American Indian and Alaska Native Initiative

American Indian and Alaska Native Worker Initiative

Key points

  • The NIOSH American Indian and Alaska Native Worker initiative provides occupational safety and health support to tribal communities.
  • There are 2.7 million American Indian and Alaska Native workers in the U.S. workforce.
American Indian/Alaska Native construction workers on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Photo by NIOSH

Background

An Indigenous Navajo business owner, standing in a garage workshop.
An Indigenous Navajo business owner. My Sites

In 2013, NIOSH launched the American Indian and Alaska Native Initiative. NIOSH works with tribal communities and other partners to determine how best to provide occupational safety and health support to tribal communities.

The primary goal of the initiative is to build and strengthen tribal occupational safety and health capacity. Activities are coordinated with the CDC's State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce.

As sovereign nations, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes maintain a government-to-government relationship with the United States. There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes across the United States.1 Over 5.4 million American Indian and Alaska Natives live across the United States and 22% live on reservations. 2

Subscribe to get updates‎

Get updates on American Indian and Alaska Native worker safety and health resources, research updates, and news about upcoming events delivered directly to your inbox.
Subscribe
Print
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  1. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-12/pdf/2023-00504.pdf
  2. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2015/cb15-ff22.html