Since its inception in 2011, the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board has provided advocacy and support to the Great Lakes Area Tribes and Urban Indian Health Centers. The Bemidji Area has been one of the least funded regions in the nation regarding funding to the regional Indian Health Service and Tribal health centers providing health care to Tribal members. As a result of these disparities, GLATHB has been working to bridge those gaps by seeking proper funding for the region and reducing shortfalls through advocacy by working with federal, state, and local governments.