Tribal Activities

About Collaborations & Engagement

PARTNERSHIPS WITH TRIBAL COMMUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

The SWEHSC has a strong commitment to assist Tribal communities with their interest in science and concern for the health of their people and environments. New partnerships are welcome and collaborative opportunities are persistently explored. For more information about collaborative opportunities click here.

TRIBAL FORUMS FOR HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Semi annually (2015, 2017, 2019) the SWEHSC works with funders and Tribal partners to create Tribal Forums to address environmental health issues, to share successful resolution of community issues and to build capacity to respond to long-term and immediate environmental impacts on human health and our environment. This is an open forum for tribal community members, educators, tribal environmental and health professionals, university professionals and students to explore and create action plans for the important environmental issues that impact the health of tribal communities.

PRINCIPLES FOR TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH & EDUCATION

The SWEHSC is a resource to support Tribal communities in collective efforts to create and maintain healthy communities. The SWEHSC Engagement Core creates project based on the following principles.

  • The goal of community engagement and outreach is to collaborate with tribal communities in addressing environmental issues that are influencing human health.
  • The intention is for long term relationships that are sustained by a mutual benefit for the Center and the tribe.
  • Native perspectives about science and the environment are incorporated into each project.
  • The commitment extends to promoting the importance of including community members and leaders in the design of the research, obtaining data and in disseminating the results.
  • It is vitally important to have tribal partners involved at all stages in the design of a project. Learning and incorporating tribal viewpoints into problem-solving methods.
  • The SWEHSC is also committed to providing community education, opportunities for all Native youth, and training to be able to serve one’s own community.
  • SWEHSC project train tribal members to assist with projects and studies, thus there is a focus on capacity building within tribal communities.
  • The SWEHSC team consults with tribal partners about interest in and the benefits of creating an advisory committee to oversee the study. Such boards are appointed by the local community to guide university staff and investigators through cultural differences. They assist in making respectful and suitable connections with the leadership in the community.
  • Completion of a project results in a well-thought collaborative report back with and to the community.

INDIGENOUS STEWARDS MAGAZINE

The Indigenous Stewards publication grew out of the SWEHSC respect, understanding, and desire to acknowledge work performed by tribal professionals, students and community members who are working towards initiatives to create a healthy and positive environment. It was created to focus on Indigenous VOICES to be heard and shared about topics related to human health and the environment of Indigenous communities. Read Indigenous Stewards online here.

The magazine features current, youth, scholars, leaders and tribal community members’ journeys that provides a sense of empowerment, informing our neighbors, and providing resources for all to utilize. Many of the stories stem from the efforts to support future generations with 7 MINDFUL APPROACHES:

  1. Listening to Native students and professionals to support dialogue
  2. Being informed of local issues impacting Native Americans
  3. Initiating self-education about tribal sovereignty and tribal policies
  4. Acknowledging place because college campuses are located on ancestral lands of Native Peoples
  5. Educating the larger community on issues facing Native students
  6. Developing familiarity with native-centered support services on campus
  7. Promoting that Native students come from people who are strong and resilient