Rocky Boy woman appointed state American Indian Health director

Staff and wire report

HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock has appointed the head of the Rocky Boy clinic to lead the state’s new Office of American Indian Health.

Mary Lynne Billy-Old Coyote, an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, is being asked to work with tribal governments and urban Indian centers to identify the reasons that the average lifespan of American Indians in Montana is 20 years shorter than non-Indians, and to develop strategies to address state those reasons.

“I am eager to get started to help support and foster quality health care solutions, delivery and partnership for Montana’s Native people,” she said in a press release from the governor’s office. “I look forward to working collaboratively with our state’s Tribal leaders, urban communities to build partnerships that will be vital to our success.”

Officials say American Indians are significantly more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness.

Billy-Old Coyote also will help identify existing state resources that may assist tribes in improving the health of their members.

Billy-Old Coyote has more than 20 years of experience working with American Indian health programs. She also has worked for New West Medicare Health Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Montana State University-Northern, a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix, and is pursuing a health transformation graduate certification from Arizona State University.

She said she was inspired to pursue her professional career and work with tribal nations by her parents, Lloyd and Madeline Billy.

Billy-Old Coyote, who lives in Helena with her husband, Wesley Old Coyote, will start her new job April 11.