THACKERVILLE, Okla. – The Inter-Tribal Council (ITC) of the Five Civilized Tribes passed a resolution to advance the name and support of Rear Adm. Travis Watts for Director of the Indian Health Service at its quarterly meeting April 11 at WinStar World Casino and Resort.
“The Indian Health Service provides public health, preventative, curative, and community health care to more than 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in hospitals, clinics, and other health settings throughout Indian Country,” the resolution reads. Watts worked in the early 1990s as a clinical pharmacist for IHS, which began his career with the organization.
A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Watts has earned numerous awards for his service to Indian Health Service, including the USPHS Outstanding and Distinguished Service Medals, the USPHS Allen J. Brands - Clinical Pharmacist of the Year Award and multiple IHS Director’s Awards.
The resolution said, “...under his tenure as Area Director, the Oklahoma City Area maintains among the lowest vacancy rates in the Indian Health Service, has reduced unobligated fund balances, provides high quality health services, and fosters exceptional partnerships with the Tribes of the Area...”
Watts has regularly attended ITC meetings as Director of the Oklahoma City Area IHS.
The resolution says the ITC believes Watts “is a dedicated Indian leader and has exceptional experience and ability to deliver quality healthcare to Indian Country.”
The ITC passed seven resolutions at its quarterly meeting, including:
- Resolution 25-01 – A resolution opposing the elimination of the Oklahoma Forestry Services and affirming tribal support for collaborative wildfire response and land stewardship
- Resolution 25-02 – A resolution urging Auburn University to remedy the deplorable duty of care conditions in which Auburn stores ancestors, and further to respect native traditional kinship systems
- Resolution 25-03 – A resolution supporting the continuation of the HUD 184 program
- Resolution 25-04 – A resolution in support of the extension of advanced premium tax credits
- Resolution 25-05 – A resolution to advance the name and support of RADM Travis Watts for director of the Indian Health Service
- Resolution 25-06 – A resolution supporting the passage of the North American Grasslands Conservation Act
- Resolution 25-07 – A resolution urging the federal government of the United States not to terminate the lease of the Southeast Regional Archeological Center (SEAC) in Tallahassee, Florida
The next ITC meeting will be hosted by the Muscogee Nation July 9-11 at River Spirit Hotel & Casino, Tulsa.