Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Supported by funding from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P60MD006909

IWRIs Vision

To support the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to achieve full and complete health and wellness by collaborating in decolonizing research and knowledge building and sharing. To marshal community, tribal, academic, and governmental resources toward innovative, culturecentered, interdisciplinary, collaborative social and behavioral research and education.

IWRIs Mission

The Associate Director of the IWRI-NCoE Tessa Evans-Campbell

By: Leo Egashira, MBA

Associate Professor Tessa Evans-Campbell (Snohomish) is the director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at the UW. She completed a BA in art history at the UW and her MSW and PhD at UCLA. Her research interests focus on historical trauma, child welfare, resistance and healing, cultural buffers of trauma, substance use and mental health, and indigenous family wellness. Tessa began her social work career more than 15 years ago as a childrens social worker in Los Angeles (L.A.) County. She has extensive practice experience in Indian child welfare, adoptions, and community advocacy/ organizing with American Indian communities. She served as a commissioner for the L.A. County Native American Indian Commission and was the American Indian community representative to the L.A. County Childrens Planning Council. She now has the unique opportunity to

blend her passion for clinical social work practice in health, with research. She sits on the local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee and serves on a number of boards and committees related to Native American family wellness. Recently, Tessa was elected to serve her tribe as a member of the Snohomish Tribal Council. IWRIs recent Center of Excellence grant award has led to the establishment of four cores, including a Research Training and Education Core (RTEC) under Tessas direction. The primary objective of the RTEC is to develop a cadre of outstanding American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) scholars involved in research and leadership roles related to improving health status and reducing health disparities among AIAN populations. Tessa is especially passionate about developing pipeline initiatives that prepare AIAN students to pursue higher
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Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

IWRI-NCoE Speaker Series: Antony Stately, PhD

By Meg MacDonald, PhD

Continued from Cover Tessa Evans-Campbell education. Tessa was one of the founding mothers of IWRI in 2007. When we started, IWRI was a small research center that supported several research and training projects that had Native American health concerns in common. If someone had told me that wed end up being a National Center of Excellence with a wide range of projects and support staff, I wouldnt have believed it. We are working on critical issues in Native health and we are able to provide mentorship to indigenous scholars across educational levels. I am profoundly grateful that we now have resources to identify and mentor up-and-coming young scholars to pursue their dreams. Currently, Tessa is the Principal Investigator of two National Institutes of Healthfunded research studies: Caring for Our Generations: Supporting Native Mothers and Their Families (NIH R01DA029000-01) explores health, substance use, and family support in Native women during and after pregnancy. Growing our Own: Native Faculty and Staff Development (NIHs Native American Research Centers for Health Award U26IHS300291-01) is an innovative training program that addresses the isolation experienced by many tribal faculty, staff, and students as they seek higher education and professional careers, and ties the educational process to development of research partnerships aimed at addressing health disparities.

An engaged audience attended Dr. Antony Statelys discussion of Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice within Tribal Communities, the inaugural offering of the IWRI-NCoE Speaker Series. In his talk, Antony emphasized the importance of taking context and community into account in mental health clinical practice with tribal communities. Among other topics, he outlined how historical trauma can affect communities and individuals, and why the researcher/ clinician must have an understanding of its possible impact. He also touched on ethical decision making, suggesting that people in the position of making decisions ask themselves, If I or my family were on the receiving end of this decision, would I accept it as fair and just? Does it respect the rights of all persons concerned? Dr. Stately spoke from experience as Director of Behavioral Health at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota. Antony (Ojibwe/ Oneida) holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He worked previously at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, University of Washington-Seattle, as director

for the HONOR Project (a survey looking at the impact of historical trauma, discrimination and other stressors on the health and wellness of Native Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender and Two-spirited men and women) and co-investigator for a grant addressing obesity and cardiovascular disease with a Northwest tribe. He was inaugural Program Director of Seven Generations

Child and Family Counseling Services, a clinic serving American Indian children and families, which he helped to establish in Los Angeles. Antony has been a consultant to numerous international, national, and local agencies, and has taught in several graduate programs in clinical psychology. The presentation was given over the lunch hour on Monday, May 20, and was attended by members of the community including students, staff and faculty.

Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

One Ocean, Shared Waters, Shared Knowledges

By Michelle Jacob, PhD

On Saturday, February 23, 2013, the Heritage University (HU) Center for Native Health & Culture partnered with IWRI to host 160 people at the One Ocean, Shared Waters, Shared Knowledges event at HU. The gathering celebrated the sharing of indigenous knowledges and research partnerships for indigenous health equity in Aotearoa (New Zealand), Hawaii, and Turtle Island (mainland North America). The event started with an invocation by HU student leader, Haver Jim. Next, the attendees were delighted by beautiful dancing and singing by the girls (aged 3-18) of Iksks Washanal of the Toppenish Creek Longhouse, who graced the audience

Marlene White, and Eleanor Davis, described the importance of the regalia and of the spirit of generosity that guides their group. Ikssk Washanal made gifts for the visiting guests, as well as all the elders attending the event. HU Provost, Dr. Curt Guaglianone, gave all of the girls a gift. The visiting scholars sang songs and told stories to share some of their Maori, Hawaiian, and Samoan cultures. Gifts were

with a lovely performance of the Swan Dance. The girls teachers, Patricia Whitefoot, Marilee Jones,

about the science traditions among Maori peoples. Dr. Tracey McIntosh (TWK-Sociology) spoke about incarceration of indigenous peoples in prisons. Dr. Melani Anae (TWK-Pacific Studies) spoke about the Polynesian Panthers and indigenous activism. Ms. Everdina Fuli (TWK-Business Manager) spoke about collaboration and networking among Maori and Pacific communities. Dr. Keaweaimoku Kaholokula (University of Hawaii, ManoaNative Hawaiian Health) spoke about the history and trends of Native Hawaiian Health. HUNAC students, led by President Debra Whitefoot, provided a closing song and Eleanor Davis offered a prayer. The audience and presenters were all grateful for the sharing exchanged between the guests and of knowledges and cultures, and HU Center Director, Dr. Michelle look forward to the next such Jacob and HU President, Dr. John exchange. Bassett. The guests gifted HU with a Maori flag and several books. HU In late February 2013, IWRI had the honor of hosting a group of six indigenous Native American Club (HUNAC) scholars from the Pacific Rim. Over the provided guests with a lunch course of one week, they gave presentations consisting of elk stew, salad, and and were graciously welcomed by the Suquamish wild celery. Nation on Puget Presentations followed lunch. Most of the scholars hailed Sound, the Yakama People at from Te Whare Kura (TWK: HU in Toppenish, http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/ Washington, and the UW. uoa/te-whare-kura), a Maori research institute at the University This article was written by of Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Dr. Michelle Brad Coombes (TWK- Geography Jacob (Yakama), and Environmental Management) Director of the Center for spoke about indigenous soverNative American Health and Culture at eignty and environment. Dr. HU (http://www.heritage.edu/Community/ Papaarangi Reid (TWK-Medical CenterforNativeHealthandCulture.aspx). and Health Sciences) spoke
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Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Jordan Lewis: New faculty joins IWRI!

By Leo Egashira, MBA

In June 2013, Dr. Jordan Lewis (Aleut) started his new position as an Assistant Professor with the UW School of Social Work and IWRI. Until recently, Jordan was a Postdoctoral/ Senior Research Fellow at the UW School of Medicine on a National Institute of Mental Health-funded postdoctoral training program. His research focuses on exploring the lived experiences of Alaska Native elders to develop support programs for Alaska Natives struggling with alcohol dependence. His goal is to find new strategies to address the significant health burden of problem drinking among Alaska Native older adults. Jordan received his doctoral degree in CrossCultural Community Psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he did research with Alaska Native elders in Bristol Bay (southwest Alaska) to establish an Alaska Native model of successful aging. His research interests also include rural community mental health, Indigenous

gerontology, and cross-cultural health and long-term care. I am excited and honored to join the IWRI family to continue my research in collaboration with our Native Elders and tribal communities, Jordan stated. I am a strong believer in IWRIs mission and am excited to work with the IWRI faculty and staff to develop innovative, culture-centered interdisciplinary, collaborative social and behavioral research. I look forward to sharing my experiences working with tribal communities in Alaska and plan to continue collaborating with these and other Native communities. This research will build on the lived experiences and lessons of our Native Elders to develop culturally-grounded programs and services that promote healthy living among all age groups. Learning about the cultural groups in the Seattle area will inform my work and provide me with more insight on the successful programs and services in reservation communities, he continued. In Alaska, we are experiencing an out-migration of Alaska Natives from rural communities to the larger cities, which brings with it the need for more urban-based services specifically for Native peoples. I plan to introduce myself to the tribal communities

in the Seattle area and learn about their tribal programs and services. I hope to learn from their experiences in order to assist urban communities in Alaska in developing tribally-run programs and services. On a personal note, Jordan is also excited to be in Seattle: After living in Fairbanks for seven years, there was an adjustment to living in a city again. It was a big change, but it is nice being here because I can easily visit my immediate family, all of whom live in Cannon Beach and Portland, Oregon (when they are not commercial fishing in Bristol Bay during the summer months). Here in Seattle, I enjoy trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and exploring new neighborhoods. And, I am still only one flight away from Anchorage or Fairbanks, where I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, picking berries, and experiencing the extreme temperatures.

Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Palatisha Miyanashma: The Children are Growing

Edited by Leo Egashira, MBA

Palatisha Miyanashma: The children are growing. Patsy L. Whitefoot Patsy Whitefoot (Yakama) knows hardship and success. As a young girl from the Yakama Indian Reservation (The Rez), she and her sisters were enrolled in a reservation mission boarding school when her care-giver grandmother became ill. In high school, she experienced what she called discrimination toward native students. Her experience with the struggles that Native American students face in the educational system and personally overcoming them has allowed her to mentor generations of students through school. Patsy has an amazingly rich and varied set of experiences as a professional educator, from teaching in Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation to serving as the Supervisor of Indian Education for Washington State. She has worked at every level of Indian education, from Head Start to guiding university program development, currently serving on the Board of Directors of Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington. From 1997 to 2002, Patsy served on the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, later serving as Interim Director of the Nations Department of Human Services. Since 2004, Patsy has served as the Director of Indian Education for the Toppenish School District on The Rez. Her responsibilities involve increasing the number of preschool Native children who possess literacy readiness skills that prepare them for kindergarten; K12 supplemental support for Native students; and, increasing the number of Native high school graduates (who) transition to postsecondary education. She successfully manages community partnerships with reservation
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school districts, the Yakama Nation, Heritage University,Yakima County, and the UW in seeking resources to support Native students. The depth of Patsy Whitefoots experience in Indian education is exceptional, having served at different times as superintendent, principal, consultant, counselor, teacher, and visionary founder of many instrumental programs. She has won an array of awards; in 2009, President Obama appointed her as a member of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. She is the Education Committee Chairperson for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and former President of the National Indian Education Association. Patsy Whitefoots leadership style and capacity is grounded with the indigenous world view nurtured by her grandparents and early childhood experiences in the rural area of Medicine Valley on The Rez. She serves as a traditional food gatherer for the Toppenish Creek Longhouse. She has three children who all graduated from White Swan High School on The Rez and she also has ten grandchildren. In rearing her children and supporting her grandchildren and extended family, she is always amazed in the childrens natural gift for learning. In her role as an educator, she advocates her ancestors vision for holistic health, environmental and spiritual well-being originated in the Native languages, values, cultures and histories of the aboriginal landscape. This article originally appeared in Ecotrust and titled, 2009
Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award Finalist: Patricia L.Whitefoot http://www.ecotrust.org/indigenousleaders/2009/patricia_whitefoot. html and has been reprinted with permission. She eventually became the recipient of the 2009 Ecotrust award for her ongoing work and leadership in tribal, regional, and national efforts to improve Indian education at all levels. The original article has been updated and edited for length.

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Two Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Projects Ending

By Leo Egashira, MBA

Two ground-breaking CBPR projects directed by Principal Investigator (PI) Bonnie Duran, DrPH, are nearing the end of four years of funding in August 2013. The defining characteristic of CBPR is that the research is conducted as an equal partnership between academic personnel and community members. The community participates fully in all aspects of the research process from the initial design, allocation of resources, implementation, and dissemination of findings. Research for Improved Health: A National Study of Community-Academic Partnerships (National Institutes

of Healths Native American Research Centers for Health Award U261HS300293/01) investigated the promoters of and barriers to CBPR partnerships. The research team was based at three institutions: the National Congress of American Indians (Malia Villegas, Dr.Ed, Overall PI), provided overall direction and responsibility; IWRI spearheaded survey data collection and analysis (Bonnie Duran, UW-PI); and
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the University of New Mexicos Centers for Health (Nina Wallerstein, Dr.PH, UNM-PI), is collecting and analyzing data from case studies. IWRI team members include Cynthia Pearson, PhD, Chuan Zhou, PhD, Dennis Donovan, PhD, Mary Larimer, PhD, Maya Magarati, PhD, Myra Parker, JD, PhD, and Leo Egashira, MBA. Former key personnel include Diane Martin, PhD, and Elana Mainer, MPH, MSW. The teams conducted a nationwide, online survey of 322 community and academic partnerships and conducted nine in-depth case studies, collecting data such as the environment,

individual and structural dynamics, community and academic capacities, governance and policies, and interventions and outcomes. The data reveal a very rich and complex picture of what works and what does not work in fostering successful collaborative research studies. The papers generated by the study will provide much-needed literature

to address the growing

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CBPR projects ending - continued

at each TCU about their perceptions of alcohol and drug use at their TCU. Preliminary data show that: 84% of students, faculty and staff surveyed at 27 TCU feel that drinking alcohol is a normal activity among male students, and that 83% feel the same about female students. 85% feel that addressing alcohol problems would help improve academic performance of students. 51% feel that taking drugs is a normal activity among male students, while 45% feel the same is true among female students. While the above figures are perceptions, they no doubt reflect the reality that serious drug and alcohol problems exist at TCU, not unlike the existence of the same problems in mainstream colleges and universities. The survey also looked at and measured the unique social networks provided by TCU. The value of these social networks provide Native American students with educational, social and cultural advantages that can be used to reduce the harm caused by problem alcohol and drug use. More than 80% of students, faculty and staff surveyed at 27 TCU feel that traditional activities bring people together. 53% of students and 67% of faculty & staff feel that if a student has alcohol or drug problems, TCU faculty and staff will step in. As the current needs assessment study comes to a close, there will be over a dozen papers analyzing the collected data. The papers are expected to provide TCU with information to suggest strength-based approaches to address problem areas and to assist TCU in applying for grants.

interest in CBPR. CBPR with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU): Drug and Alcohol Problems and Solutions Study (National Institutes of Healths Native American Research Centers for Health Award 1 R01DA029001-01) is the first comprehensive drug and alcohol needs assessment done at TCU. The study is a collaboration among Northwest Indian College on the Lummi Nation in Bellingham, Washingtonthe primary grant recipient (Karyl Jefferson, MPA, overall PI), the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, 27 participating TCU, and IWRI (Bonnie Duran, UW-PI). IWRI team members include Dennis Donovan, PhD, Mary Larimer, PhD, Maya Magarati, PhD, Myra Parker, JD, PhD, and Leo Egashira, MBA. Former staffer, Elana Mainer, MPH, MSW also played a critical role in the study. This study asked a select group of up to five students, five faculty and five staff members

Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Vision to Action: Partnership Summit

By Kerrie Murphy, MSW

IWRI hosted the Vision to Action Partnership Summit, May 2224, 2013, at the beautiful Kiana Lodge in Suquamish, Washington. One-hundred-thirty-one participants of the Summit included 26 staff, faculty and students from IWRI and the UW, and 106 invited guests including tribal community members, Native and non-Native researchers, and non-Native allies and research partners. Several project-related pre-meetings were organized in conjunction with the Summit: Research for Improved Health; Tribal College and Universities; Indigenous HIV/AIDS Research

Training program; Indigenous Substance Abuse, Medicines, and Addictions Research Training Fellows; Research Training and Education Core; and the National Center of Excellence (P60) Advisory Board. The Summit

Walters, PhD, Tessa EvansCampbell, PhD, and Bonnie Duran, DrPH. They were followed by an inspiring and thoughtful keynote address by Dr. Malia Villegas of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. The evening was capped by a traditional feast of fresh, local shellfish. The second day of the Summit began with a keynote address by Dr. Greg Cajete of the

opened with a welcome from Marilyn Wandry of the Suquamish Tribe and a greeting and presentation about the P60 grant by IWRI Directors Karina
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University of New Mexico, which was followed by two visioning sessions facilitated by Polly Olsen and Bill Aal. Utilizing the theme of traditional basket weaving, the sessions were designed to encourage examination and evaluation of current research partnerships from an indigenous perspective and prioritize areas of focus for

Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Vision to Action: Partnership Summit

expressed dissatisfaction that the scheduled sessions were not completed as planned. Among the evaluation comments, networking was mentioned most frequently as the greatest benefit of the Summit, followed by meeting and connecting with people as close seconds. Eighty percent of respondents stated that they formed new partnerships at the Summit. And 84% stated that they plan to develop partnerships with contacts they met at the event. the needs of the community Keynote speakers representatives showed a great were described as amazing, commitment to real communiawesome, and inspiring. Dr. ty-based participatory research Villegas talk encouraged particmethodology. ipants to commit to supporting Overall satisfaction among each other and collaborating attendees was high, though some more. Dr. Cajetes talk motivated

the remaining sessions. The afternoon sessions were designated for partnership-building based on common themes identified in the morning sessions. Upon request by a participating elder, however, the sessions were replaced by an impromptu talking circle. The following comments best illustrate the outcome of the afternoons discourse. The relationship between research and the Native community has its struggles. It was refreshing and inspirational to hear all the diverse, yet also similar experiences, and realize that we still have much healing to do. Creating the space for open, even painful, dialogue and the willingness to adjust to accommodate

Newsletter - Issue 8 - August 2013

Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Dr. Clyde McCoy Speaks About the Importance of Native Americans in Research and Education
On July 30, 2013, IWRI hosted Dr. Clyde McCoy (Eastern Band Cherokee) for a presentation on The Importance of Culture in Living and Learning. Clyde noted, Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains near my ancestral home of the Cherokee, I did not have parents or relatives who had finished higher education Even though my parents did not complete their education, they instilled the value of pursuing higher learning. His parents commitment to their childrens education drove Clyde and his siblings to achieve in academics. Clyde received his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Cincinnati. He currently serves as a professor and emeritus chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in Florida. He directed the Miami Comprehensive Drug Research Center for more than three decades and was a founding member of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Native American Researchers and Scholars
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Workgroup. Clyde is dedicated to cultivating more Native Americans in research. He channeled his passion for mentorship into the next generation of Native American researchers. Clyde said that, while the number is growing, There needs be a critical mass of Native Americans in university systems that bring what we have learned from our Native cultures and communities to inform health practice. He is committed to discussing important issues of culture surrounding Native American communities and the role of Native American researchers in developing behavioral health practices that are consistent with Native American cultural traditions. During his presentation, Clyde stressed that understanding and respecting your culture will lead you to a place of strength in education. He asked students to remember that all of the skills that they acquire as a researchers will only carry their work as far as their understanding of the culture of those they serve. When working with community,

understanding their relationship to culture will invariably lead you to important research questions. He shared recent research conducted in Alaskan villages that was centered on the historical Indigenous cultures of Alaska Native people. When the traditional diet, which was high in fish oil and vitamin D, was replaced with a diet low in fish oil, it caused a surge in Vitamin D deficiency among Alaska Natives. Ultimately, it was a knowledge of the communities culture that led to important areas to study. His final remark asked that we all continue to learn and grow and should put that learning into practice: a truly educated individual understands that there is always more to learn from every group interaction and one is blessed to be a part of such global diversity that we have in the world today.

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Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence

Vision to Action Partnership Summit Continued

many participants to refocus their curriculum and research projects with a stronger, vibrant use of traditional indigenous knowledge. To view recordings of the talks, use on the IWRI website: http://iwri.org.

IWRIs Newsletter Team

IWRI Faculty
Karina L. Walters, PhD (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) William P. & Ruth Gerberding University Professor Principal Investigator Director - IWRI Tessa Evans-Campbell, PhD (Snohomish Tribe of Indians) Associate Director - IWRI Director, IWRI Center for Indigenous Child & Family Research; Research Training & Education Core

opportunities for partnership development and guide the next steps of IWRIs National Center of Excellence grant--were achieved. The IWRI staff is certainly grateful for all the positive feedback and gratitude from the participants and our partners you are why we do what we do!

Bonnie Duran, DrPH (Opelousas/Coushatta) Director - IWRI Center for Indigenous Health Research; Community Engagement and Outreach Core Jordan Lewis, PhD (Aleut) IWRI Faculty Cynthia Pearson, PhD (Hungarian Jewish ally) Associate Director - IWRI Research Core

IWRI Newsletter Staff

Chris Charles, BSW (Cowichan/Nanaimo/Duwamish) Media & Technology Division Director Leo Egashira, MBA (Japanese American ally) Research Coordinator/IWRI Editor Meg MacDonald, PhD (White Ally) IHART Director/IWRI Editor Kerry Murphy, MSW (Cherokee Descent) Research Coordinator Tetana Oguara, MPH (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation) Administrative Director IWRI Admin. Core Kyle Tiffany, BS (Japanese American Hapa ally) Research Coordinator

While the agenda was altered somewhat, the general goals of the Summit--to harness partnership synergy, strengthen community relationships, provide
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Indigenous Wellness Research Institute National Center of Excellence Box 354900 Seattle, WA 98195 USA www.iwri.org