Sioux Falls, SD. – South Dakota Urban Indian Health (SDUIH) is receiving an 11-million dollar five-year operating contract from Indian Health Service over the next 5 years to operate clinics in Pierre and Sioux Falls.
The funding is part of a long and crucial partnership that Indian Health Services (I H S) has had with SDUIH. The funding is an Indian Health Service appropriation that is earmarked only for Urban Indian Organizations (UIO’s) and is separate from federal funding that Indian Health Service receives, to fund tribal hospitals and clinics.
Colette Keith, Executive Director for South Dakota Urban Indian Health said, “It is no secret that the road has been bumpy for us here at ‘Urban’ for the past couple of years. The faith that the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service Office and the national I H S Urban Programs office has put in us is nothing to take for granted as we need those funds to provide direct care to tribal members in the Pierre and Sioux Falls area, serving tribal members from all nine tribes in the state”.
More than 70% of all tribal members in South Dakota live away from their home reservations. Although they may access care from other health sources, South Dakota Urban Indian Health is unique in offering tribal and non-tribal members care that is culturally relevant and trauma informed.
For more information, or an interview, please call (605) 339-0420
South Dakota Urban Indian Health promotes equitable care of the mind, body and spirit for all relatives though collective healing and holistic wellness, grounded in Indigenous values
