The cuts also eliminate the tribal public health liaison, who is responsible for representing tribal interests on state public health boards and educating tribal communities on disease prevention and management. In relation to the state’s total population, tribal members have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and heavy drinking.
The four tribes have been included in statewide public health initiatives since 2011. With the elimination of the liaison position, the four tribal health districts are the now the only health districts in the state without such a liaison. Though the positions were state funded, they were technically employees of the tribal district.
“This is one of the only areas where we receive any state funding,” said Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. “We don’t have this big fiduciary relationship with the state. This was really one area where we felt we could put all the politics aside. We could find a way forward in what we see as a top priority and one of the most important issues facing the tribes.”
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