releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3b5b82f9-45dc-4d8e-8882-dc727801f3e1
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3b5b82f9-45dc-4d8e-8882-dc727801f3e1 | Heitkamp Hosts Second Summit to Connect Native Veterans with Top Officials, Resources, Support | 2015-10-13 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | BELCOURT, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today hosted her second Native American Veterans Summit on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian Reservation to connect Native veterans from across the state with top officials, guaranteeing veterans access to resources and support they deserve. Heitkamps Summit at Turtle Mountain Community College provided a venue for Native veterans and local Veterans Service Officers to speak with officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about persisting challenges. Attendees also visited more than a dozen booths to learn about housing programs, ongoing health care initiatives, and other benefits available to veterans. So many Native Americans in our state have proudly served in the military, and its our responsibility to get them the services they deserve especially after they risked their lives protecting our freedom, said Heitkamp. Too often, available support systems are not reaching our Native veterans, which is why bringing top officials into Native communities is so critical. Following last years inaugural Native Veterans Summit in Bismarck, I took what I heard and launched a one-stop-shop webpage with resources and assistance to help Native veterans access services and wrote legislation to help new veterans, especially those living in rural areas. But our work is not done. Meeting brave Native veterans is always a powerful reminder that its my duty to make sure they receive access to the resources and support they selflessly have earned fighting to keep us safe. In June 2014, Heitkamp held her first Native American Veterans Summit at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, bringing together more than 140 Native veterans with officials from the VA, Indian Health Service (IHS), Interior Department, and White House, as well as other advocates who provided resources and guidance. Heitkamp led a full-day discussion with Native veterans on the challenges they encounter and potential solutions. After the Summit, Heitkamp quickly responded to concerns she heard from Native veterans by: Gathering Resources Online to Help Native Veterans After her Summit in Bismarck last year, Heitkamp launched a one-stop-shop webpage to connect Native veterans with information on available benefits and services. The website includes frequently asked questions about benefits and services, online resources and helpful information, as well as contact information for local, regional, and federal services and resources. Introducing Legislation to Support New Veterans Taking what she heard from veterans at the first Summit and from subsequent conversations around the state, Heitkamp introduced a bill to connect new veterans with resources in their communities. The Connect with Veterans Act would make it easier for veterans to find job opportunities, support programs, and opportunities to connect with fellow veterans. Heitkamp has fought to support and pay tribute to Native veterans and their families through her work in the U.S. Senate. To honor the brave North Dakotans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, Heitkamp spent six months this year delivering a series of 15 speeches on the U.S. Senate floor, paying tribute to more than 160 North Dakotans who gave their lives in the conflict, including 10 Native Americans. Heitkamp regularly attends public events with veterans to answer questions and connect them with resources. In 2013, she conducted a six-city tour of the state, holding roundtables with veterans to discuss obstacles they encounter to critical services. Heitkamps efforts to help Native veterans include: Responding to Problems at the VA Heitkamp took immediate action to respond to disgraceful scheduling misconduct at VA facilities nationwide. Heitkamp worked with North Dakota officials to confirm that state VA facilities were not delaying services to veterans, and then worked with Senate colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation addressing the situation. The bill improves access to services, which Heitkamp pushed for in order to help veterans living in rural areas as well as Native American veterans access care more easily. Leading Efforts to Raise Awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Heitkamp called on the VA and U.S. Department of Defense to raise awareness about challenges veterans encounter with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the need to provide support for mental health and traumatic stress, Heitkamp worked to reduce stigmas associated with PTSD as well as encourage private partnerships so employers hire more veterans. Honoring North Dakota Servicemembers who died in Vietnam To honor North Dakotans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, Heitkamp delivered 15 speeches over six months on the U.S. Senate floor, paying tribute to more than 160 North Dakotans who gave their lives in the conflict, including 10 Native Americans. To engage younger generations with our states proud history of military service, she collaborated with Bismarck High School students to gather stories about the fallen heroes. Heitkamp arranged for artifacts the students created honoring fallen Vietnam servicemembers to be displayed in the North Dakota Heritage Centers Native American Hall of Honors. The art display includes artifacts created by Native American students in honor of Native American servicemembers. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |