The Appellant is the Walker River Paiute Tribe (“Walker River”), and the Appellee is the Area Director, Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (“PAIHS”). This appeal implicates PAIHS’ refusal to approve Walker River’s proposal dated September 19, 2013, for funding to operate a Contract Health Services (“CHS”) program under the auspices of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (“ISDEAA”). PAIHS declined Walker River’s proposal by letter dated December 27, 2013, from Area Director, Dorothy Dupree. Walker River appealed that declination through a letter to the Indian Health Service (“IHS”) submitted by Tribal Chairman Carl Johnson dated January 2, 2014.
