Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
Historically, American Indian communities have been stripped of their autonomy, knowledge and skills, and the social systems that once enabled healthy living. Through the lens of self-determination theory, this could point to a reason why, nationally, American Indians have higher rates of chronic disease than other racial and ethnic groups. A 2014 community needs assessment showed that among Detroit?s native community, 69% are obese or overweight, 26% have diabetes or pre-diabetes, and 21 % experience very low food security. The research indicates that when the needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness are met, self-motivation and mental health are improved; conversely, when these needs are unmet it can lead to a decline in motivation and overall wellbeing. 1American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS), otherwise known as Minobinmaadziwin (Ojibwe translation for ?A Good Life?) aims to enhance the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being of Native American families and other underserved populations through culturally grounded health services. Knowing that culture continues to be a source of resilience and strength, AIHFS will engage communities in participatory planning and decision-making processes to identify and implement culturally-based wellness practices. To accomplish this, AIHFS will focus on the following CDC strategies:oSeasonal cultural and traditional practices that support health and wellnessActivity 1: Design a Minobimaadziwin (?Good Life?) Wellness retreat. Activity 2: Implement seasonal wellness calendar with Detroit community. oTribal, Inter-Tribal, governmental, and nongovernmental collaborations that strengthen wellbeingActivity 1: Partner with 3 tribal communities or AI/AN organizations to facilitate local wellness retreats and create their own seasonal wellness calendars. Activity 2: Create and disseminate a calendar including community seasonal activities.Activity 3: Host ToPs Facilitations Training wit h partner communities to strengthen partner facilitation skills.oSocial and cultural activities that promote community wellnessActivity 1: Coordinate Minobimaabziwin Celebrations that include seasonal teachings, traditional physical activity, and traditional foods. Activity 2: Coordinate skills-based workshops that promote traditional diets and traditional physical activities. In year 3, representatives from partner-communities will convene for a digital storytelling workshop. This will allow each community to share their experience of implementing the wellness calendar and the impact this project has on their community. Working locally on integrating traditional knowledge while collaborating with partner-communities will help create an increased understanding and engagement in these activities, locally and regionally, therefore improving wellness in our communities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
