By the authority of the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST), the Midwest Area Tribal Health Board (the Board) was established by MAST Resolution 1-11 on January 5, 2011 (rescinded on October 30, 2012, with the adoption of by-laws). The name of the Midwest Area Tribal Health Board was changed to Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board (GLATHB) by Board vote on April 7, 2016 and approved by MAST Resolution 005-16 on April 27, 2016.
The Great Lakes area has been the most underfunded of all Indian Health Service areas. The Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board represents Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Urban centers in addressing Native health disparities and public health concerns in our area by working with local, state, federal, and Tribal entities.
The Center for Disease Control has awarded a comprehensive approach to Good Health & Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) grant in 2015. The GHWIC grant was awarded to the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center for the initiative. GHWIC also funds the promotion of the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board. Health Boards are a critical way of addressing the health needs in Indian Country, and the rise of the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board will empower communities through culturally congruent approaches that focus on sustaining a holistic health view. All tribal communities in the Midwest region will benefit from this funding and efforts. The Board will assist American Indian communities in all three states and Urbans in addressing health disparities and ultimately preventing chronic disease.