UIHS TOBACCO PROJECT

Pregnancy & Commercial Tobacco Storytelling Group

Elidia Adams-Loya, Health Promotion & Education Specialist, NATIVE Tobacco Project United

Indian Health Services

Our NATIVE Tobacco Project offered a storytelling training & group last year. This training was offered to Tribal Elders and Pregnant UIHS clients in the community. Local storytellers Charlene Storr and Carol Larson shared the importance of storytelling and were able to share some of their own personal stories. They also encouraged and gave tips to community members on creating their own stories. The NATIVE Tobacco Team provided education on the dangers of commercial tobacco and resources for quitting.

The storytelling group was able to meet monthly, they were able to create stories based around their own personal experiences with commercial tobacco use. The stories that they created were so moving and inspiring. Their stories discussed the impacts using commercial tobacco products had on their health, but also the changes they made in their life when they found out they were expecting. Some of our moms shared some of the strategies they had taken to quit and how effective the strategies they had taken were. Elders shared information about how our next generations are our future and their health is of the utmost importance. The elders that were a part of our storytelling group were so helpful because they shared stories about how they had used commercial tobacco products for years and how hard it was to kick the habit; it was a big eye opener for our pregnant moms.

Our storytelling group was able to create 8 different stories during this period. One story that was shared by a local Yurok tribal member was: “I first started smoking when I was 11 years old. I used to steal lucky strike cigarettes from my parents. I quit smoking when I was pregnant, it would make me sick if I smoked but I still craved nicotine. I used to go to bingo with my mom just to be able to breathe in the air and ease my cravings, I smoked off and on for 40 years. I started having health problems and needed to have a major operation, so I had to quit. I started taking a cigarette and pretended to smoke it without lighting it. I would take a cigarette, put it to my lips and draw in deeply then blow out pretend smoke until I would feel satisfied. Eventually I didn't need to anymore. I've been smoke free for 2 years now.”

United Indian Health Services’, NATIVE Tobacco Project is providing a Pregnancy & Commercial Tobacco workshop that addresses issues such as dangers of smoking & using commercial tobacco during pregnancy and the dangers of second and third-hand smoke to children who are exposed. This workshop is available upon request, so please feel free to reach out to our organization if you would like to schedule this informational workshop.

Public Notice

SUMMONSAND NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTIONAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERAND REQUEST FOR DECLARATION OFABANDONMENT OF PROPERTY IN THE TOLOWADEE NI’NATION TRIBALCOURT SMITH RIVER, CALIFORNIA.

Case: Richards v. Richards, Case Nos. DV-23-002 and CIV-23-001

Petitioner, Floyd and Cheryl Richards

Respondent, Shawntay Richards

ARequest for a Permanent Injunction and Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DV-23-002) and a Request forAbandonment of Property (CIV-23-001) has been filed by Floyd and Cheryl Richards against Shawntay Richards in the Tolowa Dee-ni’Nation Tribal Court. Copies of the Requests may be obtained at the Tribal Court or by emailing Tribal CourtAdministrator Elsie Petrie at elsie.petrie@tolowa.com. The Tribal Court has set a hearing on this matter for September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Tribal Court at 110 First Street, Suite B, Smith River, CA95567. You have a right to personally appear at this hearing and be represented by legal counsel. If you fail to appear at this hearing or other hearings in theses matter without good cause, the Tribal Court may find that you have waived your legal rights. Please contact the Tribal Court at 707-487-6425 with any questions, to obtain a copy of the Requests, or to arrange an appearance by phone or Zoom for the September 7, 2023 hearing.

Wildfire season is amongst us! How can this affect the air quality and what can you do?

How does wildfires affect the air quality?

• Smoke from wildfires contain chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm your health. Breathing in fine particles in the air, which can reduce lung function, worsen asthma and any other existing heart and lung conditions, which may cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

How long can wildfire smoke stay in the air?

• Smoke from wildfires can linger in the atmosphere for up to a couple of weeks as it spreads. Smoke particles in the air chemically react with trace radicals (molecules with unpaired electrons) to undergo the oxidation process.

For more information on how to prepare for wildfire season in California visit the CAL Fire website at www.fire.ca.gov/prepare