Established in 1986, Great Plains Tribal Health serves and represents 18 tribal nations and communities across South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. The organization works to strengthen tribal sovereignty and improve the health of American Indian people through public health leadership, advocacy, and tribally driven partnerships.
Great Plains Tribal Health serves as a liaison between Great Plains tribes and federal partners within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service. This work focuses on reducing public health disparities, improving access to care, and supporting long term wellness for relatives and families.
Community Health
The organization provides public health support, health care advocacy, and technical assistance to tribal nations. Efforts include supporting tribal consultation with federal agencies, improving the distribution of health resources, and advancing tribal priorities at state, regional, and national levels. Great Plains Tribal Health also provides policy analysis and supports tribal leaders in Congressional and Executive Branch advocacy related to Indian health care.
Oyate Health Center
Great Plains Tribal Health operates Oyate Health Center, a tribally governed health system in Rapid City, providing comprehensive, culturally grounded care.
Who We Are
Our Purpose
To advance the health and sovereignty of Great Plains tribal nations through culturally grounded care and advocacy.
Our Mission
Advancing excellence in tribal health through culturally guided service, innovation, and advocacy.
Our Vision
All tribal nations and citizens thrive in wellness.
Our Values
- Prayer: We seek the guidance and wisdom of the Creator in our service to others.
- Respect: We honor the people we serve by treating them with dignity.
- Generosity: We seek to serve with selflessness and a giving heart.
- Truth: We seek to act with honesty and integrity, earning the trust of those we work with and serve.
- Fortitude: We build upon the strength and courage of our ancestors to improve healthcare for future generations.
- Compassion: We seek to bring kindness, understanding, and love to those we serve.
- Humility: We humbly commit to a path of learning and growth.
Operational Principles
- Relationships between the relative, family, and provider are fostered and supported
- Emphasis on relatives achieving optimal wellness through the embrace of culture and holistic healing practices
- Locations of services are determined for the benefit of relatives
- Access to services is optimized for relatives.
- Together we collaborate with relatives to achieve optimal wellness
- Improve the quality and sustainability of services by continuously evaluating outcomes and process measures.
- Values of Great Plains Tribal Health including prayer, respect, generosity, truth, fortitude, compassion, and humility are intentionally designed into all systems and services
- Equitable and simple to use services that maximize coordination and minimize duplication
- Strength and courage of ancestors and relatives to share lessons that drive the design and delivery of services
