About the Office of Tribal Affairs

Overview

The NCEH/ATSDR Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA) recognizes the importance of the natural environment to the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people and cultures. For many AI/AN’s, culture and environment are closely connected. Many tribal members still practice subsistence fishing, hunting and gathering. Ceremonies and prayers convey gratitude and deference to the land, air and water elements. Together, nature and culture provide AI/AN communities and tribal members a unique identity and contribute to their physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Today, tribal nations face many challenges in balancing the earth’s environment and natural resources with opportunities for economic development. The OTA works with AI/AN populations to identify and evaluate environmental health concerns and empower individual tribes to make informed decisions that benefit their people and their communities. To achieve these goals, OTA

• develops and implements policies that provide greater access to NCEH/ATSDR services;
• promotes and supports the government-to-government trust relationship between NCEH/ATSDR and AI/AN tribes;
• builds relationships with AI/AN tribes, federal/state/local agencies, national tribal organizations and others;
• provides education and training opportunities to develop environmental health knowledge and skills within tribal communities; and
• Increases awareness of environmental health priorities in Indian Country

Contact Information

Please send requests and suggestions for additional information and resources to:

Annabelle Allison, Lead Public Health Scientist/Tribal Liaison
4770 Buford Hwy
Mailstop F-61
Atlanta, GA 30341
Email: AAllison@cdc.gov
Phone: 770-488-3991 or 770-488-0680