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Tribal Consultation
Consultation facilitates tribal engagement and input in VA policies, programs and services that may affect Veterans living in Indian Country and tribal governments. The focus: establishing and sustaining enduring, trusting relationships necessary to serve our Nation’s heroes.
About OTGR
We help ensure Indian Country's Veterans know what VA offers Veterans and how to access the full range of services and benefits our Veterans have courageously earned through their service. Learn more about OTGR.
Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
VA has implemented an aggressive public health response to protect and care for Veterans in the face of this emerging health risk. We are working directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to monitor the outbreak of the virus. See the resource links below:
About VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR)
The OTGR team works to strengthen and build closer relations between the VA, tribal governments and other key federal, state, private and non-profit partners in an effort to effectively and respectfully serve Veterans across Indian Country. Read more...
Upcoming Events
VA OTGR WEBEX WEDNESDAYS
November 18, 2020 “Women Veterans”
Other Va Programs
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Program of 2019
The John D. Dingell, Jr., Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 provides the opportunity for eligible Vietnam-era Veterans or their heirs to select 2.5 to 160 acres of Federal land in Alaska. Veterans or their heirs will have five years to select and apply for land. The program is open to all eligible Alaska Natives who served between August 5, 1964 and December 31, 1971, and it removes the requirement for personal use or occupancy mandated under previous laws.
Learn more about the Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Program of 2019.
2018 Summary Report on VA Claims Events in Indian Country
In 2018, VA conducted a special outreach campaign to reach Veterans across Indian Country during which VA held events on tribal lands. For many tribal Veterans, VA’s visits to their communities for this campaign offered their first-ever opportunity to interact with VA. This report describes how VA engaged with tribes and AI/AN Veterans in 2018 to bring benefits to Veterans who experience presumptive conditions. Download the report in PDF format.
National Native American Veterans Memorial
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) has been charged by Congress with establishing a National Native American Veterans Memorial, to give “all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Kevin Gover, Director of the National Museum of the American Indian, gives a presentation on the National Native American Veterans Memorial on September 28, 2016.
Viist the National Native American Veterans Memorial website
Tribal Consultation
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) consults with tribal governments in order to facilitate tribal engagement and input in VA policies, programs and services that may affect Veterans living in Indian Country and tribal governments. Tribal Consultation is either formal, or informal in nature, with a focus on emphasizing the importance of establishing and sustaining enduring, trusting relationships necessary to serve our Nation’s heroes.
Access
Agreement Between Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration and Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service for Reimbursement for Direct Health Care Services is Amended through 2024.
The Director, Indian Health Service, writes to Tribal Leaders to inform them that the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration recently amended the national IHS-VA VHA Reimbursement Agreement, which effects direct health care services to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans at 74 IHS facilities.
Amended IHS and VA Agreement Expands Reimbursement for Direct Health Care Services
The Acting Director informs Tribal Leaders that the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Department of Veterans Affairs recently amended its agreement for reimbursement for direct health care services to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans at 77 IHS facilities.
Outreach, Communication & Training
Dear Tribal Leader Letter re: Mission Act of 2018 Legislation
Read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter
- MISSION Act Current Future State Comparison
- MISSION Act Educational Initiatives
- MISSION Act Information Sheet Community Care
- MISSION Act Urgent Care Information
- MISSION Act VA Health Care Options Brochure
- MISSION Act Veteran Community Care Fact Sheet
- MISSION Act Veteran Community Care Eligibility Fact Sheet
VA Presumptive Campaign in Indian Country
This initiative is a nationwide outreach campaign focused on identifying and assisting Veterans across Indian Country who may have presumptive disabilities and Veterans who may have non-compensable disabilities (VA pension claims).
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter [PDF]
- Presumptive Disability Benefits Fact Sheet [PDF]
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Fact Sheet [PDF]
- Special Monthly Compensation Fact Sheet [PDF]
- VA Pension Fact Sheet [PDF]
Office of Tribal Government Relations Newsletter — Winter 2019
