By Charlene Nijmeh, Tribal Chairwoman
The Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council decided to endorse Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a presidential candidate in 2024, for which we received criticism from many of the Democrat-aligned tribal governments in California. While they played partisan politics and bent the knee to California Democrats, we stood for RFK Jr.’s integrity, values, and his commitment to improving the lives of our children.
Back then, I said the only way to predict what someone will do in the future is to look at what they’ve already done in the past. So when I looked at RFK Jr.’s decades of service in Indian Country, I was certain this man’s promises were something we could believe in and fight for. So far, he hasn’t disappointed me.
We stood firmly behind our decision back then. Our stance is even firmer now.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. didn’t become Secretary of Health and Human Services to kowtow to pharma lobbyists or a bureaucracy that’s been captured by special interests who put their profit margins before the health and well-being of the American people.
As promised, Kennedy has brought a fresh, proactive approach to the department, emphasizing preventive measures, scientific integrity, and addressing root causes of chronic illnesses. His ambitious reforms aimed at revitalizing American health are built on his commitment to challenging entrenched interests in favor of evidence-based gold standard science.
Our nation’s epidemic of childhood chronic diseases, such as obesity, autism, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, demands bold leadership. Kennedy takes a multifaceted approach including defining ultra-processed foods, implementing front-of-package labeling to guide consumer choices, closing regulatory loopholes like the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process for food additives, updating water quality and infant formula standards, and enhancing food quality in public institutions like schools, hospitals, and the military.
By prioritizing voluntary industry commitments, cultural messaging campaigns, and federal studies rather than heavy-handed regulations, Kennedy aims to foster collaboration and innovation while addressing environmental contributors like pesticides through increased EPA reviews and awareness efforts. For instance, promoting full-fat dairy, incentivizing breastfeeding via SNAP grocery boxes, and deregulating local meat and dairy sales encourage access to nutrient-dense foods, countering the dominance of processed alternatives.
The goal is to end the childhood chronic disease crisis by transforming public health into a proactive, nutrition-centered model that empowers families and communities. Aspirations include reducing overmedication in children, boosting physical activity through revived programs like the Presidential Fitness Test, and ultimately creating a healthier, more resilient generation, leading to lower healthcare costs and improved quality of life for all Americans.
In his first seven weeks, Kennedy spearheaded a bold reorganization of HHS, including the elimination of redundant divisions, strategic staff reallocations, and a focus on streamlining operations to prioritize core public health functions. This involved reducing bureaucracy by about 10% of the workforce and shifting resources toward high-impact areas like chronic disease prevention and nutrition initiatives. By reorienting the department toward greater effectiveness and efficiency, these changes aim to eliminate resistance from entrenched interests and realign efforts with evidence-based outcomes.
These reforms aspire to create a leaner, more agile HHS that can “do more with less,” delivering better health outcomes for Americans by focusing on preventive strategies and innovation. His vision is a department that truly serves the public, fostering a culture of accountability ultimately leading to a healthier nation with reduced dependency on reactive healthcare.
Kennedy has emphasized modernizing the vaccine schedule, improving injury reporting systems like the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and establishing a dedicated vaccine injury research program at the NIH Clinical Center. He has committed to maintaining access to vaccines for those who choose them while promoting transparent science through public meetings and dockets.
Restoring and enhancing public confidence in vaccines by prioritizing safety, choice, and scientific freedom is vitally important. By encouraging dialogue and research, Kennedy aims to prevent adverse events, support affected individuals, and integrate vaccines into a broader preventive health framework, ultimately contributing to a society where medical decisions are informed and voluntary, leading to better overall health metrics.
Mr. Kennedy is also working at improving dietary standards nationwide and particularly for underserved groups like Native Americans. Aspirations include healthier school meals, reduced obesity rates, and a food system that prioritizes safety and nutrition, fostering long-term public health gains and economic benefits through decreased medical spending.
Kennedy made us a commitment to tackle America’s health crisis head-on, and that is exactly what he’s doing. And so, when I see politicians attacking him and demanding his resignation, I wonder why we elect people who are so willing to sacrifice our children’s health for campaign donations? We the people need to do a better job choosing our leaders. Leaders who will stand up for us and who will fight for us. Secretary Kennedy is standing up for us like he promised and I for one will stand up for him.
Charlene C. Nijmeh is the chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, which is aboriginal to the San Francisco Bay Area. The Tribe was previously recognized as the Verona Band of Alameda County and has never been terminated by an act of Congress. In 1978, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs first drafted its first official list of recognized tribes, it erred in omitting the Muwekma Ohlone from that list. The tribe has been in a decades -ong struggle ever since to get the federal government to acknowledge its error.
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