Presidential task force for protecting Native children in IHS takes first steps

The Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native Children was created in response to the case of Stanley Patrick Weber, a predatory former IHS pediatrician convicted of the sexual assault of Native boys. Weber left the agency in 2016 and is currently serving a prison sentence.

The Inaugural Meeting

On April 4, the Task Force convened its first meeting to examine the institutional and systemic problems that failed to prevent predatory abuse. According to a White House report, the meeting focused on mission goals and seeking the perspectives of Native American leaders on the IHS system.

The task force met with Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James Floyd, who brought 28 years of federal service experience to the discussion. The group also heard from Dr. Mark Butterbrodt, a former pediatrician at the Pine Ridge reservation, and Inspector Curt Muller from the Office of the Inspector General for Health and Human Services.

Social Media Archive – April 4, 2019: "Today in Tulsa, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James Floyd met w/ the Presidential Task Force Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System & other officials supporting the effort." — U.S. Attorney Trent Shores

Focus on Recruitment and Cultural Relevancy

The Task Force discussed several critical issues regarding the healthcare system in Indian Country, including:

• Recruitment and retention of quality healthcare providers.
• Strengthening relationships between federal, state, local, and tribal authorities.
• Ensuring all procedures remain mindful of cultural relevancy

Task Force Membership

The multidisciplinary team includes:

• Joseph Grogan, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy (Co-Chair)
• Trent Shores, United States Attorney (Co-Chair)
• Bo Leach, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, BIA Office of Justice Services
• Stephanie Knapp, Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer, FBI
• Shannon Bears Cozzoni, Tribal Liaison and Assistant U.S. Attorney
• Caitlin A. Hall, MD, Clinical Director, Dzilth-na-o-dith-hle Health Center (IHS)
• Farnoosh Faezi-Marian, Program Examiner, Office of Management and Budget

A Solution-Oriented Mission

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores emphasized that the mission is a "common sense" effort to fix systemic breakdowns. Following the meeting, Shores noted that discussions with Dr. Mark Butterbrodt centered on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for improved child abuse reporting.

"Protecting Native American children who enter the Indian Health Service system is a righteous cause," Shores told Indian Country Today. "The Task Force will take an open, honest look into how the abuse of children was allowed to continue and look for policy and procedures to create effective reporting systems and mitigate the risk posed to children."

The Task Force's ultimate goal is to provide the President with frank answers regarding the breakdowns at facilities specifically in Blackfeet and Pine Ridge. Over the coming months, members will travel to these locations to speak with IHS employees and tribal leaders to gather facts and formalize recommendations.