During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the development of a North Dakota Native Veterans Resource Guide, aimed at enhancing awareness of available programs for Native American veterans. Nancy Espinosa presented the guide, highlighting its creation by a Native American scholarship recipient who volunteered with veterans. She emphasized the need for a similar initiative in Utah, noting that Native Americans serve in the military at a rate significantly higher than the national average.

Espinosa pointed out that while Native Americans make up 1.4% of the U.S. population, they represent 1.7% of military personnel. She proposed that Utah's veterans and military affairs guide should include resources specific to Native American veterans, facilitating access to benefits and services both locally and nationally.

The discussion also touched on past efforts to engage Native American veterans, with Mr. Skow recalling a disappointing turnout at a previous event in Cedar City. He suggested that collaboration with tribal veterans service officers could improve outreach. Mr. Hart added that recent initiatives, including participation in a Native American summit and visits to the Navajo Nation, have shown promise, but acknowledged that more work is needed to connect with veterans across Utah.

The committee expressed a commitment to enhancing outreach efforts and ensuring that all veterans, including those from Native American backgrounds, receive the support they deserve. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration and innovative ideas to better serve this community.