Tribal Public Health

On this page:

Vision:

The vision of the Tribal Public Health Unit is to improve the overall health status of the Maine Tribes and American Indian & Alaska Native (AL/AN) populations in our service areas.   

Mission:

The Mission of the Tribal Health District Unit is to collaborate and provide public health infrastructure by responding to the Native American people’s needs by:

  • Ensuring the effective delivery of the Ten Essential Public Health services through respect of the people and culture.
  • Focusing  on health issues by providing health promotion, prevention, and education.
  • Collaborating, creating and sustaining partnerships with federal, state and local entities.
  • Promoting tribal-wide collaboration in public health assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluations.

A Brief Collective History of Maine Tribes 

Collectively, the four Native tribes of Maine, the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet and Micmac tribes are known as Wabanaki, “People of the Dawn”.   Each of these four federally recognized tribes, consisting of five tribal communities, maintain their own governments, cultural centers and schools, and manage their respective land and resources. Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Maliseets have their own Health Centers, and Micmacs having a service unit through Indian Health Services.  Although most of the Native population of Maine belongs to one of these four tribes, and reside on tribal lands, there are still many who live in towns and cities across the state.

Tribal Health Facilities:

  • Micmac Service Unit, Presque Isle - Aroostook County.
  • Houlton Band of Maliseet Health Department, Littleton - Aroostook County
  • Indian Township Health Center, Indian Township-Washington County
  • Penobscot Nation Health Department, Indian Island- Penobscot County
  • Pleasant Point Health Center, Sipayik –Washington County

Tribal Health Liaisons:

  • The Tribal Liaisons work in partnership with the Tribes, DHHS districts, state public health entities, Tribal Health Directors, and the Division of Local  Public Health. Additionally, the Tribal Liaisons, serve as tribal representatives for Aroostook Public Health District Coordinating Council (DCC), Penquis Public Health District Coordinating Indian Township Health Center, Indian Township Council (DCC) and Downeast Public Health District.
  • Assist with coordinating public health functions at the tribal level and for coordinating districts. 
  • Produce the Quarterly Maine Intertribal Health Newsletter.  
  • Provide educational opportunities to tribal communities in a variety of settings, including groups meetings, and at tribal health fairs on the prevention and management of cardiovascular health and heart health events, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and tobacco abuse.