Zoom Background

IHEAL: Indigenous Health Educators Alliance

Tuesday, November 21, 2023
12:00-1:00 pm MST

Register Here
 

Mary Owen, MD    

Dr. Owen is a member of the Auk Kwaan Tribe of the Tlingit people. She is the Associate Dean of Native American Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. On graduation from the University of Minnesota Medical School and Family Practice Residency Program, she returned home to work for her tribal community in Juneau, Alaska. In 2014, after eleven years of full-scope family medicine, she returned to the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth as the Director of the Center of American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH). Her work includes: developing regional and national programs to increase the numbers of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students entering medical careers, outreaching to local and national Native leaders to ensure that the University of Minnesota Medical School remains in tune with AIAN healthcare and education needs, teaching medical students and health care providers important components of providing healthcare to AIAN communities and developing research efforts to address AIAN health disparities. She continues to provide clinical care at the Center of American Indian Resources in Duluth and is the immediate Past-President of the Association of American Indian Physicians.  

Learning Objectives:  

• Introduce and broaden interest and support for IHEAL within the AAIP community.  
• Expand the IHEAL community to support a greater number of Indigenous medical academics.  
• Introduce and support an IHEAL writing collective to AAIP members.

Sponsored by the UNM Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

An Introduction to Traditional Healing in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Monday, November 27, 2023
12:00 -1:00 pm MST

Register Here
  

Presenters:

Alec Calac (Luiseño), Public Health MD-PhD Candidate
UC San Diego Medical Scientist Training Program
UCSD-SDSU Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health

Hailey Baker, MD Candidate
3 ^rd Year, Medical Student  
University of Minnesota Medical School

Learning Objectives: 

• Introduce trainees to the application and use of traditional healing practices in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
• Describe the literature that supports the integration of traditional healing practices with medical services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
• Propose small-scale demonstration projects that assess the impact of traditional healing practices on health outcomes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Sponsored by the UNM Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

UNM Health & Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Excellence Award for Native American Heritage Month

Friday, December 1, 2023
12:00 – 1:00pm MST

Register Here

This event will honor individuals/groups/teams/organizations who have exhibited clinical, research, educational, community engaged, and/or DEI related excellence in support of Native and Indigenous peoples. 

2023 Awardees

The Weaving Colors Team: Autism and the Native Community Center for Development & Disability

Lynette Torivio, CFPSW, Family Specialist – Autism Programs, University of New Mexico

Lynette is a parent advocate and the mother to a beautiful young lady with Autism.  Both Lynette and her daughter are members of the Pueblo of Acoma.

Lynette is a Family Specialist and Certified Family Peer Support Worker with the Autism Family and Provider Resource team at UNM Center for Development & Disability. As a Family Specialist and parent advocate, Lynette supports families in all areas related to ASD. Before working at the Autism Programs, Lynette worked to support families through the New Mexico Autism Society, and as a former board member for the State of New Mexico’s Parent Training Information Center - Education for Parents of Indian Children with Disabilities. Lynette is a participant and graduate from UNM's Partners in Policymaking.

Jennifer Sanchez, CFPSW – Autism Programs, University of New Mexico

Jennifer is a parent advocate and mother to three amazing kids; her 2 sons are on the Autism Spectrum. She has earned a degree in General & Special Education and has been active in New Mexico’s Autism non-profit organizations for the past 10 years. She has served on the executive board of the NM Autism Society and is currently the Secretary for Elevate the Spectrum where she also co-chairs the Policy Committee.

Professionally, Jennifer is a certified family peer support worker and works as a Family and Provider Resource Specialist at the UNM Center for Development & Disability in the Autism Programs where she is dedicated to assisting families, providers, and individuals in locating resources and navigating the various systems surrounding an autism diagnosis. In addition to her work at the university, Jennifer sits as Secretary on the executive committee for the NM Developmental Disabilities Council where she plays an active role on the Education and Health & Human Services sub-committees. She is a recent LEND graduate.

Meagan Brey, Training Support Analyst, Autism Programs, University of New Mexico

Meagan has worked for the University of New Mexico Autism Programs since 2018.  Since joining the university, she has worked with the SAFE Feeding, Prenatal Exposure, Neurocognitive Assessment Clinic, and Parent Home Training Programs.  In addition to her administrative role with Weaving Colors:  Autism and the Native Community, she also supports many programs including Hilos Sobre El Autismo, the Imagine Training Series, Partners in Policymaking as well as all Autism Community trainings. A mom of three amazing girls, one of which has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and ADHD, Meagan is a strong advocate in the disability community.  This passion is what led her to work in the disability field.

Penny Frost, M.Ed. Education Consultant – Autism Programs, University of New Mexico

Penny Frost is an education consultant with the University of New Mexico’s Center for Development and Disability Autism Programs.  She holds a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and has over twenty-five years of experience in a variety of Child and Family Advocacy roles.  In addition to her role on Weaving Colors:  Autism and the Native Community, she serves on several teams which are dedicated to making communities more accessible for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities and their families.  Penny is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and is currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate Program in Autism Spectrum Disorder at New Mexico State University.

Native American Heritage Month
November 2022

Zoom Background

Register for an Event
 

The Fire Oak Dance Group

November 3
BBRP Plaza
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST

The Fire Oak Dance Group is a Pueblo dance group from the Pueblos of Jemez and Cochiti. Fire Oak has been sharing and showcasing their Pueblo songs and dances for numerous years.

University of Washington School of Medicine’s Indian Health Pathway, a National Model for an Indigenous Health Curriculum

November 10
12:00 – 1:00 PM MDT
Join us via Zoom - Registration link at the top

Speaker:

Jason Deen, MD
Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine

Learning Objectives:

• Description of the School of Medicine’s Indian Health Pathway;
• Update on best practices in helping Native American students thrive along educational continuum;
• Available resources and opportunities for schools to consider developing an Indian Health Pathway.
  
  

Development and Impact of the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
12:00 – 1:00 PM MDT
Join us via Zoom - Registration link at the top

Speaker:

Erik Brodt, MD
Associate Professor of Family Medicine,
Director, Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE)
Oregon Health & Science University

Learning Objectives:

• Description of the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence;
• Update on best practices in helping Native American students thrive along educational continuum:
• Available resources and opportunities for Native American students who are considering health professions graduate degrees
  
  

Erik (Anishinaabe) grew up near Chippewa Falls, WI and spent summers with family in the rural areas around Bemidji, MN. Dr. Brodt earned his M.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and completed residency in Family Medicine at the Seattle Indian Health Board – Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine Residency in Seattle, WA. Dr. Brodt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, and the Assistant Dean of Native American Health at the OHSU School of Medicine. He practices in the OHSU Hospital inpatient setting and Warm Springs Tribal Health clinic, while also serving as the founding Director of the OHSU Northwest Native American Center of Excellence. Erik is a fierce believer in occasional magic working to eliminate Native health disparities and improve Native American Health Professions programming nationally through creative partnerships and collaborations. An entrepreneur at heart, Erik and his wife Amanda have explored the fashion ecosystem through their global collection Ginew – featured in Vogue & GQ; culinary creativity and sustainable food systems; and the digital media non-profit WE ARE HEALERS. In his free time Dr. Brodt enjoys spending his time in Portland, OR with his wife Amanda, daughter Honukōkūlaniokauna’oa (Honu), their dogs Stinky & Pippa, and a motley crew of friends comprised of change-makers, mavens, and creatives.

Sponsored by the HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Realizing an Indigenous Health Workforce

Tuesday, November 22, 2022
12:00 – 1:00 PM MDT
Join us via Zoom - Registration link at the top

Speakers:

Melissa Begay, MD
Assistant Professor, VA Sleep,
SOM - Internal Medicine
President Emeritus, Association of Native American Medical Students

Alec Calac, MD Candidate
University of San Diego
President, Association of Native American Medical Students

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the importance of developing Native American health professional students to be eventual leaders of academic medical centers;
• Explain the role of ANAMS and other organizations in supporting Native American medical students;
• Describe the need for a Native medical school in the United States
  
  

Melissa Begay, MD
Dr. Begay was raised on the Navajo Nation (Diné). She completed undergraduate studies at Stanford University and received her MD from the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and a Fellowship in Sleep Medicine at UNM Health Sciences. Dr. Begay practices at the New Mexico VA Sleep Center and is an Assistant Professor in the UNM Department of Medicine.

Dr. Begay’s interests include insomnia and PTSD in Native American veterans, digital health technology and increasing the representation of Native American physicians in the health workforce. She is a member of Stanford’s Climate and Health Task Force and is a past board member of the Association of American Indian Physicians . Dr. Begay has received recognition for her work and advocacy in assisting Native American communities during the pandemic. She was recognized as a Hometown Hero by Senator Martin Heinrich and is a recipient of the American College of Physicians New Mexico Chapter Community Service and Volunteerism Award.

Alec Calac, MD Candidate
Alec Calac (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians) is an MD/PhD Student at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science. He graduated from The University of Arizona in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology. He works collaboratively with the Global Health Policy and Data Institute on research projects integrating social media, health technology, health policy, and Tribal public health. He is also interested in medical education and workforce development. He currently serves as the National President of the Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS). In 2022, he was named a 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health by the National Minority Quality Forum and was also chosen to participate in the White House Leaders in Health Equity Roundtable Series.

Sponsored by the HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Native American Heritage Month
November 2021

Zoom Background

Donate Fundraiser Info

The Impact of Federal Policies on Indigenous People in the US

Hosted by the UNM College of Population Health.

Celebrating our Heritage

Keynote Address by Regis Pecos

November 3
1:30 – 2:00 PM MST

Native American Heritage Month Opening Ceremony Zoom Event

November 5
9:00 - 10:00 AM MST

• Opening prayer by former governor of Acoma Pueblo, Greg Ortiz, UNMH Indian Health Contract Specialist
• Opening remarks by Kate Becker, CEO; Sara Frasch, CHRO; and Fabián Armijo Executive Director of DE&I
• Use Passcode 243027
  
  

Join Session

Hosted by UNM Hospitals & Native American Health Services.

Native American Heritage Month Performance by the Cloud Eagle Seasonal Dance Group from the Pueblo of Jemez and the Pueblo of Zuni

November 5
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Livestream will be available here.

The Cloud Eagle Seasonal Dance Group

The dance group, formed in 1990, is led by Lawrence Toya. Lawrence was a member of a Jemez Pueblo dance group that was performing at the New Mexico State Fair in the late 1970’s when he met his wife Ruby N. Toya of the Zuni Pueblo (Shiwi). Ruby was a member of the Zuni Pueblo dance group under the leadership of Chester Mahooty. Lawrence and Ruby, influenced by their cultural heritage and love of song and dance, taught their sons, Glendon and Delvin, to carry on the same cultural values.

The Cloud Eagle Seasonal Dance Group was formed in 1990 to promote the cultures and languages of the Jemez and Zuni Pueblos and is comprised of members from both tribes. Aside from participating at Tribal obligations throughout the year, the Cloud Eagle Seasonal Dance Group also sings and dances at many functions throughout the United States. Dances include the:

• Buffalo Dance represents the winter season, a celebration dance for a successful hunt
• Corn Dance represents the spring season, a prayer dance for a successful crop
• Rainbow Dance represents the summer season, a prayer dance for moisture
• Eagle Dance represents the fall season, a dance for harvest and greatness for what Mother Nature has provided. Through this dance the eagle is asked to take prayers to the outermost stratospheres to ask the creator for many more cycles of this way of life. 
  
  

 Hosted by UNM Hospitals, Native American Health Services, and the HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Honoring the Trust Responsibility

Using the University Land Grant System to Address Longstanding Indian Health Physician Shortages

November 5
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Speaker:
Alec Calac
Public Health MD-PhD Student
Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians

Hosted by HSC Center for Native American Health.

The Role of National Organizations in Facilitating American Indian & Alaska Native Engagement & Representation in the Health Professions

November 9
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Moderator: TBD
Speaker(s): Nicole Stern, MD

Learning Objectives: 

1. Describe the role of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) identified organizations in championing AI/AN identity in the health professions;  
2. Outline prior achievements of organization in facilitating AI/AN inclusion in the health professions;  
3. List opportunities for learners, faculty, and staff to work with AI/AN identified organization to support change; 
4. How to be an AI/AN-identified physician in a non-Native space or institution.
   
   

Join Session

Hosted by UNM HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Health Through a Native Lens Lunch Series

Community Asset Mapping: Empowering Communities to Greater Health

November 16
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST
Domenici Center North Wing
Room 2740

Hosted by NHI (Native Health Initiative).

Reflections on Championing Indigenous Identity in Medicine & Academic Medicine

November 16
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Moderator: Melissa Begay MD
Speaker(s): Mary J. Owen, MD, Tlingit, President, Association of American Indian Physicians, Director, Center of American Indian and Minority Health, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School

Learning Objectives: 

1. Describe Indigenous representation in medicine and academic medicine; 
2. Describe her own journey in medicine and academic medicine;  
3. List practices and resources to support indigenous learners, staff, and faculty in serving as health professional leaders. 
   
   

Honoring the History of the Bernalillo County Hospital and its Role in Addressing Native American Health & Social Inequities

November 18
5:00 - 6:00 PM MST

Speaker:
Frank Chaves
Sandia Pueblo, Council

Moderator:
Melissa Begay

1. Learn about the history of the Bernalillo County Hospital and the perspective of the Pueblo Governors of that time 
2. Understand how past Native health and social inequities have evolved over time and influenced current issues  
3. Discover ways in which we may improve our relationships with local New Mexico Native American communities
   
   

Hosted by UNM HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Native Health Initiative’s 6th Annual Gratitude-Run-Walk-Bike

November 25
9:00 AM MST
North Domingo Baca Park
7521 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Register

Hosted by NHI (Native Health Initiative).

Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence & Advocacy in Tribal Communities

November 29
12:00 PM MST

Speaker:
Jolene Holgate

The Month of November is Native American Heritage Month. This year CAUSE invites you to join us in learning from the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. Their mission: To stop violence against Native women and children by advocating for social change in our communities. The CSVANW takes ownership and responsibility for the future of Native women and children by providing support, education, and advocacy using our strengths, power, and unity to create violence-free communities. This training qualifies for IPE Honors.

Jolene is a Diné (Navajo) woman intent on creating social change in Indigenous communities with hopes to address challenges and develop pathways toward solutions to protect women and children. For nearly six years Jolene worked with elected Navajo leadership engaging in policy advocacy to address areas of human trafficking, sexual and domestic violence, cyberbullying, and Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives. After her time with the Navajo Nation, she transitioned to community organizing to take a community-based approach to the missing and murdered crisis in Dinétah with the goal of elevating the voices of survivors and families, recovering missing relatives, and calling for justice. She remains committed to supporting Indigenous community healing, empowerment, and awareness in her role at CSVANW. Jolene received concurrent bachelor’s degrees in American Indian Studies and Political Science, and her master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. In her leisure time, you can find her hiking, taking pictures, fishing, being a cat mom, road tripping, baking, playing with makeup, and trying to keep up with her Netflix watch list.

Hosted by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and UNM Women's Resource Center.

Native American Heritage Month

Game Night

November 5

4:00 - 5:30 PM MST

Join CNAH for a virtual game night! We will be playing Jeopardy to test our knowledge on Native American topics. Students who register and participate will be entered into a gift card drawing!

Who should attend? Current and Prospective Native American UNM Health Sciences students, and HSC staff and faculty.

Indigenous Health and Advocacy

November 12

12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Moderator:
J.P. Sánchez MD, MPH,
Interim Executive Diversity Officer, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Senior Advisor, HSC Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Featured Speakers:
Governor Brian Vallo, Acoma Pueblo

Conroy Chino, Acoma Pueblo,
Former television reporter and news anchor and producer (Looking Toward Home, Surviving Columbus, and Ancient Pathways) 

Tribal and State Leaders will help workshop participants better understand how to advocate for Indigenous Health at the local, regional, and national level, especially in reducing the burden of COVID-19 within indigenous communities and in advancing the presence of indigenous peoples in the field of health.

Who should attend? All are welcome.

Social and Structural Determinants of Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Health

November 17

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM MST

Moderator:
Micah Clark

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Andrea Garcia

A 90-minute interactive, open-access workshop aimed at increasing faculty and trainee understanding of the social and structural determinants of urban AIAN health. This workshop provides an interactive and effective method to increase participant knowledge of the importance of a land acknowledgment, of connecting Federal Indian Policy to health outcomes, and of how AIAN identity may impact access to health care.

Who should attend? All are welcome.

Decolonization, Indigenization and Reconciliation in Health Professions Education

November 19

12:00 - 1:30 PM MST

Moderator:
Dr. Carolyn Montoya

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Margaret Moss

Dr. Moss provides a perspective often missed from our traditional educational systems about Native American history and the subsequent health outcomes rooted in it. Supported by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant (#T94HP30902)

Who should attend? All are welcome.

Cooking 3 Sisters Soup

November 19

4:00 - 5:30 PM MST

Cook along with CNAH Program Assistants via Zoom and make this excellent fall dish, Three Sisters Soup. Bring your favorite traditional recipe to share with everyone!

Who should attend? Current and Prospective Native American UNM Health Sciences students, and HSC staff and faculty.

Indigenous Health and Advocacy

November 24

12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Moderator:
Norman J. Cooeyate, MCRP,
Tribal Relations Liaison, Center for Native American Health, UNM Health Sciences Center

Featured Speakers:
Representative Georgene Louis,
District 26, House of Representatives, New Mexico

President Nez,
Navajo Nation

Tribal and State Leaders will help workshop participants better understand how to advocate for Indigenous Health at the local, regional, and national level, especially in reducing the burden of COVID-19 within indigenous communities and in advancing the presence of indigenous peoples in the field of health.

Who should attend? All are welcome.

A Conversation with NM Representative Derrick Lente

November 30

12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Featured Speaker:
Representative Derrick Lente,
District 65, House of Representatives, New Mexico

Higher education has had significant impacts on the health and wellness of American Indian tribes, pueblos, and nations. Join us for a special conversation with NM Rep. Lente (Isleta/Sandia Pueblo) about the importance of a health professions education.

Who should attend? All are welcome.