Minobinmaadziwin
“A Good Life”
January 2017March 2017
Greetings from Ashley Tuomi, CEO... Łax̣ayam, It’s surprising how quickly a year can go by. This has been a truly busy yet amazing year. Some of you may not know that I have also taken on the responsibility of being the President of the National Council of Urban Indian Health. This has allowed me to represent the interests of Urban Indians at a national level as we fight for the health needs of our Natives living in urban communities. This wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful staff here at AIHFS that work with me while I’m travelling or participating in meetings. I also want to say a huge thank you to William Dial “Uncle Bill” who was instrumental in renovating our basement that was damaged in the flood over two years ago. It was a long process but we finally have that space back and can hold our wonderful programs there again.
Aanii from
We have a lot of great things happening here at AIHFS and I know that 2017 will bring many other great activities. I look forward to seeing you all at our events and various programs.
AIHFS!
Ashley Tuomi Inside this issue: Cervical Health
2
Advisory Council
3
Winter Car Seat Safety
4
Heart Month
5
Colorectal Health
5
Sacred Roots
6
Sacred Bundle
8
Youth Group
9
What Moves You?
10
Tax Time
11
Native Quote
11
Support AIHFS
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Chief Executive Officer
Men’s Society Get out of that chair and come break bread with the guys! Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm fun and friendship is waiting for you. Come and participate in activities, talking circles and hear guest speakers. Refreshments are provided! Among other activities, in the coming months we are hoping to learn some drum teachings, make hand drums, and make drum sticks. All you have to do is get out of the chair and come on down! Limited transportation is available. Please contact Keith Dayson at AIHFS at (313) 846-6030.
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Cervical Health Awareness Month by Dr. Kachman
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and The good news? AIHFS wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do The HPV vaccine (shot) can prevent HPV. to prevent cervical cancer! From 1978-1981, AI/AN Cervical cancer can often be prevented with women had the highest cervical cancer occurrence of regular screening tests (called Pap tests) all ethnic/racial groups (22.6/100,000 cases). From and follow-up care. 2000-2004, AI/AN women had the lowest rate AIHFS encourages: (6.6/100,000 cases). But in 2010, the rate was going Women to start getting regular Pap tests at back up: 9.4/100,000 cases. age 21. Parents to make sure pre-teens get the HPV HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common vaccine at age 11 or 12 infection that spreads through sexual activity. It is also Teens and young adults also need to get the a major cause of cervical cancer. About 79 million HPV vaccine if they didn’t get it as preAmericans currently have HPV, but many people with teens. Women up to age 26 and men up to HPV don’t know they are infected. age 21 can still get the vaccine.
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Community Advisory Council (CAC) by John Marcus
As of this writing the winter solstice is almost here. This means it’s time to slow down for some reflection. Many tribes use this upcoming season for storytelling. In this spirit, I hope everyone hears some good stories to reflect upon. Back in August we had a system of care update by Bob Davis, the AIHFS System of Care Project Director. Bob did a great job by drawing a diagram to make clearer the set-up of the system of care system and how AIHFS fits into this network. He also notified the participants that the system of care is looking for additional advisory members to be on their advisory board. In September we had a presentation by Bob Davis on the Title VII program, whose purpose is to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. There currently is not a Title VII program in Detroit public schools. Part of the reason for that may be due to undercounting. Detroit public schools currently believe there are only 70 AI/AN students attending their system. One of the items discussed to improve the possibility of having a Title VII program was to contact the school board. In October we did a needs assessment by the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension program. We had a tremendous turnout of 21 participants for that night. Some of the issues raised that night were affordable housing, transportation challenges, lack of civic engagement, relevant job training, decolonizing the food system and fatherhood programs. We went around the circle sharing our opinions and it was very helpful in bringing together a good representation of what MSU extension may want to offer in future trainings as part of their extension programming. Lastly, if you haven’t been to a community advisory council, come check it out. Everyone is welcome. We provide dinner and have a door prize drawing. John Marcus, phone 313-846-6030 x1402 email: jmarcus@aihfs.org
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Winter Car Seat Safety By Aimee Cisler Winter is a tricky time for car seats. We want baby to be warm, but bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat. These tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will help parents strike that perfect balance between keeping little ones warm as well as safely buckled in their car seats.
Bring the infant seat inside when you aren’t using it. Keeping the seat warm will help keep your child cozy in the car. Dress your child in thin layers. Start with close-fitting layers on the bottom, like tights, leggings, and longsleeved bodysuits. Then add pants and a warmer top, like a sweater or thermal-knit shirt. Your child can wear a thin jacket over the top. In very cold weather, long underwear is also a good option. As a general rule of thumb, infants should wear one more layer than adults outside. If you have a hat and a coat on, your infant will probably need a hat, coat, and blanket. Don't forget hats, mittens, and socks. These help keep kids warm but also keep car seat straps safe. Tighten the straps of the car seat harness. Even if your child looks snuggly bundled up in the car seat, multiple layers may make it difficult to tighten the harness enough. If you can pinch the straps of the car seat harness, then it needs to be tightened to fit snugly against your child's chest. Use a coat or blanket over the straps. You can add a blanket over the top of the harness straps or put your child's winter coat on backwards (over the buckled harness straps) after he or she is buckled up. Keep in mind that the top layer should be removable so your baby doesn't get too hot after the car warms up. Be sure to leave baby's face uncovered to avoid trapped air and re-breathing. Nothing should ever go underneath your child's body or between her body and the harness straps. Many retailers carry car seat bundling products that are not safe to use in a car seat. Just because it's on the shelf at the store does not mean it is safe! Remember, if the item did not come with the car seat, it has not been crash tested and may interfere with the protection provided in a crash. These precautions can make sure your child is as safe as can be when traveling to their next adventure! Adapted from “Winter Car Seat Safety Tips from the AAP” by Healthy Children https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-thego/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx
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American Heart Month by Dr. Kachman February is American Heart Month! Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all men and women including AI/AN peoples. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, AIHFS is proudly participating in American Heart Month. AIHFS recommends making an appointment to have your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol checked. AIHFS offers Wellness visits to provide a personal health evaluation. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk: Watch your weight. Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Get active and eat healthy. Basket by Ann Mitchell (Mohawk)
March: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US but it is the second most common cancer among AI/AN men and women (following lung cancer-see the American Indian Cancer Foundation website). The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that’s why it’s so important to get screened. AIHFS is proudly participating in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we can help with your screenings: AIHFS has two at-home colon cancer screening options that may work for you. AIHFS can help you arrange for a colonoscopy at a health center near you. People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you are African American, smoke, or have a family history of colorectal cancer. Everyone can take these healthy steps to prevent colorectal cancer: Get screened starting at age 50. Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Get plenty of physical activity and eat healthy.
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Sacred Roots Reaches Out to the World By Shiloh Maples Every two years, Slow Food movement leaders and communities convene at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, to share the diversity of good, clean, and fair food found all over the world. Delegates from over 150 countries are chosen for their ability to represent their unique traditions and Slow Food success stories, as well as their capacity to bring lessons, ideas, and relationships to help meet the challenges they face at home.
This year AIHFS's Sacred Roots team was invited to help represent Detroit and the new Turtle Island Association of Slow Food at the conference held in September in Turin, Italy. The mission of the Sacred Roots program is to work in partnership with the community to create a future free from chronic disease and to pass on a legacy of wellness. The project strives to engage and mobilize community members in building healthier environments, policies, and relationships—to achieve immediate and lasting change in our community, families, and lives. Our team of staff and community alliance look for guidance for good health in our ancestral roots, hence the name Sacred Roots; and it was an incredible honor to be given the opportunity to share the work we are doing in southeast Michigan around revitalizing traditional foods for good health with the global community. Attending Terra Madre was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with indigenous communities from around the world and to gain insight on strategies for sustainable food systems in urban and tribal communities. We attended many presentations and panels including, among others, a talk by Winona LaDuke; one on "The Commons: Nomadism, Pastoralism, and Custodianship, and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples"; and "Biodiversity, Resilience, and Global Challenges" at the Indigenous Terra Madre Network. Attending these sessions broadened our understanding of the challenges facing local food systems, helped to draw connections with issues in our southeast Michigan community, and learn about the innovative work people are doing to protect and preserve their foodways. Being selected for this historic event is a special honor, because Slow Food has recognized the Sacred Roots team’s commitment toward increasing healthy food access in Detroit as well as our passion for preserving our food heritage. The Sacred Roots team looks forward to sharing more insights and lessons from the conference at the next BALAC grantee meeting and future coalition meetings. For more information about the Sacred Roots program or find out when our next community meeting will be, contact Shiloh or Rosebud at (313) 846-3718 ext. 1403.
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Manidookewigashkibjigan Sacred Bundle Project
AIHFS will be planning some trainings in the next couple of months including ASIST and safeTALK! Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day workshop that teaches participants to carry out life-saving interventions for people at risk of suicide. safeTALK is a half-day workshop that prepares participants to identify people with thoughts of suicide and connect them with life-saving first aid resources. To register or to get more information, please contact Karen Marshall or Lauren Lockhart at KMarshall@AIHFS.org or (313) 846-6030. CHECK US OUT ONLINE! http://www.facebook.com/SacredBundleHealingHelpers https://twitter.com/sacredbundlehh
Do you make under $64,000? File your 2016 income taxes for free! Simply go to www.aihfs.org and click on the free taxes banner. If you don’t have internet access at home AIHFS has a community computer at our facility with internet access available to clients to prepare your tax returns. It is easy, safe, secure and 100% Free!
Women’s Society
Welcome to Women’s Society ( aka Women’s Circle). We have been away and now we are back! We are Women and we are strong! We are ready for any challenges that come our way through the power of sisterhood. Join us on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm for food, fun, and activities. Come join women with a purpose to change their lives and their community. Limited transportation is provided. Please contact Shelly Hinshaw @ (313)846-6030
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Dream Seekers Host Elders’ Feast By Joe Reilly, LLMSW
In November the Dream Seekers Youth Program hosted the 2nd annual Youth and Elders’ Feast at AIHFS. Prior to the feast the youth helped with food preparation, making tobacco ties, and writing questions to ask the elders. Connie Pashenee and Kirk Schuyler donated food as well as their time and expert cooking skills to prepare the delicious feast. More than 70 people attended and everyone enjoyed the wonderful food and community fellowship. The youth served food and drinks to the elders and sang them an honor song. Several elders joined the question and answer panel and shared their wisdom and experience with the youth. The night concluded with a giveaway of gifts for the elders. We are thankful to our staff, interns, volunteers, youth, and elders who made the night a great success!
Youth Preparing plates for the elders.
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Native Quote “Tolo knelt down on the bright, warm ground and held his hands open to the flames. ‘Thank you, grandfather,’ he said in his heart, but it seemed to him that his voice rang like a bell and made an echo among the trees. The fire filled him with gladness and peace, and he peered into it, dreaming.” -N. Scott Momaday, from the Circle of Wonder, A Native American Christmas Story
Missed this newsletter in your mailbox or email inbox? To receive the newsletters, please email John Marcus jmarcus@aihfs.org to be added to the AIHFS email list. If you need a hard copy mailed to you, please call the front desk and give them your information to be added to the mailing list. If you change your address, please let us know. We want to keep you updated on all the events at American Indian Health and Family Services.
How to Support AIHFS! Only with your support can AIHFS continue to try to meet the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing needs of Native American families and other underserved populations in Southeastern Michigan. Additionally, as a 501(c)(3), your generous support is tax-deductible.
Won't you make a donation today to help us get closer to meeting these needs? To donate by check or money order, please send payable to: American Indian Health & Family Services P.O. Box 810, Dearborn, MI 48121-0810
To donate online: www.aihfs.org/donate.html
Want to learn more about what’s going on at AIHFS? Follow us on the web! facebook.com/aihfs
@AIHFS_Detroit
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American Indian Health & Family Services, Inc P.O. Box 810 Dearborn, MI 48121 Return Service Requested
NEW Clinic Hours: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursdays Friday
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Clinic: 313-846-6030
Seeking Board Members! The AIHFS Board of Directors is looking for new members! If you have a passion for the Native Community, Wellness programs and services, Accounting, Finance, Development or Fundraising, please consider applying! In order to be considered please submit letter of intent and resume to: American Indian Health and Family Services, ATTN: Nickole Fox PO Box 810, Dearborn, MI 48121 and/or email: nfox@aihfs.org
Here at AIHFS we offer great care & services for your health care needs. If there is anything we can be more helpful with, please let us know!
Services Provided at AIHFS Medical Services Women's Care Maternal Health Diabetes Health & Education Substance Abuse Counseling Behavioral Health Counseling Dream Seekers Youth Program Tobacco Cessation Native Healthy Start Insurance Enrollments
Health Education & Outreach Immunizations & Flu Shots HIV/AIDS Testing & Referrals Sweat Lodge Community Garden Cooking Classes Annual Events Fitness Classes Visit us at: www.aihfs.org