Missouri Breaks Industries is a small Indian-owned management firm located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. It is centrally located and primarily works and employs people from a Federal Labor Surplus area – specifically the Federal Indian Reservations of North and South Dakota. Missouri Breaks industries is qualified under 48 CFR 3-380.5 as a “Buy Indian” business to conduct research of medical problems and to disseminate information learned through its research to healthcare providers, tribal leaders, and community members.

It is the mission of Missouri Breaks Industries to promote research as a tool that will create the opportunity for communities and individuals to choose a healthier quality of life through support, personal involvement, education, self-disclosure, and connectedness to rural, tribal, scientific, medical, and psychological communities at large.

Whenever possible, MBIRI personnel collaborate and assist medical staff from the Tribal, Indian Health Services, private facilities and State Health Departments. Medical staff serving in the areas of projects conducted by MBIRI is briefed frequently regarding the activities of MBIRI personnel. MBIRI staff participate in local and regional community health fairs including School Health Fairs, South Dakota Nurses Association Conference - Presentation of The Strong Heart Study, and numerous Tribal Health Fairs, and also assisted with the organization of health caregivers during the Oglala, SD Tornado in August 1999.

The MBIRI staff meets routinely with the Tribal Councils, and their health committees to present health issues, the reasons for research, and to promote them as partners in guiding the goals and objectives for future health research and delivery. Resolutions of support are sought from the Tribal Councils prior to any projects taking place.

In order to promote health research, MBIRI has an agreement with the Presentation Nursing College, which has satellite facilities, or outreach programs, at both Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge Reservations, to mentor nursing students in the importance and the opportunities of research on the reservations and rural communities.