more information. The navigation banner is now at the top of the site to make it more 

simplified. The information is all still there, but it has just been reorganized and updated. The website 

links will all remain the same. 
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Chairperson Payment reported that at a recent Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting, 

one of the key issues mentioned was youth suicide and how this relates to historical trauma. This has 

been a topic discussed by the HRAC, so this was carried to the STAC. 

Councilman Antone noticed that environmental issues, as they relate to mining in Indian Country, have 

begun to surface (specifically in Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona). The other issue he raised

is a behavioral health/mental health agenda. He suggested that HHS agencies meet to develop a longterm plan to address the mental health issue, as some form of research is needed to bolster the agenda. 

Councilman Antone noted he serves as Chair of the CDC tribal advisory committee. One of the main 

issues is the Native specimens protocol including collection, protection, and disposal/disposition of the 

Native specimens. Tribes need to address the cultural sensitivity issue to ensure that cultural and 

traditional practices are protected since all tribes are different. 

March 26, 2015 

The HRAC teleconference call on March 26, 2015, began with Chairperson Payment and Mr. Haverkate 

opening the call and welcoming participants.

Dr. Gracia thanked Chairperson Payment and Councilman Stephen Kutz for their leadership of the 

HRAC and their help in moving the priorities forward as well as the HRAC members for their time and 

dedication in providing recommendations to HHS. 

Dr. Gracia introduced the two newest members of the HRAC: Rodney Haring, PhD, who will be 

representing the Seneca Nation as a National At-Large Member; and Charlene Jones of the 

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, who will be serving as the Nashville Area Delegate. 

Mr. Haverkate said that the HRAC Annual Meeting has been set for June 4-5, 2015, in Washington, DC. 

He indicated that the dates were set because they followed the STAC meeting, which is being held on 

June 2-3, also in Washington, DC. 

Chairperson Payment stated he would like to see some data collection conducted before the meeting to 

inform the research priorities discussion in June. Ms. Gomez volunteered to participate on a work group 

to discuss the priorities survey. Councilman Kutz said that the audience for the data gathering could 

include the tribes and EpiCenters, as well as urban organizations. Mr. Haverkate volunteered to send 

out an invitation for others to participate in the work group. Chairperson Payment indicated that it is 

important to identify the priorities within the list of the HRAC priorities document.

Malia Villegas, PhD, said one topic that is rising to the top of the priorities is the discussion on 

marijuana use. It is important to make the science around use available to members and their 

communities. Chairperson Payment stated that the Department of Justice has sent a letter to the states, 

indicating that it is not planning to prosecute certain crimes of use. This policy sends mixed messages. 

The HRAC should be sharing information on addiction. 

Councilman Kutz said that he was a member of the STAC that went to the CDC lab where tobacco in 

cigarette products is tested. They had an opportunity to see the harmful additives in tobacco, and he 

asked if research was being done on marijuana. Councilman Kutz indicated that the CDC is not doing 

any testing or research because it is an illegal substance. There is a significant amount of information 
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available on prescription medications, but none on nonprescription drugs. He noted that the AI/AN 

community, as well as others, needs this information. 

Dr. Haring said that there are a few common themes that fall within the issue of translation. He 

mentioned that many research products and papers in peer review do not get passed on to the 

community. When the information does get passed on, it is often not in a format that is easy for the 

community to understand. 

Chairperson Payment said that he also attended an interesting session at the STAC on historical trauma, 

and he would like to see a study done that would help improve the understanding of trauma. He noted 

that the CDC showed there is a chemical change in the brain as a reaction to trauma. 

HRAC Members at June 2015 Annual Meeting

June 4-5, 2015

The HRAC Annual Meeting was held on June 4-5, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Haverkate 

welcomed participants and conducted a roll call of tribal delegates and federal representatives. 

Dr. Gracia reviewed the strategic priorities of OMH: 1) support the development and implementation of 

the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that address disparities and equity; 2) lead the implementation, 

evaluation, and monitoring of the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

(HHS Disparities Action Plan); and 3) coordinate the National Partnership for Action to End Health 

Disparities (NPA) and the National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity. 

The HHS Disparities Action Plan is a department-wide commitment. It includes strategies to improve 

data collection and promote research methodologies to reduce disparities, including community-based 

participatory research. An important aspect is the implementation of the National Standards for 

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS 

Standards). OMH looks to the HRAC for advice on culturally appropriate research in AI/AN 

communities.
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Councilwoman Cowan Watts provided a history of the HRAC and reviewed the purpose of the HRAC, 

the structure of the HRAC, HRAC member responsibilities, and key challenges and priorities for the 

HRAC going forward.

A discussion on historical trauma research was included during the meeting. Chairperson Payment 

suggested that the STAC and HRAC could convene a colloquium, with the proceedings edited by Maria 

Yellow Horse Brave Heart, PhD. Councilman Kutz stated that many of the interventions developed to 

heal from historical trauma are not seen as valid. 

Mr. Zebina introduced the revised HRAC website, which had a soft launch on June 3, 2015 

(http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/hrac). The site is more functional and easier to update. It includes a new 

feedback section with a dropdown feature that allows comments to be sent to a specific region, which 

will help to manage the volume of email that members receive. 

Ms. Faye Williams provided an overview of the OMHRC Knowledge Center and highlighted resources 

related to AI/AN populations. Ms. Williams noted that HRAC members can stay connected with 

OMHRC through email updates, the website, and social media. Mr. Haverkate encouraged members to 

use the website to communicate with their communities and obtain feedback on HRAC activities and 

priorities.

Mr. Haverkate reviewed proposed revisions to the HRAC Charter. He noted that many of the revisions 

entailed minor changes in formatting or punctuation. Other changes made the HRAC compliant with the 

STAC Charter. Council members discussed the proposed revisions to the HRAC Charter, using the 

redlined version. The discussion of the charter was tabled to a conference call on Thursday, June 18, 

2015, to be followed with an electronic vote approving the charter. 

The Council broke into three groups to identify their top priorities for the remainder of the current fiscal 

year and for FY 2016. Council Delegates reviewed the priorities that emerged during the breakout 

session on Day 1 and discussed how to consolidate them. The following list of priorities emerged from 

that process:

HHS-wide (umbrella) policy for research:

• Oversampling; 

• Funding; 

• Data sharing, access, ownership;

• Accountability; and

• HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

Native healthcare research database/clearinghouse:

• Include evaluation, public health activity, and surveillance research. 

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Point of Contact list published in the Federal Register annually: 

• Include all federally recognized tribes and tribal colleges.
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Build local capacity to inform practice:

• Scholarships/training/pipeline; and

• Promote IRB best practices throughout Indian Country. 

Social determinants of health:

• Historical trauma, adverse childhood experiences;

• Culture as prevention/intervention; and 

• Working with researchers to develop more applied research. 

Culture-specific modes of intervention: 

• Special study sections; and

• Federal Requests for Application (RFAs) reflecting more culturally based research questions.

Representatives of HRAC's federal partners provided briefing reports to the HRAC along with brief 

updates from their respective agencies or organizations. Many of the reports generated a discussion 

from HRAC members. The following representatives presented reports: the AHRQ; ACF; ASPE; NIH; 

HRSA; IHS; and CDC. 

Chairperson Payment and Councilman Kutz were re-elected as Co-Chairs by unanimous vote. 

Chairperson Payment closed the meeting with a traditional prayer and reminded members that their 

work on the Council was on behalf of their people at home. 

Anita Frederick, Dawnette Weaver, Cara Cowan Watts, and Michael Peercy
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OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

The HRAC conducted outreach throughout the year to share its priorities and recommendations, provide 

updates to tribes on HRAC activities, and to gather feedback and input from tribes and tribal 

communities regarding research issues, concerns, and priorities. HRAC written materials were 

submitted for the HHS Region VI and VII Tribal Consultation held on May 5-7 in Norman, Oklahoma. 

Chairperson Payment attended the 17th HHS Annual National Tribal Budget Consultation held on 

February 25-26, 2015, in Washington, DC, and provided testimony on behalf of the HRAC. Finally, the 

HRAC disseminated materials through an exhibit booth at NIHB’s Annual Consumer Conference held 

September 21-24, 2015, in Washington, DC. 

RECOMMENDATIONS TO HHS

The HRAC submitted recommendations to HHS via testimony on February 26, 2015, on issues of 

concern from the tribal communities that the HRAC represents. The recommendations that were 

submitted are provided below. 

TRIBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY CENTERS’ PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY STATUS

Tribal Epidemiology Centers are having difficulty gaining access to datasets held by state governments, 

even though the Affordable Care Act established TECs as “public health authorities” as that term is 

defined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Affordable 

Care Act also provided new statutory authority for IHS-funded TECs to access “data, data sets, 

monitoring systems, delivery systems and other protected health information in possession of the 

Secretary.” 

Access to state-maintained datasets is particularly important given the high rates of misidentification of 

AI/ANs in most state data and resulting publications and use of misinformation concerning AI/AN 

health status and access to health services. Access to state datasets, such as vital statistics records and 

the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, is important because access to IHS-provided 

services varies greatly within the IHS delivery system, and many service areas do not have access to 

IHS-operated hospitals or IHS specialty providers. This results in IHS data alone being incapable of 

reflecting a more accurate picture of AI/AN service utilization and health status in those states.

The HRAC recommends that the Secretary send a letter to the governor of each state identified as failing 

to comply with Affordable Care Act and HIPAA regulations and their state’s department of health 

requesting that they facilitate TEC access to state data and datasets for the purposes of assessing and 

reporting the health status of AI/ANs in each state for health program and facility planning. 

Furthermore, when TECs access state data, fees charged should not be higher than those paid by other 

governmental entities. The HRAC respectfully requests that states be encouraged to work with the 

TECs to provide comparable data on health status of the general population for benchmarking and to 

track progress in eliminating health disparities. The HRAC also asks that TECs have a place, such as 

the Secretary’s office, where they can report any further difficulties in accessing the data and that states 

be made aware of this reporting mechanism.
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GENERAL RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS

The HRAC is acutely aware of the high and disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality 

experienced by AI/ANs; therefore, many of the recommendations focus on addressing the health 

disparities that continue to plague Indian Country. Additionally, the HRAC would like to recommend 

that HHS increase its activities to address the suicide epidemic in AI/AN communities, including the 

research of the root causes of the epidemic.

In order to address the health concerns identified by the HRAC, research should focus on: 

• Data quality and accuracy to address under-representation of AI/ANs in population health data; 

• The lack of access to healthcare services for AI/ANs in both rural and urban settings; 

• Lack of incorporation of traditional healthcare practices and traditional diets;

• The efficacy of health promotion/disease prevention activities; and

• The lack of health insurance coverage for AI/ANs. 

The HRAC has identified and recommends several research priorities (list is not prioritized), including: 

• Quantification of chronic disease prevalence (e.g., cancer, heart disease, diabetes) and associated 

risk factors (e.g., obesity, diet, physical activity) through sustained support of prospective studies 

among AI/AN populations; 

• Chronic disease risk factor reduction; 

• Intentional and unintentional injuries; 

• Hypertension – evaluating methods to improve awareness and treatment of hypertension;

• Stroke prevalence/prevention;

• Methamphetamine prevalence/prevention;

• Evaluation of the use of emerging technology (such as telemedicine, electronic health records, 

health information exchange, etc.) for the provision of care; 

• Health services research (such as utilization of prenatal care, preventable hospitalizations, 

emergency room utilization, etc.);

• Autoimmune disorders; 

• Suicide (prevention, causality, and incidence rates);

• The readiness of tribal governments for public health accreditation; 

• Healthcare reform impact and effectiveness;

• Environmental justice;

• Alzheimer’s disease/dementia;

• Historical trauma; and

• Autism. 

In addition, efforts should be made to support research aims that attempt to understand exposure to risk 

and vulnerability over the lifespan to American Indian health due to social determinants such as social 

exclusion, marginalization, and inequality. Research should address the complex interactions between 

health determinants and long-term exposure to risks unique to AI/ANs as an indigenous population. 
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It is important to stress that all research conducted should be evidence-based and to the extent possible, 

community-based participatory. Tribal governments are the rightful owners of their respective data, and 

therefore all efforts should be undertaken to ensure tribal governments are consulted before such data is 

shared with any entity. In addition to health concerns and research priorities, many barriers exist 

regarding research activities in Indian Country. These barriers could be addressed by:

• Increasing cultural sensitivity among researchers;

• Increasing the number of AI/AN researchers (a possible avenue is through additional funding 

through the IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program and Loan Repayment Program); 

• Improving the accuracy of data related to AI/ANs and the interoperability of data among HHS 

Operating and Staff Divisions; 

• Increasing the amount of available comparative data (when research includes a comparison of 

racial or ethnic data that does not include AI/ANs, we recommend that HHS make oversampling 

a priority to provide this data for comparison); 

• Improving infrastructure among tribal governments to increase tribal capacity to carry out 

research and/or implement recommendations identified through research; 

• Increasing the amount of community-driven research;

• Providing IHS with a research-funding line item to support research by and for AI/ANs; 

• Holding a consultation with tribes for the purpose of developing a department-wide policy on 

data management in Indian Country; and 

• The establishment of single data sources. (As an example, the Federal Government maintains 

several AI/AN data sources through IHS, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services, CDC, NIH, SAMHSA, U.S. Census Bureau, and several others. A single,

integrated Internet-accessible website with data available to calculate simple statistics, such as 

incidence and prevalence rates, etc., would assist in identifying areas of focus within AI/AN 

communities. The resource could provide access to published data as well.)

While the HRAC would like to see more grants awarded directly to tribal governments, the HRAC

realizes that academic institutions and research organizations are often the most suitable awardees for 

certain highly technical and advanced research grants. Unfortunately, when academic institutions and 

research organizations are awarded grants for research affecting AI/AN communities, no uniformity or 

requirements exist for collaboration and cooperation with tribal governments. The HRAC recommends 

that grant requirements include demonstrated cooperation and collaboration with tribal governments, 

such as with the submission of a tribal resolution. While some grant awardees may consider such a 

requirement too burdensome, numerous resources exist to reduce any burdens on grant awardees. 

Resources that are readily available to assist include the HRAC, other AI/AN federal advisory bodies, 

inter-tribal organizations, Area Indian Health Boards, TECs, and numerous others. The HRAC offers 

this recommendation not only because it is the right thing to do, but the HRAC has seen too many times 

where a research project has been rendered useless by the AI/AN community because it was conducted 

without adequate collaboration, or relied on invalid AI/AN expertise.

The HRAC also recommends that agencies allow more time between when the funding opportunity 

announcement is released and the application deadline. Tribes and tribal organizations typically have 

internal requirements, such as tribal council approval through a resolution, to meet before developing 

and submitting a proposal. These meetings may only be held monthly; therefore, a 30-day response 

period to a funding announcement is not enough time. The HRAC also recommends that a Dear Tribal 
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Leader letter be sent out as an early announcement before a funding announcement is released to allow 

additional preparation time.

In addition to requiring tribal collaboration and cooperation as part of grant-funding requirements, it is 

important to have grant reviewers who have demonstrated experience with tribal governments and who 

are culturally sensitive. Such reviewers can ensure that grant applications adequately include 

collaboration and cooperation components. These reviewers are often more prepared to assess grant 

applications submitted by members of AI/AN communities who may have extensive subject matter 

experience but fewer academic credentials and degrees. The HRAC recommends a training module be 

developed and shared to assist non-Native reviewers.
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ATTACHMENT A: 

MEMBER AND PARTNER LIST FOR FY 2015 

HRAC CO-CHAIRS

Stephen Kutz

Councilman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe 

1044 11th Avenue 

Longview, WA 98632 

Phone: (360) 508-6347 

Fax: (360) 731-2885 

Email: skutz.health@cowlitz.org

Aaron Payment 

Tribal Chairperson, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

523 Ashmun Street 

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 

Phone: (906) 635-6050 

Fax: (906) 632-6289 

Email: aaronpayment@saulttribe.net

HRAC Co-Chairs Stephen Kutz and Aaron Payment
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FY 2015 MEMBERS

Tribal Members by IHS Area

Alaska Area

Region 10: Seattle

Delegate

Ileen Sylvester

Vice President of Executive & Tribal Services

Southcentral Foundation 

Alaska Area

Region 10: Seattle 

Alternate

Timothy Thomas 

Division of Community Health Services 

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 

Albuquerque Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Delegate

Loyola “Michelle” Gomez

Director

Jicarilla Apache Community Health & Fitness Center

Albuquerque Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

Pamela B. Cordova 

Councilwoman 

Mescalero Apache Tribe 

Bemidji Area

Region 5: Chicago 

HRAC Co-Chair

Delegate

Aaron Payment

Tribal Chairman

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 

Bemidji Area

Region 5: Chicago 

Alternate

Larry Jacques

Director of Strategic Planning and Development 

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 

Billings Area

Region 8: Denver 

Delegate

Patty Quisno 

Councilwoman 

Fort Belknap Indian Community 

Billings Area

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

Darrin Old Coyote 

Chairman

Crow Nation

California Area 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

Daniel J. Calac

Chief Medical Officer

Indian Health Council 

California Area 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

(VACANT) 

Great Plains Area

Region 7: Kansas City 

Region 8: Denver

Delegate

Patrick Marcellais

Councilman 

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians 
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Tribal Members by IHS Area

Great Plains Area

Region 7: Kansas City 

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

John Blackhawk

Chairman

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska 

Nashville Area

Region 1: Boston

Region 2: New York

Region 3: Philadelphia

Region 4: Atlanta 

Delegate

Charlene Jones

Third Party Administration Customer Service Supervisor 

Pequot Health Care 

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Nashville Area

Region 1: Boston

Region 2: New York 

Region 3: Philadelphia

Region 4: Atlanta 

Alternate

(VACANT)

Navajo Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

Russell Begaye

President

Navajo Nation 

Navajo Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

Jonathan Nez 

Vice President

Navajo Nation

Oklahoma Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 7: Kansas City 

Delegate

Cara Cowan Watts

Tribal Council Representative

Cherokee Nation

Oklahoma Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 7: Kansas City 

Alternate

Tom Anderson 

Tribal EpiCenter Director

Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center

Phoenix Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

(VACANT)

Phoenix Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

(VACANT)

Portland Area

Region 10: Seattle 

HRAC Co-Chair

Delegate

Stephen Kutz 

Councilman 

Cowlitz Indian Tribe 

Portland Area

Region 10: Seattle 

Alternate

Kim Zillyett-Harris

Health Director

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe 

Tucson Area

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

Chester Antone 

Councilman 

Tohono O’odham Nation 

Tucson Area

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

(VACANT) 
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National At-Large Members

National At-Large Member Delegate

Jefferson Keel

Lt. Governor 

Chickasaw Nation

National At-Large Member Alternate

Malia Villegas

Director, Policy Research Center

National Congress of American Indians

National At-Large Member Delegate

H. Sally Smith

Ekuk Village Representative

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation 

National At-Large Member Alternate

Stacy Bohlen 

Executive Director

National Indian Health Board 

National At-Large Member Delegate

Rodney Haring 

Seneca Nation of Indians 

National At-Large Member Alternate

Timothy J. Waterman 

Chief Executive Officer

Seneca Nation Health System

National At-Large Member Delegate

Michael Peercy

Epidemiologist 

Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority

Chickasaw Nation Division of Health

National At-Large Member Alternate

Mickey Peercy

Executive Director of Health Services

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 
17

FEDERAL PARTNERS

Federal Partners

Office of Minority Health Delegate

J. Nadine Gracia

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health

Office of Minority Health Alternate

Rick Haverkate

Public Health Advisor 

Agency for Health Research 

and Quality

Delegate

Kishena C. Wadhwani 

Director, Division of Scientific Review

Office of Extramural Research

Education and Priority Populations 

Intergovernmental and 

External Affairs

Delegate

Stacey Ecoffey

Principal Advisor Tribal Affairs

Intergovernmental and 

External Affairs

Alternate

Elizabeth "Liz" Carr

Tribal Affairs Specialist

Indian Health Service Delegate

Mose A. Herne

Director

Division of Planning, Evaluation, and Research 

Office of Public Health Support 

Indian Health Service Alternate

Asantewa Gyekye-Kusi 

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

Delegate

Delight Satter

Senior Advisor for Tribal Research and Program Integration

Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support 

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

Alternate

Kimberly Cantrell

Public Health Advisor 

Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support 

Assistant Secretary for 

Planning and Evaluation 

Delegate

Adelle Simmons 

Senior Program Analyst

Office of Health Policy
18

Federal Partners

National Institutes of Health Delegate

Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable

Director

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities 

National Institutes of Health Alternate

Joyce A. Hunter 

Deputy Director

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Health Resources and 

Services Administration

Delegate

Michael Weaver

Public Health Analyst

Office of Health Equity 

Health Resources and 

Services Administration

Alternate

Gwenivere Gordon Rose 

Public Health Analyst

Office of Health Equity 

Administration for Children 

and Families

Delegate

Aleta Meyer

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 

Administration for Children 

and Families

Alternate

Hilary Forster

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 

Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services 

Adminstration

Delegate

Sheila K. Cooper 

Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs
19

For Additional Information on the HRAC:

Please Contact:

Office of Minority Health 

1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 600

Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: (240) 453-2882 

Email: OMH-HRAC@hhs.gov