Tribal Consultations

The NIH, through the THRO, holds Tribal consultations at least once-per-year, to ensure meaningful and timely input by Indian Tribes in the development of NIH policies that have Tribal implications, as established through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tribal Consultation Policy (TCP). A consultation occurs when HHS, NIH, or an Indian Tribe identifies an NIH action with substantial direct effects for one or more Indian Tribes. Goals of the TCP include eliminating health and human service disparities of Indians and maximizing their access to health and human services.

THRO ensures that the NIH adheres to the TCP and follows the NIH Guidance on the Implementation of the HHS Tribal Consultation Policy. Since it’s establishment in 2015, THRO has held yearly tribal consultations for input on NIH initiatives that are of interest to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Consultations may be held on issues of NIH proposed research projects, priorities and other activities. THRO prepares summaries of each consultation, may solicit public comments, tracks follow-ups, and reports outcomes.

NIH Data Sharing and Management Policy

NIH met with tribal leaders and participants in multiple locations to hold Tribal consultation on the NIH data sharing and management policy.

NIH Data Sharing and Management Dear Tribal Leader Letter

Data Sharing and Management Consultation Framing Letter

• National Congress of American Indians Webinar: Charting a Path Forwardfor Responsible Data Sharing

  • Date & Time: May 2, 2019, 3:00-4:00 pm ET

  • Event Details: NCAI Webinar Archive

• HHS Regional Consultation (Region 9)

  • Location: Sacramento, CA

  • Date & Time: June 20, 2019, 1:30-3:30 pm PT

• HHS Regional Consultation (Region 10)

  • Location: Spokane, WA

  • Date & Time: July 11, 2019, 1:30-3:30 pm PT

• HHS Regional Consultation (Regions 6, 7, & 8)

  • Location; Denver, CO

  • Date & Time: August 21, 2019, 8:45-10:45 pm PT

Intellectual Property in Biomedical Research
NIH met with tribal leaders and participants in Sparks, NV for a consultation
on Intellectual Property in Biomedical Research.

NIH Intellectual Property Dear Tribal Leader Letter

Intellectual Property Framing Letter

• National Congress of American Indians Webinar: Intellectual Property Rights in Biomedical Research

  • Date & Time: March 19, 2019, 3:00-4:00 pm ET

  • Event Details: NCAI Webinar Archive

• NIH Tribal Consultation Consultation (NCAI Mid Year Conference and Marketplace)

  • Location; Sparks, NV

  • Date & Time: June 24, 2019, 9:00-12:00 pm PT

  • Agenda and Summary, June 2019

NIH 2018 Tribal Consultation on the Opioid Crisis in Indian Country
Representatives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMHSA) held a Tribal consultation/listening session on the Opioid Crisis in Indian Country.

Agenda and Summary, May 2018
Request for Information (RFI), January 25, 2019

NIH 2017 Tribal Consultation on the THRO Strategic Plan
THRO leadership met with tribal leaders and participants in Anchorage, Alaska for a consultation on establishing the first strategic plan (FY 2018-2022) for the THRO at NIH.

Agenda and Summary, June 2017
Request for Information (RFI), February 04, 2018