Congratulations to our 2020 AIHREA Graduate!

Normally, we include a list of our graduates in our May powwow program. Due to the ongoing global pandemic and the resulting cancellation of this year's event, we were unable to do that. But, we would still like to congratulate our sole 2020 graduate, Christina Haswood! Congratulations, Christina! Read more about her and her work, plus a description of one of our new logos below!

I am Navajo and my clans are Tódích'íí'nii nishłí Dibé Łizhiní bashishchiin Naasht'ézhi Tábąąhá dashicheii Kinyaa'áanii dashinalí. I graduated with my Master of Public Health with a concentration in Management from the University of Kansas Medical Center this past spring. My capstone project was "Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors Surrounding Alternative Tobacco Use in American Indian College Students." This study consisted of running focus groups and surveys to Native college students who self-identified as being a current/former tobacco smokers, current/former alternative tobacco users, and never users. Native Americans have high smoking tobacco rates, but little research has been done on the prevalence of alternative tobacco smoking. The rise of younger adults and adolescents using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as vaping products like JUUL, is cause for concern about their use among Native youth. Our study found that current/former alternative tobacco smokers started to use ENDS because of peer influence and as a way to relieve stress. We found that majority of participants did not recall any ENDS prevention programs in their home communities. This suggests that there is a need for a culturally-tailored prevention program. During my time here at CAICH, I had the honor of working on a variety of projects from health screenings in Tribal communities to running focus groups. The support of Dr. Daley and the whole AIHREA team have helped me to become the first member of both sides of my family to earn a Master's degree. 

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Institute for Indigenous Studies

In addition to establishing the new institute and transitioning to Lehigh University, you may have noticed that the AIHREA logos got a little bit of a face lift thanks to Luke Swimmer enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, AIHREA member, and owner of Buffalotown Clothing Co. 

He also designed the new Institute's logo which has several symbolic meanings. The design in the center is a basket weave symbolizing the interconnectedness of all Indigenous peoples of the Americas – North, Central, and South.  The main colors – green and gold – are earth tones, representing a connection to the Earth and good health. They also pair well with Lehigh University’s official colors – brown and white.   

The gold rectangle in the center of the design represents the Institute for Indigenous Studies (IIS).  It also represents the connection the IIS has to all the Indigenous communities with which it works.
 The larger gold circle around the main basket design symbols signifies family and community ties, as well as protection and understanding. ​

The small dots on the outer edge of the design represent people and they are arranged in a larger circle symbolizing equality, where no one person is more important than another.