Gila River governor challenges federal policies at self-governance conference

Gila River Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis marked the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act by emphasizing tribes’ political status and treaty rights during a panel hosted by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 8. Tribal leaders discussed self-governance in health care, food sovereignty and artificial intelligence. Many voiced concern over federal policy shifts and AI use in Native health systems.