D070 Addressing Inequities in the Quality of Life of Native Peoples
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the General Convention directs the Office of Government Relations to advocate for legislation, funding, and services which address the inequities in healthcare, housing, nutrition, and education affecting the quality of life of Native Peoples; and be it further,
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church also seeks to address the issue that American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians also face much higher rates of poverty, incarceration, and unemployment than the total population; and be it further,
Resolved, That congregations and dioceses educate themselves on the inequities and engage in local and state advocacy,
Explanation
The Episcopal Church recognizes that Native People live in some of the poorest counties in the United States experiencing increasing disparities in income, economic security, health and healthcare, mental health services, and quality of life. The Episcopal Church also recognizes that there are steep divisions between the health of American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians and other Americans. They have lower life expectancies and lose more years of productive life. They have the nation’s highest rates of death to suicide. High rates of death to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and accidents continue to disproportionately affect American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.