Welcome to Seattle Indian Health Board's quarterly newsletter! Let's start by answering your first question: How do you say "Digi know?" Try saying "Did ya know" and you'll get it. It's a reference to IndigiKnow, our Theory of Change to bring about true health.

Digi know that we hosted our ribbon-cutting ceremony for Thunderbird Treatment Center? And digi know about the 30th Annual SpiritWalk & Warrior Run? Read on to learn more.

Seattle Indian Health Board invites you to join us at Discovery Park in Seattle on October 10 from 9am-1pm. Participate in the 5k Warrior Run or the free 2k SpiritWalk. The proceeds will go to projects supporting Native people in the Seattle area, ensuring everyone has access to culturally attuned health care. Register now to get the early bird rate!

Seattle Indian Health Board hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Vashon Island for the Thunderbird Treatment Center (TTC), a new 92-bed inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center.

TTC will be the largest of its kind in King County, increasing the county’s inpatient bed count by 51%. 

Watch the video below to learn more about TTC.

Our very own Esther Lucero (Diné) has been named one of the region's Most Admired CEOs by the Puget Sound Business Journal! 

The award recognizes the area’s most inspiring chief executives and the contributions they make in their communities. As President and CEO of SIHB since 2015, Esther has expanded our clinics and positioned SIHB as a leader in health both regionally and nationally. 

The Impact of Federal Funding Cuts to Violence-Related Programs

A new Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) report, Sacred Responsibility, details the impact of federal funding cuts on services for Native survivors of violence. Of 201 Native-run programs surveyed, 44% have had no choice but to stop—or will soon stop—offering services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and MMIP.

Learn more about the impact and what needs to be done to ensure resources are protected.

Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) addressing the House Committee on Natural Resources on the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples 

UIHI has brought together 20 Native aunties who offer powerful messages of encouragement, identity, and belonging for Indigenous youth navigating life’s challenges.

A toll-free hotline is available for youth to receive these messages: 855-831-1343.

Listen as our aunties offer valuable advice for daily living.

Three recent graduates of SIHB’s MSW program continue their professional journeys with SIHB as full-time Intensive Case Workers/Mental Health Therapists.

Introducing Dr. Elizabeth Parks (Kānaka Maoli, Hawaiian), SIHB’s Chief Health Officer and family medicine provider! We caught up with her for a Q&A so you can get to know her better.

Seattle Times

Seattle clinics and resident doctors heartbroken by hospital cuts

Following budget cuts, Providence Swedish residents will no longer see patients at SIHB in next cycle. 
Dr. Ashvini Vaidya, Providence Swedish resident, SIHB, and Dr. Elizabeth Parks (Kanaka Maoli, Hawaiian), Chief Medical Officer, SIHB

Seattle Times

Thunderbird Treatment Center prepares to open on Vashon Island

New center will represent a significant expansion of residential treatment beds in King County.
Esther Lucero (Diné), President and CEO, SIHB

Stateline

Indigenous violence survivors see fewer services after federal cuts
A U.S. House committee hearing raised questions about public safety resources in Indian Country.

Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee), Executive Vice President, SIHB

Social Media Highlights

SIHB Canoe Takes its First Journey!

Led by our Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) team, our canoe provides a cultural and spiritual way to help heal and strengthen our families and communities.

30 Years of Moving Together

To celebrate 30 years of SpiritWalk & Warrior Run, we reflected on the anniversary with photos from the very first event in 1996.

Join us for Family Saturdays!

We invite our families with children to visit our International District clinic on the third Saturday of each month for medical and dental appointments. They also have the opportunity to engage in arts and crafts and get photos taken for back-to-school.

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Seattle Indian Health Board relies upon the support of readers like you to continue our work. When you give to SIHB, you are directly supporting high-quality care for each of our relatives. Your generosity strengthens the health of urban Indians in Seattle, King County, and beyond.