July 20, 2026: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations
The bi-weekly update provides up-to-date information on recent events, meetings, conferences, upcoming deadlines, and recognition of the work being done across the Indian Health Service, other federal agencies, and Indian Country. For more information or questions, please email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.
IHS Continues “Eat Real Food” Initiative
Following this month’s launch of the “Rooted in Culture: Native Food of America,” a campaign that joins the HHS Eat Real Food Initiative, IHS is proud to have highlighted several examples of traditional foods and Indigenous knowledge systems that promote health and well-being among American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
From sharing a black bean and corn salsa recipe to learning how to make blue corn tortillas and a bison chili, we are pleased to join efforts that celebrate the history, cultural significance, and health benefits of traditional Indigenous foods. We ask that you follow our social media campaign and join us in honoring traditional foods of the Americas, as we share their deep connections to our cultural identity, land stewardship, and health.
Secretary Kennedy Meets with Standing Rock Tribe
Recently, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Mark Cruz met with Tribal leaders from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to discuss the future of Tribal health care on their reservation, including opportunities for enhanced Tribal control, facility needs, and regenerative agriculture efforts for real food production.
Facilities Appropriations Advisory Board Convenes in Rapid City
On July 14, IHS senior leadership, including Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton and Deputy Director Benjamin Smith, joined the Facilities Appropriations Advisory Board (FAAB) meeting virtually. The FAAB brings together Tribal and IHS representatives to provide advice and recommendations on facilities policies, priorities, and investments that support healthcare infrastructure across Indian Country. During the meeting, IHS leadership shared updates on agency priorities, including healthcare facility investments, the IHS Director nomination, and organizational realignment. Special thanks to the Great Plains Tribal Health Oyate Health Center in Rapid City, S.D., for hosting the meeting.
Agency Lead Negotiator Network Meeting
The IHS Agency Lead Negotiators met recently in Sacramento, Calif., to strengthen collaboration and consistency across area offices in ISDEAA negotiations. Discussions focused on organizational priorities, policy updates, funding processes, and negotiation priorities, while identifying issues requiring headquarters guidance and establishing priorities for future coordinated action. The meeting emphasized a collaborative approach to addressing shared challenges and advancing strategic initiatives.
IHS Announces Lisa Gyorda as Director of Office of Human Resources
The IHS recently announced the appointment of Lisa Gyorda as the director of the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and chief human capital officer. An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Gyorda has served IHS in several senior leadership roles within OHR and has been instrumental in advancing the agency's human capital priorities. Most recently, she served as acting director of OHR. She also previously served as the IHS Human Resources director, where she was instrumental in creating and launching the newly established headquarters HR organization in 2014. In this permanent role, she will continue providing executive leadership for the human resources programs and services that support our mission-critical workforce. Please join us in congratulating Lisa on her new role.
Happy 228th Anniversary to the U.S. Public Health Service!
On July 16, 1798, President John Adams signed the "Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen," establishing the U.S. Marine Hospital Service. This marked the beginning of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the USPHS Commissioned Corps we know today. Commissioned Corps officers continue to stand on the frontlines, ready to provide essential health care services during global and national public health emergencies. They offer everyday care and support for underserved and vulnerable populations most in need.
The IHS is proud to be home to the largest number of USPHS Commissioned Corps officers serving across the federal government. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Colville Reservation Honors Mel Tonasket on His Retirement
On July 9, federal, Tribal, and state leaders attended the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation’s retirement celebration for Mel Tonasket. First elected to the Colville Tribal Council in 1970, Tonasket has a distinguished body of service to his Tribe and others throughout Indian Country. During the event, IHS Portland Area Director Rear. Adm. Marcus Martinez read a letter from Secretary Kennedy congratulating Tonasket on his retirement. The Tribe also revealed a remembrance coin celebrating Tonasket’s more than 55-year career and his leadership efforts of saving the Colville Tribes from termination. The IHS thanks Mr. Tonasket for his years of collaborative work to improve health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native communities and wishes him well in his retirement.
IHS Launches "Our Values: You Decide" Initiative
The IHS is launching a new agency-wide initiative to develop shared values that strengthen how we care for individuals, families, and communities, improve the IHS experience, and advance health outcomes for the 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives we serve. Rather than defining these values from the top down, IHS is inviting every employee, along with Tribal and urban Indian organization partners, to help shape them.
Beginning July 17, employees and partners will receive a brief anonymous survey asking for three to five words or phrases that reflect the values that should guide how we work, lead, and serve. The survey will remain open through July 31, and responses will help create a word cloud identifying common themes that will inform a draft values framework. Watch for the survey in your inbox on July 17. Your voice will help shape the future culture of IHS.
Special Diabetes Program for Indians to Host Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Sessions
The IHS has published a Dear Tribal Leader and Urban Indian Organization Leader letter to initiate Tribal consultation and urban confer on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians funding. The consultation and confer comment period will remain open through August 12. Following the closure of the consultation and confer period, the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee will review the national input and develop recommendations for the IHS chief of staff, who will then issue a follow-up letter announcing the final decisions.
Free Patient Incentives for HIV/HCV/STI Testing
Through funding made available from the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative and the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund, IHS is making $10 Visa gift cards available as incentives to encourage community members to receive HIV/HCV/STI testing. Any IHS, Tribal, or urban Indian health program interested in receiving the gift cards can request them from the IHS HIV/HCV/STI branch by emailing Andrew.Yu@ihs.gov.
2026 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) National Conference
On June 25–27, staff members of the headquarters Office of Human Resources, along with a staff member from the Division of Nursing Services and three U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers, recruited at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team had the opportunity to meet with several potential candidates who recently submitted applications for positions within the IHS.
Clinical Dementia Training Series Webinars – July 31
Join us in July for the Clinical Dementia Nurse Training Series. This new Clinical Dementia Training Series offers practical, skills-focused webinars with tools to strengthen your practice and continuing education credits for nurses. Register today.
Cultural Dementia Care Panel Social Media Assets – July 31
Health care professionals play an essential role in delivering culturally responsive dementia care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Join this interactive panel discussion to hear Native clinicians share real-world perspectives, practical strategies, and lived expertise for providing culturally grounded dementia care. Register today!
Tribal Self-Governance Cooperative Agreements – Deadline August 3
The IHS Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs is still accepting applications for fiscal year 2026 Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements, a competitive grant program for federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations.
- The Planning Cooperative Agreement assists Tribes with the planning phase of the Tribal Self-Governance Program, which includes legal and budgetary research, internal Tribal government planning, and organizational preparation related to the administration of health care programs.
- The Negotiation Cooperative Agreement assists Tribes in defraying the costs associated with preparing for and conducting self-governance program negotiations. Negotiations provide an opportunity for Tribal and federal negotiation teams to work together in good faith to enhance each self-governance agreement.
The application deadline for both agreements is August 3. For more information, contact IHS Policy Analyst Kenneth Coriz.
Notice of Funding Opportunity to Address Dementia – Deadline September 4
The 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity is open for the Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: CAReS Program. This opportunity supports stronger, culturally responsive dementia care across the country. Applicants may apply for one of two funding tracks. Option A offers up to $750,000 in the first year to one awardee to expand dementia care through mini-projects, training, and technical assistance. Option B offers up to $300,000 in the first year to one awardee to develop a caregiver support and training center.
Federally recognized Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and qualified nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply by September 4.
OCPS to Host National Combined Councils: September 9-10
The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services will host the 2026 National Combined Councils meeting on September 9-10. Members of the National Combined Councils and IHS, Tribal, and urban personnel are invited to participate to engage in thought-provoking, innovative, cross-council discussions about health issues across Indian Country. For questions, contact HQOCPSNCCPlanning@ihs.gov or call (240) 504-1085.
Register here:
- September 9 — IHS National Combined Councils Meeting - Day One
- September 10 — IHS National Combined Councils Meeting - Day Two
Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series
The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following webinar for health care providers:
- Telehealth Webinar Series: "Ethical Issues in the Prescription of Mental Health Medications for Non-Prescribers” on July 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Webinar Series: "Genetic Disorders Affecting Cognition and Behavior in Childhoods” on July 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- Telehealth Webinar Series: "Trauma and Emotional Identification and Regulation” on August 4 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- Telehealth Webinar Series: "Medications for Trauma Related Disorders” on August 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- Program Sustainability Webinar Series: "Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainability” on August 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
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