CHANDLER, Ariz. — As Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled through tribal communities in Arizona and New Mexico this week to discuss efforts to combat chronic illness among Native American and Alaska Native populations, concern mounted over the quiet dismantling of a key federal health initiative.
Kennedy, who has described tribal health as a top priority, made no public mention of the Healthy Tribes program—a CDC initiative that supported traditional Native medicine and culturally focused wellness programs—despite the fact it was recently gutted as part of sweeping layoffs within the federal health agency.
The move has left tribal leaders across the country dismayed and confused, particularly as Healthy Tribes had long provided crucial support for tackling high rates of diabetes, liver disease, and other chronic illnesses among Native populations. The program, which operated under Kennedy’s agency, distributed approximately $32.5 million annually to tribal partners. Now, many are questioning the federal government’s commitment to its treaty obligations.
“It’s more than a budget cut—it’s a breach of trust,” said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in Washington. “We were told that tribal health was a priority. But what we’re seeing on the ground suggests otherwise.”
Some tribal officials suspect the cuts may be linked to broader efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Healthy Tribes program, established more than a decade ago, had become a model for integrating traditional healing practices with public health strategies.
On April 1, tribal health facilities received notice from the CDC that multiple staff positions tied to Healthy Tribes had been eliminated. According to the American Federation of Government Employees union, at least 11 staffers from the program were let go, as part of more than 30 layoffs across the CDC’s Division of Population Health.
Dr. Julianna Reece, a member of the Navajo Nation and director of the Healthy Tribes program, was among those impacted. An automated reply from her government email stated she was placed on administrative leave and would be formally separated from the agency in June. Attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
Despite Kennedy’s recent engagements—including a community health visit in Phoenix and a moderated panel at the Tribal Self-Governance Conference—tribal leaders say they are struggling to reconcile his words with the administration’s actions.
“What’s missing is clear communication and transparency,” said Onawa Miller of the Quechan Indian Nation, who oversees tribal public health initiatives for United South and Eastern Tribes. “We’ve already received our $2 million in funding, but no one can tell us what happens next or who is still working with us.”
Also Read – Big Bang STEM Expo Announced at Space Museum, Exhibitors Wanted
In Seattle, Healthy Tribes funds support the GATHER program, which weaves traditional plant-based medicines into patient care. The initiative has helped connect Native patients to ancestral practices while addressing modern health needs. But with staff layoffs at the CDC, grantees like the Seattle Indian Health Board say they’re struggling to navigate the path forward.
“If the people managing the funds are gone, how are we supposed to continue these life-saving programs?” asked Esther Lucero, the board’s president and a Navajo descendant.
In Los Angeles, the United American Indian Involvement organization uses Healthy Tribes money to support intergenerational healing programs. CEO Lycia Ortega says the sudden cuts have left many tribes in the dark and scrambling to determine how to preserve the progress they’ve made.
“Every day brings a new surprise,” she said. “And then we’re told, ‘just carry on as if nothing happened.’ That’s not sustainable.”
While the Department of Health and Human Services has remained largely silent on the issue, it did confirm that the Indian Health Service (IHS) has not been affected by this latest round of workforce reductions. Still, tribal leaders point out that IHS funding alone has never been sufficient, making supplemental programs like Healthy Tribes critical to their public health strategies.
Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community, emphasized that tribes are not racial interest groups but sovereign political entities with whom the federal government has a binding legal relationship. He urged Kennedy to honor that distinction and ensure meaningful consultation before making decisions that affect Native nations.
“The government’s trust responsibility to us is not optional,” Lewis said. “It’s a legal and moral obligation that demands accountability.”
As Kennedy continues his tour, tribal leaders remain hopeful that the administration will re-evaluate the recent cuts and restore a program many see as vital to Native health and cultural survival
