Human Resources Subcommittee

Report for May 2006

Members

The Human Resources Subcommittee consists of the following:

• Julia Davis-Wheeler, Chairman
• John E. Strombeck, Vice-Chairman
• Brooklyn D. Baptiste, Member
• Robert L. Taylor, Member
• Gary E. Greene, Member
• Joel T. Moffett, Member
• Larry M. Greene, Member

Meeting Dates

The Human Resources Subcommittee meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.  (Open to Tribal members).

Vision

We envision all Nez Perce Tribal members and families healthy, nurtured, safe, educated, and supported by tribal and communities resources.

Goal

• To respect the human dignity of the people we serve and provide effective, quality service to the Nez Perce Tribe and its members.
• To work collaboratively and cooperatively to strengthen families
• To support Tribal programs and staff in carrying out their respective program duties/goals/objectives
• To define a common vision and mission in which the programs, departments, and affiliates can work collaboratively and cooperatively in carrying out their respective goals and objectives on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe and its members
• To represent the Nez Perce Tribe and Tribal programs at the local, regional, and national levels

Description of Services

The Human Resources Subcommittee meets the first and third Monday of each month to review and approve actions from the Human Resources Subcommittee.

The Human Resources Subcommittee provides policy review, formulation, and recommendation to the NPTEC regarding areas which impact the health and well being of the Nez Perce Tribe and its members whether it is at the internal, local, regional  or national level.

Program Components

Social Services, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Education,  Enrollment, Senior Citizens, Commodity Foods, Students for Success, Veterans, BIA Welfare Assistance, Child Protection Services, Financial Assistance, Indian Child Welfare, Victim's Assistance, NMPH, Head Start/Early Head Start, Tribal Employment Rights Office.

Accomplishments

Enrollment:  We have had a few requests for enrollment outside of our plan over the years and continue to receive such requests.  In the Constitutional Convention held in Lapwai, many people discussed enrollment changes.  A draft of options was also resented at the convention.  The HR Subcommittee is committed to working with our Nez Perce tribal members to proceed forward toward an enrollment ordinance that accomplishes the overall progress and goals to sustain a tribe well into the future.

Education Plan:  Funding currently does not meet the needs of students.  As the current chair of HR, I would eventually like to see our tribe head toward meeting all of the unmet need of our students.  This direction will need to be closely guided to budgetary decisions in the future.

Mimiipuu Health:  Over the past year we have experienced many accomplishments which the Nimiipuu Health Board will outline later.  In this year, due to the efforts of past administrations and executive committee members, we have opened a new health facility, brought on a new director, new doctors, new services, and a better approach to the finances of the health clinic, with one goal in mind, to provide the best health care to our patients, however with the accomplishments come growing pains.  The HR Subcommittee has received many complaints regarding Mimiipuu Health.  We have looked into every complaint and NPTEC also passed a full review from Portland IHS to ensure that our clinic is operating in good and/or excellent standing in our financials and scopes of work.

Nez Perce Tribal Scholarships.  We currently awarded for the 2004-05 school year 130 scholarships to the Nez Perce students.  Out of those students, 31 are seeking a two year degree, 88 are seeking a 4 year degree, and 11 are seeking a graduate degree, Master's or higher.  (BIA funds are separate and not factored in as a part of this data.)

Challenge:  Ensuring that all tribal members are aware of the scholarship opportunity,  the deadlines of scholarships, and requirements in order for approval.

U.S. Health and Human Services Indian Health Service.  Our Mission ... to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

Tribal Self Governance Health and Human Services.  Self-Governance is fundamentally designed to provide Tribal governments with more control and decision-making authority over the Federal financial resources provided for the benefit of Indian people.  More importantly, Self-Governance fosters the shaping of a "new partnership" between Indian Tribes and the United States in their government-to-government relationships.  Self-Governance provides, administratively, the opportunity for Tribal governments to exercise their sovereignty with minimal Federal intrusion and involvement.

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