The month of December is here and we would like to reflect upon the unforgettable Year 2020, what it
has taught us and to prepare our readers for the upcoming holiday season in the era of COVID-19. This year was a time where everything slowed down – literally, everything – but, the offset to the fear was
courage and perseverance! Our Native Youth gathered, listened to one another and provided examples for self-care during a stressful time. Their collective voices demonstrated #indigiLOVE begins with I.
As we rapidly approach the end of 2020, much anticipation mounts for what 2021 could bring. Setting anxiousness aside, we must be grounded in the present as COVID-19 has not gone away. We encourage patience and kindness this holiday season – while being vigilant to protect yourself, loved ones, your home community with recommended safety protocols – so we can, together, celebrate the resilience of Turtle Island with gratitude for yesterday, today, and a hopeful tomorrow.
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World AIDS Day – December 1st |
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Ending the HIV Epidemic in Indian Country and Alaska |
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December 1st is World AIDS Day and in solidarity, native communities are elevating their voices as a call to action to promote health education, to destigmatize the fear and to prevent further spread of HIV, AIDS and STDs amongst vulnerable native people including youth and young adults. Ending the HIV epidemic can be attained, but will require integrated, multi-level public health approaches to address HIV, particularly in rural, resource-limited AI/AN settings. What can your community do to help? |
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Check out the new and improved resource page for the NPAIHB’s Project Red Talon, including educational tools for providers, awareness campaigns for educators, prevention curricula and policy guides. It is worth a bookmark on your favorites web browser bar!
Also, click for data, fact sheet and helpful culturally, age-appropriate resources:
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Text 4 Sex Ed (an HIV/STI text message service for youth): Text SEX to 97779 to receive weekly text messages that can be an effective channel to deliver sexual health information and improve condom use and HIV testing to native teens.
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Talking Is Power (a sexual health text message service for caring adults): Text EMPOWER to 97779 to receive culturally appropriate tips and resources to spark conversations with native youth on sensitive topics such as healthy relationships, condoms, HIV/STDs, consent and pregnancy.
- We R Native Website - My Relationships/STD Page
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Healthy Native Youth Infographic 2020 |
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On August 15, 2020, Healthy Native Youth turned 4 years old! HealthyNativeYouth.org, a one-stop shop educator portal continues to grow and evolve with an array of culturally-relevant adolescent health promotion curricula, inclusive resources and community of practice tools for educators, parents and caring adults who engage today’s American Indian & Alaska Native youth and young adults. We hope that our following will grow amongst our HNY expansive list of programming that we offer – see the HNY Infographic for ideas to explore and get lost in as there is much to see – and spread good cheer with the gift of Healthy Native Youth for yourself, to share with colleagues, friends or relatives! Healthy Native Youth is the gift that keeps on giving!
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COVID-19 Tools & Strategies |
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The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board contributed to an exploratory study to examine how American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) governments and organizations are using social media to share critical health information about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with their citizens. The findings suggest that through social media, AIAN communities and organizations played a crucial role in disseminating reliable culturally adapted risk communication and vital community information to Tribal citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tips & Resources for Community Messaging about COVID-19 |
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In mid-March 2020, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health (NPAIHB) was proactive as one of the first in Indian Country and Alaska to create a tribal portal containing tips, resources and information relevant to COVID-19 for key stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest region and beyond. The tips & resources for community messaging about COVID-19 has been recognized in publication and the popular TeleECHO learning sessions have been insightful amongst participants as a community of learning of how to respond effectively to COVID-19. It takes everyone . Stay Safe. Save Lives.
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Community of Practice
A Learning Collaborative Group
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In 2020, the Healthy Native Youth Community of Practice sessions have been collaborative learning venues for those looking to learn from topical experts on key issues (suicide prevention, domestic violence, vaping & tobacco, youth identity) to how to become oriented in all things virtual (planning for a virtual classroom, virtual adaptations in curricula implementation, using social media to engage youth) in the COVID-19 era. As a community, we are dedicated to our audiences in providing innovative ways to support efforts in working and engaging native youth in learning. If you are interested, text HEALTHY to 97779 or view the upcoming 2021 CoP line up! Along with our community partner, the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence at OHSU, we have three gifts in the month of December!
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Reports & Publications of Interest |
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The report highlights the strength and resilience of Native youth by demonstrating the various ways they continue to lead in fighting for a world they wish to live in.
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Child Trends American Indian/Alaska Native Publications |
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Child Trends is the nation’s leading research organization focused exclusively on improving the lives of children and youth, especially those who are most vulnerable. Community, state, and federal policymakers and practitioners rely on cutting-edge research, independent analyses, actionable recommendations, and clear communications to improve policies and interventions that serve children and their families.
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National Indian Education Association Resources |
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Since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began to spread early this year, National Indian Education Association has engaged with congressional leaders to ensure that our students, schools, and communities have access to the resources needed now and in the coming months. It is more important than ever to protect the safety and well-being of our students, educators, and communities.
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Opportunities and Support for Native Youth |
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Recruiting AI/AN Pacific Northwest Youth to Tailor a Sun Safety Curriculum |
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The Northwest Tribal Comprehensive Cancer Project is recruiting native teens to help tailor a curriculum for High School students on sun safety and early detection of melanoma practices for native youth in the Pacific Northwest. The program is seeking students who are willing to participate in a virtual focus group for curriculum development. Youth who participate will receive a $20 gift card for completing a focus group. Interested eligible high school youth can contact Rosa Frutos, Cancer Project Coordinator here.
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Gift Guide
Health Promotion Text Message Campaigns for Native Youth
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The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board has many culturally relevant text messaging campaigns for native teens and young adults. While home for the holidays, encourage your native youth to sign up for one or multiple campaigns! They can look forward to receiving weekly text messages with motivational tips, helpful resources, inspirational videos and contest opportunities for their health & wellness journey. |
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Positive Affirmations
Cultural Pride & Resilience
Wellness Coaching
Help Seeking Skills
Sexual Health Education
Future Healers
Elevate/Reaffirming Voices in STEM
Two Spirit LGBTQ Health
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Text CARING to 65664
Text NATIVE to 97779
Text FITNESS to 97779
Text BRAVE to 97779
Text SEX to 97779
Text HEALER to 97779
Text STEM to 97779
Text LGBTQ2S to 97779
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Also, the Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Anyone can text NATIVE to 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Counselors are available to support youth in their moments of pain—no matter what they may be. It's always brave to reach out for support. Someone at Crisis Text Line will be there to listen.
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Tribal Health Scholars for High School Students |
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One of the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence’s Initiatives is the Tribal Health Scholars Program, a clinical shadowing externship for AI/AN high school youth to gain exposure to health careers at their own tribal health clinics and build educational pathways through one-on-one coaching. Students are supported and inspired to envision themselves as healthcare professionals and to pursue education required for a career in a healthcare field. Interested in applying or have questions, contact Sarah Rasmussen – Rehkoph at rasmusss@ohsu.edu.
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THS Graduates from Madras High School Warm Springs, Oregon |
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On behalf of the Healthy Native Youth collaborative, we wish you and yours good health, good thoughts and good medicine! Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year! See you all in 2021!
Stay Home.
Stay Safe.
Save Lives.
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