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!

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. 

We are excited for the new opportunities that this move has in store for us, our research, and the communities with which we work. To read a "Thank You" to the Northeast Kansas Native community for hosting us over the last 14 years, and other updates from 2019, check out our newest annual report which can be accessed below!

The current global pandemic, caused by COVID-19, throws into sharp relief the importance of access to accurate health information and what we can do to prevent COVID-19's spread and protect our families and communities. Given the disproportionate effects it is having on many Native communities, we have begun development of a series of Native-targeted brochures and posters for dissemination. With funding support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (14093-UOK), we will not only be printing them, but also having them translated into a number of Native languages from around the country!

Brochures and posters cover a wide range of topics related to COVID-19, including how it spreads, prevention, symptoms, high risk populations, and pregnancy and breastfeeding. We have just finished designing the brochures and are happy to be making them available to you today! Check out the preview below, followed by free downloads of all the brochures!

AIHREA and our partners are all keeping a close eye on the development of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the communities in which we live, work, and serve. This has taken on many different forms including delaying current research projects and re-evaluating future events. As such, it is with heavy hearts that we will be cancelling the 2020 AIHREA Our Nations' Energies Health and Wellness Powwow for the first time since its inception in 2007. We hope to see all of you happy and healthy at our future events after we come out on the other side of this pandemic!

We've included a slideshow below of some of our favorite powwow memories over the years and would love for you to share yours!  Share them with us on social media using the hashtag #AIHREAPowwowMemories!

We recommend that you keep an eye on our social media pages because we hope to announce an event to celebrate the end of all the stay-at-home orders and social distancing this summer. Also, look for our 2019 Annual Report that will be available on June 1!  

As the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, we strongly encourage our followers to take every possible precaution to prevent the spread of this disease. There are currently 1,400 confirmed cases in the Indian Health Service System and communities continue to be hit hard by this pandemic. Indian Country Today's COVID-19 Syllabus is a great way to stay up-to-date with how COVID-19 is affecting Indian Country.

The best way to prevent getting the illness is to avoid exposure. Here are five things you should do to make sure you and your family members don't get COVID-19.

1. Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds. It is a good idea to do this especially after being out in public, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not available, you can use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content instead. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, too.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home as much as you possibly can, but when you can't maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others. Infected individuals are able to spread the virus even before they show symptoms. Wearing a cloth mask protects others if you are infected. You can make do-it-yourself face covers out of a variety of materials including scrap cotton fabric, t-shirts, and bandanas.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or cough/sneeze into your elbow. Wash your hands immediately afterward.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. 

For more information on COVID-19, what you can do to prevent its spread, and what to do if you think you, or someone you know, might be infected visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) COVID-19 information page.

All of us here at AIHREA hope that this newsletter finds you well in the midst of the response to COVID-19. We would like to encourage all of our subscribers to take every possible precaution to limit the spread of this virus and protect themselves and their communities. For more information on what you can do to prevent COVID-19's spread, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website here.

In an effort to support your practice of social distancing, we've come up with a brief list of some of our teams favorite books by Native authors in honor of Read Across America Day held earlier this month. Keep scrolling to see some of our picks and check in on last March's newsletter if you'd like more recommendations!

​This is the debut young adult novel from adult novelist Rebecca Roanhorse, a Black Indigenous (Ohkay Owingeh or San Juan Pueblo) author from Northern New Mexico.  For this coming-of-age story, she draws on the oral tradition of her husband's tribe, the Dine or Navajo.  Race to the Sun tells the story of seventh-grader Nizhoni Begay and her brother Mac, who are descended from the Hero Twins on their mother's side.  They, along with Nizhoni's best friend Davery and the help of several Diyin Dine, go on a quest to save their father who has been captured by monsters.  Ultimately, their quest will save the world.  They must go to the four sacred mountains and collect the sacred stones, then teaming up with Spider Woman and the Sun, as well as their ancestor Monster Slayers.  They face numerous challenges along the way and learn what it truly means to be heroes.  This is an inspiring story of three young people who learn who they are and the importance of their heritage.  Complete with a glossary of Dine words, it weaves contemporary Native life with oral tradition to tell a story that is both uniquely Dine and resonant for individuals of any cultural background.  This is a great choice if you are trying to bring middle-school kids into the world of literature (reading age range is similar to the early Harry Potter novels).

-Christine Daley, Center Director (CAICH)

​I feel like this book is a great read. The book is based on the author's experience as a practicing America Indian MD who has worked at major medical institutions who also has a gift for being able to heal as an   Indigenous "medicine man". He draws on his knowledge and experience from Indigenous healers and western medicine to identify the disruption in the body in order to help people heal and recover.

-Jason Hale, Research Instructor, Assistant Director for Community Engagement & Education

You may remember our advertisements for our new Native Research Ambassadors grant writing training program and we are so excited to start introducing you to our amazing participants. Since we have so many participants, we'll be splitting them into two separate posts (this month and in April) so stay tuned to meet the whole crew! Also, make sure you make it to the end because we've got a special offer for you from our longtime supporters at the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College.

Rene Begay, M.S., (Diné/Navajo) is Big Water, born for the Red Bottom People clan, her maternal grandfather's clan is Red Running into Water, and her paternal grandfather's clan is Towering House. Rene received her BS in Biology from the University of Arizona in 2012. She also obtained her master's degree in clinical science from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado where she studied genetic mutations associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Currently, she is a Professional Research Assistant at the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health at the University of Colorado Denver, School of Public Health. Her work is focused on rural Native veteran suicide prevention and understanding health service utilization and disease in the Indian Health Service. In addition, Rene is passionate about the ethical, social, and clinical implications of genetic research in Native communities.

Dr. Timian M. Godfrey earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Southern Utah University. She was the top Family Nurse Practitioner graduate from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2014, and recently graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Executive Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program with honors in May 2019. She has practiced as a board-certified nurse practitioner for the past five years in the fields of pain management, orthopedic surgery and, most recently, emergency medicine. She works in critical access emergency departments as an advanced practice clinician on the Pine Ridge, South Dakota and San Carlos, Arizona reservations for TribalEM.

Academic honors for Dr. Godfrey include being selected as a 2018-2020 Jonas Scholar and awarded the Nurse Leadership Executive Mentorship (NLEM) award from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. The NLEM award afforded Timian opportunities to attend workshops and conferences focusing on health informatics, process improvement, innovation and nurse entrepreneurship.

In addition to completing her Executive DNP at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Timian was selected as an Elizabeth Sackler Scholar for the Certificate of Public Health in American Indian Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She will graduate from this certificate program in July 2019.

Dr. Godfrey is passionate about translational research and innovation to improve the health of our nation. Her doctoral work focused on applying culturally fit diabetes self-management education (DSME) and improving throughput processes for American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus management in a critical access hospital.

Dr. Michelle Kahn-John, a member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation, is a Clinical Associate Professor with the University of Arizona, College of Nursing. Dr. Kahn-John is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and geriatric nurse practitioner with 20 years of clinical experience with the Indian Health Service on the Navajo Nation and with Alaska Natives in Sitka, Alaska. Dr. Kahn-John’s research focuses on the protective relationship between American Indian cultural practices (language, stories, ceremony, spirituality) and physical and psychological health of American Indian populations. She is currently the secretary for a Diné traditional healer organization on the Navajo Nation. Dr. Kahn-John is working on the development of culturally-tailored, strength-based health delivery methods for American Indian populations as she continues to advocate for innovative and culturally-tailored health care delivery models. In her work with tribes, Michelle has served as the director of a large, Indian Health Service mental health department (inpatient and outpatient) over a period of seven years and was successful in establishing an integrated model of healthcare delivery that combined Diné traditional healing interventions alongside western medicine at the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital in Arizona. She was instrumental in establishing the first inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit on the Navajo Nation. She has skills and experience as an instructor, a clinician, a health care administrator, a program developer and as a researcher. Her cultural insights lend to her expertise on the development of tailored, individualized, and culturally relevant health related health and wellness options for American Indians.

Dillon Nelson is from Pine Ridge, South Dakota within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He comes from the Ogala Tituwan Oceti Sakowin and the immediate Nelson family, he also belongs to the Mahpiya Luta and Tuwseca Tiospayes. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Bioinformatics at South Dakota State University in Brookings SD.

Aubrey Estell Skeeter is a Yuchi and Muscogee scholar from Glenpool, Oklahoma. She is a Gates Millennium Scholar from the 2015 cohort and received her Bachelors of Arts in education from Colorado College in 2019. Ms. Skeeter is currently blessed to be working at the Yuchi Language Project in Sapulpa, Oklahoma where she works daily to preserve and revitalize the Yuchi Language within her community. She stays busy with her two additional jobs in Downtown Tulsa at Glacier Confections as an Assistant Manager and at the Tulsa Artist Fellowship as a Studio Assistant. Ms. Skeeter plans to pursue further education and is actively applying to graduate programs in the field of education. When Ms. Skeeter is not working, studying, or applying to graduate school, she can be found spending time with her family, at ceremonies, cooking, or at the movies. Ms. Skeeter has grown up within a traditional Yuchi family and is dedicated to the overall well-being of her community.

Chelsea Wesner is an instructor in the joint University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University Master of Public Health program, in which she teaches courses on health policy, social and behavioral sciences, public health research in Native American communities, and advises capstone/practicum projects. In addition to teaching, Chelsea leads the evaluation team for the South Dakota Department of Health’s Overdose Data to Action, a 3-year CDC cooperative agreement, and has worked on assignment with the CDC’s Tribal, Regional, and Territorial Support Team in the Division of Diabetes Translation since 2013.

Chelsea earned a BA in sociology and minor in American Indian studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a dual Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. She will complete a graduate training certificate in American Indian Health through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health in summer 2020 and is applying to doctoral programs. Her research interests include maternal and child health and food sovereignty in Native American communities. Chelsea is from Oklahoma and is a member of the Choctaw Nation. She is most proud of being a mom to Lily (6) and Isla (4) and partner to Jeff, a stream ecologist and professor.

Lisa Wilson is from a small community on the Navajo reservation called Ganado, Arizona. Lisa represents the the Diné (Navajo) and Tewa tribes. She is currently a Research Assistant/Analyst and Data Abstractor for the Utah Registry for Developmental Disabilities and Utah Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring Network. She advocates for access to Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental/mental health resources in underserved populations. Lisa received her Bachelor's of Science degree in psychology with a minor in health research at the University of Utah. In the future, she would love to become a psychologist for American Indian youth on their tribal reservations. Currently, Lisa also serves as an American Indian resource to the Global, Rural, and Underserved Child’s Health program at the University of Utah. In her free time, Lisa loves to cook, hike, travel, and watch true crime shows.

Orion Zuni is originally from Isleta Pueblo New Mexico where his family resides. He is currently finishing his bachelor's of public health with a minor in psychology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. After his undergraduate experience, he wishes to proceed with his education in community health. He hopes to return and work with his home community in his future endeavors.

The Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College presents Alonzo King LINES Ballet on May 9 at 8pm.

Choreographer Alonzo King is renowned for creating work that infuses classical ballet with new expression and expansive histories. With his latest work, Figures of Speech, King collaborates with slam poet Bob Holman, a leading advocate of linguistic preservation. Join this poignant journey through the sound, movement, meaning and shape of indigenous languages on the verge of extinction, set to a collection of Native peoples' poetry and music

Tickets start at $25, but AIHREA followers can receive discounted tickets by using the code "AIHREA" at checkout! Call (913) 469-4445 or visit www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter to reserve your seat today!

The Center for American Indian Studies at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is currently leading a National Institute for the Humanities (NEH) funded project titled, “Indian Knowledge, Western Education.”  The purpose of the project is to have JCCC faculty add components to existing courses, or develop entirely new courses, focusing on contemporary American Indian peoples, their communities, and the issues they face.  The initial cohort consists of 11 JCCC faculty members from various departments and programs including art history, English, environmental sciences, philosophy, political science, and more.  Over the past year, the faculty have met with ten American Indian community members from throughout the Midwest during which time Native community members presented on and discussed various topics and subjects affecting contemporary Indian peoples.  Some of the topics discussed include issues surrounding sovereignty and self-determination, maternal-child health on reservations, language preservation efforts, education, pow wows, and contemporary art.

Additionally, the JCCC faculty also travelled to New Mexico in June to visit several pueblos including Acoma Pueblo, where faculty members visited the original mesa-top community and attended a traditional Pueblo dinner held in their honor.  In November, faculty members went to Cahokia Mounds in Illinois to attend the annual Cahokia Native Arts Festival during which time they were able to meet with Native artists, as well as learn about pre-contact Native life at Cahokia.  This spring trips are planned to other Native communities and events in Kansas and Oklahoma where faculty will continue to learn about contemporary Indian life through interactions with Native peoples in Native communities and venues.

This coming fall faculty in the program will formally develop their new Native-focused components and courses.  They will begin to implement the new course components and courses beginning in the spring of 2021. 

This year was another busy and productive year for AIHREA. In case you missed any of the exciting things that happened this, we've compiled our "greatest hits" below. Keep reading to catch up!
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Our events in 2019 continued to be as successful as previous events. This year we hosted two powwows, our fourth annual culture day, and a Native health exhibit at the KU Medical Center. We also participated in a variety of events in the local community including the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Health and Wellness Fair, the Kickapoo Nation Health Fair, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Empowerment Festival.

In March, in honor of Read Across America Day, AIHREA team members compiled a list of books by Native authors. We hope you enjoyed our suggestions. Be on the lookout for another list i a few months!

Another milestone for our staff members included having four doctoral students on the team! This is the most we have ever had on the team at any one time! We are all exceptionally proud of all the hard work they do for us and in their studies. Learn all about them by checking out our August newsletter!

This holiday season AIHREA also collected toys and other gifts for youth from the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation. Nearly 200 gifts were sent up to the community along with funds to sponsor a dinner for the community!

Of the many projects we worked on throughout the year, we were very excited to start our Native Research Ambassador Program. This program is designed to train Native community members in grant writing and management. We are excited to have 20 community members from all over the country participating in the program and can't wait to see the projects they develop!

November is often our busiest month at AIHREA. With three different events in three communities November 2019 was no different! Keep reading for some highlights from each of our events!

Etkwagēk Mawttėshnowėn "Fall Gathering" Powwow
Our first event of the month was held at the Boys & Girls Club of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, KS. We were excited to bring this event back to the community to engage with members of the local community, present some of our recent research, and highlight some current health concerns in Indian Country. We had a great turnout and participation in our health intervention and powwow contests. 

Learn all the details about this year's event from the flyer below and by visiting our Facebook page!