Former Sault tribe chairperson Aaron Payment joins National Indian Health Board
SAULT STE. MARIE — Following his departure from the Sault Tribe Board of Directors, Aaron Payment has joined the National Indian Health Board (NIHB).
Payment was the chairperson of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians for over 14 years and a tribal council member for eight years before his departure in May.
Payment also served in the National Congress of American Indians Midwest Regional as vice president for two terms.
On June 14, Payment joined NIHB, a nonprofit organization that provides services to Native American tribes and tribal organizations. The purpose of NIHB is to provide a Native American perspective while monitoring federal legislation and raising awareness for health care issues.
NIHB is based on Capitol Hill and provides training programs, legislative tracking, research on native health issues and other services in advocating for better health services for all Native American tribes.
As director of government relations, Payment will oversee congressional and federal relations and advocacy. Payment will also be overseeing budget and policy with the hope to advance the tribal health agenda.
In an email to the Saultt Evening News, Payment said "I am so grateful for Sault Tribe voters who returned me to office in 2020 with a record percentage margin for Tribal Chairperson elections. It was personally difficult to make the change. But, I promise to use my new role to secure even greater health benefits to the Sault Tribe, Bay Mills Indian Community and all Tribal Nations. It is a honor to be granted this opportunity."
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More: Sault tribal chair censured amid financial oversight dispute
More: Payment resigns as chair of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Payment resigned from the Sault Tribe Board of Directors after the board censured him and stated they had no confidence in him. The board claimed that Payment violated his duty to create an environment that fosters respect and dignity and to maintain an environment free of harassment and that he intimidated, harassed, and publicly attacked employees, continually committed malicious public attacks upon tribal members and violated the medical privacy procedures of an individual.
Payment continues to serve on the National Advisory Council of Indian Education, including serving as co-chair of the NACIE Annual Report Committee after his resignation as chairperson.
Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Payment joins NIHB as director of government relations
