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Fact Sheets

Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee	print version (PDF - 256 KB)
Guidance and Leadership on American Indian and Alaska Native Health	updated June 2008

The Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee provides leadership, guidance, and recommendations to the Indian Health Service (IHS) and other government agencies on issues related to diabetes and related chronic health conditions among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

The creation of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee

The Director of the IHS established the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee in 1998 in response to the successful partnership between IHS and Tribal Leaders in establishing the process for distributing the Special Diabetes Program for Indians funds. By creating this committee, the Director sought to foster an ongoing dialogue between IHS and Tribal leadership on matters related to diabetes, chronic health conditions, and other health issues in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee is an important outcome of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians and demonstrates the true spirit of ongoing partnership between Tribal and IHS leadership.

The role of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee

As an advisory body to the IHS Director, the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee: Makes recommendations on diabetes-related policy and advocacy issues. Provides advice and guidance to ensure that appropriate cultural traditions and values are incorporated in program development, research, and community-based activities. Offers guidance to other organizations—such as Federal agencies and organizations, states, Tribal epidemiology centers, institutions of higher learning, and private health organizations—on how they can help address diabetes and related chronic health conditions among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Serves as a Tribal advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Native Diabetes Wellness Program.

Membership of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee

The Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee includes 18 members: One elected or appointed Tribal official (and alternate) from each of the 12 IHS administrative areas (voting members). One IHS representative (voting member). One representative (and alternate) from each of the following organizations (non-voting members): National Indian Health Board National Congress of American Indians Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee Direct Service Tribes National Council of Urban Indian Health Buford Rolin of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the current Chair. Alvin Windy Boy Sr. of the Chippewa Cree Tribe was the first Chair of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee.

Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee contact information

Buford Rolin, Chair Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee c/o IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention 5300 Homestead Road NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 T 505.248.4182 • F 505.248.4188 Email: diabetesprogram@ihs.gov Web: http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/diabetes

“It’s been wonderful to see the progress we have made in diabetes treatment and prevention with the resources from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. We are teaching our families how important it is to address the diabetes epidemic.” — Buford Rolin, Chair, Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee