To: President Donald Trump
American Indian Student Loan Forgiven a Treaty fulfillment
There are too few American Indian physicians, nurses, psychologists, health educators to meet the needs of our tribes. American Indian candidates are reluctant to take on lifelong debts and the tribes face workforce disparities. Federal Loan forgiveness would reward successful completion of rigorous training programs and reduce the financial burden for tribal and Urban Indian personnel. The need for workforce development and full employment for tribes and planning for the next generation of Health Service providers is now. Higher Education Loan forgiveness would release each American Indian professional with federal loans from their life long debt. Health Disparities are related to gender inequality, low pay, housing, isolated areas for tribal members we are returning home or working with other tribes to improve quality of life and restore wellness.
Why is this important?
I applied for Indian Health Service Scholarships and was told I was the top IHS candidate, but not chosen, because someone changed my year of completion on my application. I asked my congressional member to investigate and was told "he doesn't want to get involved." Indian Health Service personnel admitted they shredded my application. "That's our usual procedures." It did not stop me, I took out student loans and now will spend the rest of my life repaying them. I choose to work for American Indian non-profits and sovereign nations.