The PAN Foundation celebrates Native American Heritage Month

First celebrated as a single day in 1916, Native American Heritage Month was approved in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

November is now recognized as a time to acknowledge the cultures, contributions, and histories of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, the first people to live on the land that is now the United States.

At PAN, we acknowledge the history of oppression and forced assimilation that has contributed to unique health disparities in the Native American and Alaskan Native communities. We’ve collected a list of key health organizations that serve these diverse, indigenous communities.

Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service is an agency under the Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. According to the IHS, the agency provides “a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states.”

Indian Health Service – Urban Indian Health Program
The IHS Urban Indian Health Program works with 41 Urban Indian Organizations to provide access to health care and culturally appropriate services.

National Council of Urban Indian Health
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is a resource center for individuals and organizations dedicated to improving the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Minority Health: American Indians/Alaska Natives
The Office of Minority Health works to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs designed to help eliminate health disparities.

National Indian Council on Aging, Inc.
The National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. (NICOA) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for improved comprehensive health, social services, and economic well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native elders.