Native American Heritage Day
Each year, Americans observe Native American Heritage Day on Nov. 25. Native Americans are accorded special honor on this day, and their rich cultures, accomplishments, contributions and heritage are celebrated. We spoke to Earl Blair, RN, BSN, and Donna Roberson, PhD, FNP-BC, about what this month and being an ANAC member mean to them.
Earl Blair
(he, him)
RN Case Manager, Sixteenth Street Community Healthy Center
Years as an ANAC member: 3

What does Native American Heritage Day mean to you?  
Native American Heritage Day means to me a day that Americans can reflect and learn about Native American history and contributions not to just the USA but to the entire world. Since most people are only taught about Native Americans in history class, it is a day to acknowledge that we are not relics of the past but still very much here in present day society. We have survived over 500 years of European contact and we are still here today. I am a member of the White Earth Band of Minnesota Ojibwe.

Why did you join the fight to end HIV/AIDS?
I started working in the field of HIV/AIDS as an outreach worker in 2005. At the time I was honestly just looking for a job. However, I then moved on to working at the Milwaukee Health Department doing partner services, and it was then that some of my friends and family members began to get diagnosed with HIV. It is through those experiences and heartaches of diagnosing those close to me personally that my passion grew for working in the field. While working there I felt that I could do more for my community other than testing and connecting them to care. Working closely with the public health nurses had a great influence on me, and I decided to return to school and become a nurse so that I could continue being a part of my patients’ care.

Who are your mentors?
The two greatest mentors I have had so far in my career as a nurse are Bridget Costigan and Sharon O’Dwyer. Bridget Costigan was the NP who I worked with right out of school at the local IHS clinic here in Milwaukee. She provided me with both knowledge and confidence to be a nurse. Sharon O’Dwyer was another NP who I had the privilege of working with at our local ASO. Working with Sharon taught me how to manage specifically HIV patients medically and socially. Both of these wonderful and amazing nurses have had a great influence on my practice and my personal life. 
Donna Roberson, PhD, FNP-BC
(she, her, hers)
Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner, East Carolina University
Years as an ANAC member: 15
ANAC Committee: Health and Wellness and Palliative Care

What does Native American Heritage Day mean to you?  
My father’s people are Cherokee, but growing up, we were “not allowed” to talk about or say anything “Indian” because my grandfather feared the government would take our land away. I did not understand his fear, but knew it was serious to him. We observed many traditions that now I know were from our Cherokee heritage (just now said “out loud.”) I am grateful that Native American Heritage Day opens up discussions about indigenous traditions and culture for all people to learn and it allows children to embrace their family cultural traditions openly.

Why did you join the fight to end HIV/AIDS?
As a new nurse, I saw very young men admitted for AIDS, dying alone, because their family abandoned them simply for who they were and this terrible disease. I wanted to support them and let them know someone cared. As a doctoral student, I studied medication adherence because I felt ART was a miracle. After seeing horrible wasting and suffering, we had a treatment, but some people did not take it! My journey in HIV care has carried me through prevention, medication adherence and healthy aging with HIV. 

What does ANAC mean to you?
ANAC is a family to me – a tribe of people, from many walks of life with varied backgrounds, but all standing in solidarity for HIV care and advocating for those at risk for or living with HIV. ANAC is a place where everyone “gets” what I’m talking about and that is priceless. I’ve made lifelong friends through this membership.