VA’s Tribal and Indian Affairs Advisory Committee (TAC) kicked off 2024 with a 3-day meeting at Choctaw National Headquarters in Durant, OK.
The TAC is made up of 15 members from different Tribal Nations across the U.S. and a member who represents Native Hawaiian Veterans. The TAC met to discuss a wide range of topics about issues critical to the American Indian/Alaska Native and Hawaiian Native Veteran populations.
“The purpose of the committee is to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations and Native American Veterans,” said Mary Culley, tribal government relations specialist. “This includes advising the Secretary on the administration of health care services and if VA is meeting the needs of tribal Veterans.”
“We ensure our health care needs are addressed.”
Committee members heard from Choctaw Nation senior leaders and other VA officials. “Our committee advocates for the needs of American Native Veterans,” said Sonya M. Tetnowski, Makah Tribe, TAC Committee chair and chief executive director for the Indian Health Care Center. “We are the voice to ensure we are being represented and our VA health care needs are heard and addressed.”
The committee took a tour of the Choctaw Nation Healthcare Center in Talihina, OK, and visited VA staff and toured the campus of the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, TX.
“It’s important for our committee members to see firsthand the facilities providing care to our Veterans,” said Culley.
“I enjoy getting together as a committee to discuss issues with the goal of making lives better for our native Veterans,” said Kevin Meeks, deputy secretary for the Department of Health, Chickasaw Nation. “VA Secretary Denis McDonough has done a great job of taking our feedback and implementing those ideas within VA.”
During the meeting, the committee discussed a wide range of topics, including Native American Direct Loan Program, VA homeless program, suicide prevention, women’s domestic violence program, Tribal Veteran Service Officer Representation, Claims Clinic Events in Indian Country and VA’s Office of Connected Care.
TAC meetings are open to the public with a public comment opportunity.
“Attending this meeting has opened my eyes to the needs of Native American Veterans,” said Larue Guoladdle, Kiowa Tribe member and Kiowa Veterans director. “We need to connect with VA and build partnerships. Many Native Americans are not aware of the benefits and services available to them and our tribal community truly benefits from this type of engagement.”
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I myself am of Native American heritage. My family is from the Houma Indians of Louisiana. Many of my family have been associated with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I am happy that there are resources for indigenous people with the VA.
Great story! Can you tell me if anyone from the Cherokee Nation is on this specific board please. Thank you.
Good Evening (and thank you for asking for comments on this VA article).
1. This article caught my attention because I too never knew I qualified for VA Health Benefits after serving almost three years on active duty in the Navy (enlisted, non-combat) during the Viet Nam war. Many times as a young man I would wait to see a Doctor or Dentist until I could pay cash for the visit. Fortunately, I enjoyed good health for the most part so I never thought about it. I had access to Civil Service Health insurance after going to work for the Federal Government (from 9/1984) through my GEHA High Option and Medicare coverages today. I retired from Federal service (in 2021) at age 75. In 2017 I stopped at the Henderson Nevada VA Clinic at the request of a fellow employee (and Veteran) Stanley. The Staff was friendly and eager to help but their hands were tied. Legislation around 2002 established financial requirements on eligibility. I made too much money to qualify for VA health care. All I had to do was apply before the financial restrictions went into effect and I didn’t (because I did not know).
2, My younger brother served two years in the Army (stateside) during the same period. He never knew he qualified for benefits until Nevada Medicaid contacted the VA and shifted his care from Nevada to the VA around 2001. His health is failing and he lives in the Boulder City VA Facility.
3. My good friend Stanley is alive and well ai age 89. Stan fought on the front lines as a Marine in the Korean War. He suffered serious injuries from cold and other hardships. He applied for VA benefits in San Bernardino and was told his records could not be found. He and his wife Della raised their four children and were enjoying retirement when his wife died of cancer. Stan stopped by the VA Facility and those folks searched until they found his records. He qualified for a 200% rating with a backpay cutoff period. He is finally receiving a disability pension and he feels guilty because Della is not here to enjoy it with him. He regrets not giving his children a better life while they were growing up.
4. I hope to read your stories in future articles.
5. Thank you.
JR (in Nevada)