A Law That Changed Everything Fifty years ago, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) marked a monumental turning point in federal Indian policy. Prior to its passage in 1975, U.S. policy was dominated by assimilation, relocation, and...
Native Communities are Rural America From the Desk of Chief Melanie Benjamin
As concerns continue to rise about the future of rural America—its economy, healthcare access, housing availability, and job opportunities, a critical truth remains too often overlooked: Native American communities are not just a part of rural America. In many places,...
Beyond the Data: Pros and Cons of the Compensation Study and Compensation Survey for Tribal Organizations
From the Desk of Dustin Haverkamp: In an increasingly competitive and complex labor market, Tribal governments and enterprises must ensure their compensation practices are fair, competitive, and aligned with long-term strategic goals. However, determining where your...
New Summits to Climb: How Tribal Healthcare Can be the Next Economic Peak for Indian Country
For decades, Tribal Nations have climbed the summit of economic sovereignty, trailblazing through challenges with resilience and vision. One of the greatest peaks conquered was the rise of Tribal Gaming. With the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in...
What’s in Your Capital Stack?: Funding Your Projects
“The federal-dependency model is terminally ill, and no amount of political optimism willresurrect it. Tribes can either design their economic future or have it designed for them.”— Joe Nayquonabe, Chief Strategy Officer, Blue Stone Strategy Partners Carpe Diem “Seize...
The Vital Role of Community Health Assessments
As Tribal communities continue to develop and grow, understanding the health needs of the population is essential for improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through periodic, comprehensive Community Health...
The Value of Clinic Operational Assessments
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing healthcare environment, conducting an operations assessment is helpful for maintaining and enhancing organizational effectiveness. Here’s why it’s important: Identify Improvement Areas: An operations assessment helps identify...
Supreme Court Enforces Reforms in Tribal Healthcare Funding and Support Costs
In a landmark decision on June 6, 2024, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe, requiring the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay eligible Contract Support Costs (CSC) for expenditures of third-party...
Could Your Tribe Benefit from a ISDEAA Section 105(l) Lease?
Since 1975 Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations have faced challenges in arranging for suitable facilities and equipment to operate programs contracted under the Indian Self-Determination Act, PL 93-638. In response, the Indian Self-Determination Act was amended in...
Tribal Public Health Systems Need “Dream Teams” with Specialized Skills
Blue Stone’s Tribal Health Specialist discusses the skills needed to build your Tribe’s “Dream Team” and the components of an effective public health infrastructure.
Solving the $47 Billion Tribal Healthcare Gap
Blue Stone spoke with Jamestown Chairman, Ron Allen on his Plan for a Prosperous Healthcare System for Tribes.
Make Healthcare an Economic Driver
Tribal Nations have the opportunity to leverage their health systems, or expand their health services, to start driving economic development.