Indigenous communities have long faced health inequities and barriers across our state. For this reason, Blue Cross is investing in solutions by working to support the health and wellness of Indigenous communities.
“Our commitment to advancing racial and health equity is more than just symbolic,” Bukata Hayes, vice president of racial and health equity and chief equity officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, says. “This starts with understanding the root causes of health inequities in Indigenous communities.” Here are some of the ways Blue Cross is partnering with organizations to support Indigenous communities:
Native American Community Clinic
Blue Cross is committed to making sure everyone has equitable access to quality healthcare. Through the Equitable Care and Coverage Program, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation supports the Native American Community Clinic (NACC). Located in the Twin Cities, the NACC works to address the systemic health disparities within the Native American community, and provide care services rooted in health and tradition.
Lower Sioux Indian Community
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Center for Prevention directly supports the Lower Sioux Indian Community, which is seeking to improve the health of community members. The community offers a health clinic, youth and recreation programs, and financial assistance options for education among other programs that benefit the community.
Grandma’s House
Developed by Fond Du Lac Tribal College and directly supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, Grandma’s House is an Ojibwe immersion childcare center in the Twin Cities. The organization offers an Ojibwe language curriculum for community members of all ages run by tribal parents and elders.
Indigenous Food Network
Led by Dream of Wild Health and in partnership with local Indigenous organizations, the Center for Prevention supports the Indigenous Food Network (IFN), which works to expand access to healthy, Indigenous foods.