Michigan’s Office of Tribal Government Services and Policy is expanding to further offer support and advocacy for Michigan’s federally recognized tribes. There are 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan, each a sovereign government with its own governing structure, culture, traditions, laws, regulations, and policies. State government shares a responsibility with tribes to provide for and protect the health, safety, and welfare of shared citizens.
The Office of Tribal Government Services and Policy:
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- The office is housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
- It works with tribal governments, their citizens, and other residents to address specific issues and ensure equity in the services DHHS provides.
- Under the expansion, the office will grow from one to four staff members.
New initiatives
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- Resume a workgroup with tribal governments to collaboratively build a waiver application for permission to provide Medicaid reimbursement for certain traditional Native American healing practices.
- Begin a workgroup to help ensure compliance with federal requirements on how to count or exclude cultural or other tribal incomes in the determination of eligibility and calculation of benefits provided by DHHS.
- Serve on and support the Michigan Attorney General’s Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force and provide comprehensive information and resources to victims and families at their request.
