Affirming identity and the importance for our youth

“It is our nature to be whole and to be together. We are born into a circle of family, community, living creatures and the land.” - Dr. Alexandria Wilson, Two-Spirit professor from Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

It is important for our Native youth and communities to know that there are many gender identities and expressions. These terms and identities are evolving as we mature and learn more about ourselves. How one identifies today may be different from how they identify in the future.

This month’s newsletter includes resources for Two Spirit-LGBTQ+ youth and other helpful tools for your school and community to affirm our diverse relatives – Proud Every Day!

Celebrating Pride

New HNY Resource Page:

Sharing Resources to Support Inclusive, Holistic Programming

Here are a few culturally-relevant health resources to support our diverse youth and relatives.

• Gender Pronouns 101: The use of correct name and pronouns is one way to support people’s identity. View this 1-minute video for ideas.

• Celebrating our Magic Toolkit: Culturally specific resources for American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Resources aim to provide resources for transgender and two spirit youth, their relatives, and their healthcare providers.

• 2SLGBTQ+ 101 Community of Practice: Learn how we can build strong communities that are inclusive of our 2SLGBTQ+ native youth within our school and community health programs.

Visit the new Healthy Native Youth Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Page for more helpful tools!

Safe Spaces:

Loved Here, Safe Here Social Marketing Campaign

The creation of safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces is important to provide holistic wellness for 2SLGBTQ+ relatives. For many Native youth, having the knowledge that 2SLGBTQ+ accomplices exist across their tribal community can help create a welcoming environment.

The Loved Here, Safe Here media campaign materials - posters, magnets, window clings, social media images and Zoom backgrounds - are readily available to order, download, print, and share housed on our Native Health Resources page.

Paths (Re)Membered Project:

Mental Health Services for 2SLGBTQ+ Persons ages 15 years and older

Two Spirit-LGBTQ+ youth and young adults can connect with an affirming mental health professional. Services are currently offered in 40 U.S. states. A completed form can start the process to make a connection for support. 

Note: This is not a mental health crisis line, and submissions to this form are NOT monitored 24/7. It may take up to five business days to receive a response. If you or another are experiencing a mental health crisis, please dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text NATIVE to 741741 to chat with the Crisis Text Line.

Stories from the Field:

Celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ Relatives is a Year-round Event! 

In August 2023, the Tulalip Tribes hosted two community events back-to back to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to bring accomplices together to increase awareness of community health services.



The two-part Tulalip Wellness Youth Summit had an estimated 200+ participants that engaged youth-serving professionals on trauma-informed education, creating 2SLGBTQ+ affirming environments, utilizing culturally relevant resources and other helpful tools. The second part of the Summit engaged youth and families in conversations about various resources for Native youth! 

In addition, the Tribe also hosted their 2nd Annual Pride Everyday BBQ that had a number of fun activities with a live music, dance offs, runway show, baby contest and much more!

• Read Tulalip newspaper article on the PRIDE event
• View PRIDE BBQ video

In the Field - June 29th:

NPAIHB Adolescent Health 2SLGBTQ+ Resources Table

If you are in the Seattle area, stop by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board booth to learn more about 2SLGBTQ+ Resources for individuals, providers, accomplices, and communities! 

June 12th: Celebrating Culture & Community 101

Finishing Year 6 strong! Register today and join us for a school year finale! We understand if you can't make it. We have all the recorded sessions + handouts available in the HNY Resource Library for easy access.

Healthy Native Youth wants to hear from you - how are we doing and how can we better serve you?

Scan the QR code to give us feedback or click here for our evaluation page.

Thank you for your continued support! We will see you in the fall with a whole new schedule and topical lineup!

NW NARCH Research Academy:

Inspiring the next generation of Public Health Professionals

Kudos to our amazing mentors! Thank you for all you do!

The NW NARCH Academy program at the NPAIHB is getting ready to welcome a new group of students for the 2024-2025 Academy. Planning is underway for an in-person kick off gathering in June!

UNITY Annual Conference 2024 in Portland, Oregon

Come visit We R Native’s Ask Your Relative team and the Healthy Native Youth team at the 2024 National UNITY Conference from June 29-July 3^rd in Portland, Oregon!

Both teams will be providing presentations, an exhibition booth, and support to UNITY staff with program events!

There is still time to register to attend!

Register here!

Cultural Pride

www.healthynativeyouth.org

www.npaihb.org/thrive

www.wernative.org

www.pathsremembered.org

www.npaihb.org/project-red-talonpprojec

www.indiancountryecho.org

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