The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations convened on February 26, 2025, for the American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day, focusing on critical issues affecting tribal communities. The afternoon session featured testimony from Virgil Wind, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, who articulated pressing concerns regarding health disparities, funding needs, and the federal government's treaty obligations to Native American tribes.

Wind emphasized the dire health conditions faced by Native Americans, noting that life expectancy for Native American males is significantly lower than that of their non-Native counterparts—65.2 years compared to 76.4 years. He described this gap as a preventable tragedy, urging Congress to take immediate action to improve health outcomes for tribal members. He called for full funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Services, framing these requests not merely as budgetary needs but as a matter of life and death for his people.

The testimony highlighted the stark contrast in federal spending, revealing that the government allocates nearly twice as much for the healthcare of incarcerated individuals compared to Native Americans. Wind pointed out that the Great Lakes IHS region, which serves his community, is the lowest funded in the country, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment in health services.

Wind also addressed the need for advanced appropriations for Indian Health Services to ensure stability in healthcare delivery, as delays in budget approvals can disrupt essential services. He advocated for increased funding for tribal law enforcement, noting that the Mille Lacs tribal police receive less than 3% of their budget from the Department of Interior, which hampers their ability to combat crime effectively.

Additionally, Wind supported funding requests for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, emphasizing the importance of protecting treaty rights related to fishing, hunting, and gathering. He urged Congress to ensure that the Treasury's Office of Tribal and Native Affairs continues to receive funding to facilitate access to federal resources for tribal nations.

The session concluded with acknowledgments from committee members, including Congresswoman McCollum, who expressed gratitude for the testimony and highlighted the collaborative efforts between tribes and government to address these critical issues. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities and the need for sustained federal support to honor treaty obligations and improve the quality of life for tribal members.