Back to Basics
Healthy Native Youth
Adolescent Health Curricula Resource Portal for Educators, Parents & Caring Adults
If you ever wondered, “Where can I find culturally relevant, age-appropriate curricula for American Indian and Alaska Native youth?” – look no further than your fingertips and internet browser – as there is a one-stop website for educators and adults who engage native youth and young adults! The Healthy Native Youth portal, www.healthynativeyouth.org, has an array of adolescent health curricula, resources and support for those who want to access and to deliver health education with a native lens in their home community!

Get connected with the Healthy Native Youth movement! And, subscribe to our HNY YouTube channel too! After surfing the website and seeing the waves of potential implementation opportunities, you will be saying, “How come my teachers didn’t have something like this when I was in school? This is awesome!”
A HNY Curriculum Enhancement Tool for Educators
Try We R Native: A multimedia health resource for Native teens and young adults 

We could talk about HNY’s sister organization, We R Native , all day! -- but we would rather have you hear it directly from the WRN Ambassadors about how today’s native youth are spreading positive vibes for their generation in their voice. Click to hear their message!
We R Native is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. WRN strives to promote holistic health and positive growth in our local communities and nation at large.

The content is for youth and relayed in a way that youth want – utilizing technology, social media and modern imagery – all ways to meet youth where they are at. Visit www.wernative.org and “Like” We R Native social media channels (FB, IG, Twitter, YouTube) – if you want to know what is on their minds in your youth engagement efforts. 

Subscribe to the WRN YouTube channel !
Healthy Native Youth On the Virtual Road!
The Healthy Native Youth project has been busy on the virtual road presenting with Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board sister adolescent health programs. A trio delivered a live zoom presentation from our homes for NICWA’s first ever annual virtual conference which had over 1,550 registrations and as many as 700 people on any given call! We loved making connections!

April 1: National Indian Child Welfare Association Annual Conference - Session Nine
  • Watch Now!: We R Native, Healthy Native Youth, and Celebrate Our Magic: Promoting Inclusivity in Adolescent Health and Well-Being

Another trio will be presenting once again! Come check us out ! We’d love to virtually see you!
  • April 23: American Association Suicidology Conference – Zoom Room #4
2020 Adolescent Health Tribal Action Plan
In January, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board unanimously passed the 2020 Adolescent Health Tribal Action Plan.

The Plan aims to:
  • Promote adolescent health by developing culturally-appropriate programs and policies
  • Provide adolescents with the support, options, and resources they need to take control of their own health and wellbeing
  • Improve adolescent social and physical environments
  • Increase the role of schools and after school programs in improving young people’s health
  • Strengthen inter-tribal and inter-agency collaboration across sectors to promote adolescent health
  • Increase knowledge and understanding among tribal decision-makers, State Health Departments, and potential funding organizations about adolescent health issues that affect Native youth in the Pacific Northwest, as well as effective solutions

It is our hope that this plan will be used by the Board, NW Tribes, and partnering agencies to guide program planning, catalyze community outreach efforts, and foster a coordinated response to addressing the health and wellbeing of adolescents in our tribal communities. Adolescent health is deeply affected by the social conditions that surround them, therefore we encourage collaboration across agencies and programs (i.e. cultural and art programs, health and wellness, recreation, prevention, education, juvenile justice, elders, social services, etc.) to leverage and integrate preventive services for Native youth across the Pacific Northwest.
Technical Assistance
In Case You Missed It!
The two most popular Community of Practice Sessions
In Case You Missed It! The Two Most Popular Community of Practice Sessions
  • 'Social Media Protective Factors Against Human Trafficking & MMIR': Human Trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives [MMIR]
  • 'Supporting Youth Experiencing Trauma in the Classroom and Beyond'

The HNY CoP Sessions of March and April were record-setting with over 150 people attending from across Indian Country and Alaska. The presenters were knowledgeable and the content delivered was invaluable when working with youth. In case you missed them, view them by clicking here .

We welcome you to join Healthy Native Youth’s Community of Practice virtual gatherings held the second Wednesday of every month at 10-11 am PST. If interested, Text “ HEALTHY ” to 97779 .

CoP Sessions include new resources and opportunities to engage with topical experts. As a learning collaborative group, each month we share our strengths and expertise about how we will improve the lives of Native youth. Who should attend? We strongly encourage tribal health educators, teachers, parents, prevention specialists and supportive caring adults who share a passion for improving the lives of Native youth.
  • Save-The-Date! Youth Identity and Healthy Relationships on May 13th! Text “HEALTHY” to 97779.
Special Support Session Community of Practice
April 22nd
COVID-19 has created stress, anxiety and an array of emotions on the professional and personal fronts. Healthy Native Youth recognizes the emotional toll and we would like to offer an opportunity for educators and supportive caring adults to have a special support session during these extraordinary times that will provide:
  • Tips for how to care for ourselves
  • Support the teens and families in our communities, and
  • Cope with the loss of connection (both in programs and personally)

How to Join
  • At the time of the meeting join us via Zoom: https://Echo.zoom.us/j/458332611
  • Join us by phone only +1 (669) 900-6833, meeting ID: 458 332 611. Press *6 to mute your line when not speaking.

Click here for flyer and connection information.
COVID-19 Tribal Public Health Education Resources for Native Youth
April Highlights
Positively Native, a new short film on HIV stigma
Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) is excited to announce the release of Positively Native, a film featuring American Indian and Alaska Native individuals living with HIV. The film encourages dialogue to create more inclusive and supportive communities for those living with HIV.

UIHI also created a toolkit that includes a presentation on the basics of HIV, including transmission, prevention, treatment, stigma and discrimination, and epidemiology of HIV in American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Download the toolkit for more detail.
Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month
April is also Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Month. If you are looking for something to do please attend our two upcoming webinars.
Looking beyond COVID-19 for domestic and sexual violence programs, April 16 10:00am-11:00am.

Click here to attend.
A Silent Epidemic
Sexual violence against men and boys, April 28, 9:00am-3:00pm.


Click here to attend.
If you, or a youth you know is need of support around Sexual Assault please visit Rainn.Org or Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) . You can also call the AI/AN Strong Hearts Helpline at 1.844.762.8483 or visit Strongheartshelpline.org .
10th Annual THRIVE Youth Conference
During this time, NPAIHB has made the difficult decision to cancel the 10th Annual 2020 THRIVE youth conference. The 10-year celebration will be moved to June 2021. For more information visit the THRIVE conference webpage here .
Next Month
We are currently pilot testing a Caring Adult text messaging series for talking to youth about sexual health and other important topics called “Talking is Power.” We are fine tuning and are preparing for a Spring launch of our new text messaging service campaign for parents and caring adults! Stay tuned to our Healthy Native Youth social media channels and website when it goes
live!
Connect with us