- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 will hold a hearing on “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Native Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis.”
On October 20, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration sent Congress a list of emergency supplemental spending that includes a request for $250 million to the Indian Health Service to fight the opioid/fentanyl crisis. This investment is proposed as part of a $1.55 billion investment into Opioid Response grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Overall, the proposal represents a historic 16 percent set-aside of emergency opioid response funding for Tribes and Tribal organizations.
The Committee will hear directly from Tribal leaders and Native health experts to examine the impact of fentanyl in Native communities and learn about the promising tools Native communities have developed to address their own needs.
Panelists Include:
Lummi Nation, Bellingham, Washington
The Honorable Jamie S. Azure, Chairman
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, Belcourt, North Dakota
The Honorable Bryce Kirk, Councilman
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, Poplar, Montana
Dr. A. Aukahi Austin Seabury, Ph.D., Executive Director & Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I Ola Lāhui, Inc., Honolulu, Hawii
Mr. Eric M. Gettis, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Juneau, Alaska
WHEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 2:30 pm - EST
WHERE: Dirksen Senate Building, Room 628
LIVESTREAM: Live video of the event will be available here.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (December 22, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Washington Post Reports Indian School Deaths are Three Times What the Federal Government Reported
Federal Government Shutdown Averted: How Native Americans in Congress Voted
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.
