A Report from National Indian Health Board
20th Annual Consumer Conference
St. Paul, Minnesota
September 29 - October 2, 2003

By Kara Thompson
Communications Coordinator
NN/LM Greater Midwest Region

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) 20th Annual Consumer Conference was held in St. Paul, Minnesota last fall. The overarching theme behind the conference was the push for more self-governance and governmental cooperation in creating local health care facilities. Many of the speakers encouraged not only a push for physical facilities, but also for a community based organizational model for health promotion and ways to enable community members to find out more about their health.

IHS Director Dr. Charles Grim addresses
the conference (Photo courtesy of NIHB)

The major theme of the conference concerned the health disparities that exist in Indian Country. Researchers, government policy makers, providers and AAIP members who have worked for the elimination of health disparities in Indian country were invited to share their expertise and findings.
Julia Davis-Wheeler, chairperson of the NIHB Board of Directors, opened the meeting with a welcome and a story about a minister she met while vacationing in Hawaii. The minister spoke about his beliefs on how people can impact their communities, and summarized his views in three points:

1. Be a believer, if you believe in what you are promoting, proclaim it.
2. Be a door opener, invite others to share.
3. Be a decision maker, don’t waffle.