North American Tasks Forces

 

The perpetuation of the unique languages, cultures and arts of America’s aboriginal peoples has not been actively pursued. As a result, tremendous historical and cultural knowledge has been, and continues to be, in danger of being lost forever. In an effort to impede the cultural, historic, and economic erosion and promote Indian art, history, and languages, the NATF has designed and will actively manage several programs that are committed to perpetuating the cultural and creative visions of America’s indigenous peoples.

 

Currently seeking a position in the “Chairman’s Circle” of the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, an organization established in 1962 to extend the cultural aspects of Indian life and is committed to projects which accurately depict and promote the rich heritage and culture of Native American Indians and Alaska Natives, the NATF, to support and promote the survival and continuing vitality of Native American culture and languages and working with support from the Administration for Native Americans, will (beginning in 2015) implement Native Language Preservation/Maintenance Programs to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native American Pacific Islanders, including American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

The Native Language Preservation and Maintenance Program also supports efforts of assessments of the status of the Native Languages in an established community, as well as the planning, designing, and implementation of Native Language Curriculum and Education Projects and Programs to support a community’s language and cultural preservation goals.

 

Health care is another area that is lacking in resources and support. According to reports from the Director of the Federal Indian Health Service, Yvette Roubideaux, Native American Indians are not getting the health care they need because services for them are vastly underfunded despite significant gains in recent years. The Health Service disparities, the lack of Health Care Providers, the lack of updated facilities, the delays in providing care – all seem to fundamentally result from the lack of resources available to meet and address these needs.

 

The NATF’s Native American Cultural Preservation Program will work with the Federal Indian Health Service in an effort to provide the resources and support to meet and address these needs and concerns.