(Photo courtesy of: Lennea Montandon, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Muscogee (Creek) Nation included in Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System
OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System (Task Force) held its first meeting April 4, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tulsa, Okla. The task force is focused on protecting Native American children from sexual abuse at the hands of Indian Health Service healthcare providers.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James Floyd attended the first meeting, which outlined mission, expectations and goals, including seeking the perspective of Native Americans on the IHS system.
Chief Floyd expressed support for the initiative and commitment to being involved for the well being of Muscogee (Creek) children.
“I am pleased that the White House has elevated the urgency of protecting American Indian children cared for under the Indian Health Service to the highest level possible,” Floyd said. “I will continue to follow the progress of the task force and commit to being available to advise the task force at every opportunity to ensure that systems and programs are in place for accountability in healthcare delivery to our children.”
Heading up the Task Force as co-chair is Choctaw Nation citizen and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Trent Shores.
“We have the opportunity to do good work for a righteous cause,” Shores said. “Protecting Native American children who enter the Indian Health Service system is a common sense mission. It’s also one, which this Task Force will approach, with a great sense of purpose and urgency.”
The Task Force discussed issues including: recruitment and retention of healthcare providers, continuing education requirements and reporting protocols.
Future meetings are scheduled in South Dakota and Montana.
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