Office of Tribal Government Relations
Webcasts & Videos
Borne the Battle Podcast
In Episode 64: Benefits Breakdown, OTGR Director Stephanie Birdwell talks about how her office works with tribal governments, how these partnerships help deliver benefits to Native Veterans, and the nuances of these benefits as it relates to Native Veterans (such as VA home loan for property on tribal land).
The National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda Rollout
The Department of Health and Human Services and the National Indian Health Board announce the release of the first collaborative tribal-federal blueprint to improve the behavioral health of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Working with Tribal Governments to Serve Veterans in Indian Country
On March 25, 2014 in collaborations with VHA, CBO, and IHS OTGR hosted the webcast VA Working with the Indian Health Service and Tribal Governments to Serve Veterans in Indian Country that featured subject matter experts across Indian Country who will discussed in-depth, “How to establish Reimbursement Agreements between the VA and Tribal Health Programs.”
Visit our Explore Veterans Resources page for a list of helpful videos about VA programs and services.
About VA’s Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR)
The OTGR team works to strengthen and build closer relations between the VA, tribal governments and other key federal, state, private and non-profit partners in an effort to effectively and respectfully serve Veterans across Indian Country. Read more »
Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Scott Blackburn visits TaosPueblo
Arriving in a Blackhawk helicopter Friday afternoon April 21, 2017, the Interim Deputy Secretary for U.S. Veterans Affairs, Scott Blackburn, met Taos Pueblo Gov. Ruben A. Romero, tribal officials, and veterans from the area during an Intergovernmental Site Visit and Cultural Tour.
Navajo Code Talker Thomas Begay
Earlier this year, The American Veteran had the opportunity to sit down Marine Corps Veteran Thomas Begay at his childhood home in New Mexico. The Battle of Iwo Jima Veteran spoke of his experiences joining the classified Navajo Code Talker program during World War II.
93-year old World War II Marine Veteran and code talker Thomas Begay sings the U.S. Marine Corps hymn in Navajo. Happy 242nd birthday, Marines!
