TITLE: Gerontology and Geriatric Research to Benefit American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) Elders & Tribes
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, health care providers and the general public do not have access to adequate gerontology and geriatric data and information. There is a lack of relevant, immediate, applicable community based and inter-disciplinary data. This lack of information contributes to AI/AN health disparities, maltreatment, exclusion, gaps, and other gerontological health issues; and
WHEREAS, research is needed to promote systematic investigation, development, testing, and evaluation centered on health issues central to the Native community in order to create a continual dialogue between investigators, health care providers, and the Native communities in general; and
WHEREAS, the lack of research, evidence based data, and information specific to AI/AN Elders decreases opportunities for tribes to seek alternative funding placing the AI/AN entities at a disadvantage for accessing potential resources to support aging services. Health care data and information help to enhance opportunities to secure funding resources for a variety of care services by tracking death rates and such chronic illnesses and acute diseases. The evidence based findings and interviews will contribute to health based equity and promote healthier lifestyles and establish common ethical and research practices such as community based participatory research (CBPR) that gains the trust of the AI/AN community by observing cultural values.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI hereby requests that the U.S Department of Health and Human Services increase opportunities and direct funding for gerontology and geriatric research to AI/AN entities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health increase research for and by AI/AN organizations with direct set aside funding from an increased Congressional appropriation; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution is policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2014 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, October 26-31, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia, with a quorum present.