Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country - The Northern Arapaho Tribe seeks a Cooperative Agreement from the CDC for a Tribal Practice to Wellness program. The program represents a partnership between the tribal Wind River Family and Community Health Care Systems (?WR Cares?), the provider of Indian Health Care Services under an Indian Self ? Determination and Education Act contract with the Northern Arapaho Tribe, and the Elders Society, Northern Arapaho Tribe to increase understanding of tribal practices that strengthen physical and mental health, well-being, tribal identity, and connection to culture to better support the work tribes and their members do to stay healthy and well.The health disparities faced by the Northern Arapaho Tribe are significant, higher that national figures and highest in the State of Wyoming. The Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR), home to the Northern Arapaho Tribe, has the lowest average of death in all of Indian County at age 53. Those who abuse drugs and alcohol die even younger with an average age of death of 32 despite the WRIR having the lowest consumption of alcohol in the state of Wyoming. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores rank at the top end of the scale due to this mortality and the trauma of early death within families and the reason those deaths occur. Trauma is a major cause of chronic disease as is the poverty found at Wind River where the health disparities of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer strike down those who do not die due to the injuries that are a major cause of death (homicide, suicide, and substance involved motor vehicle crashes.) Research has shown that Tribal practices that build resiliency and connections American Indians to community, family, and culture, can over time, can reduce risk factors for chronic disease. However, many people for whom alcohol/drugs has become their culture are unfamiliar with who they really are. Many others have lost family over time who did not or could not convey the strength and healing that our culture, language and traditions contain. The Elders Society is comprised of the ceremonial leaders of the Northern Arapaho tribe, those who carry out ceremonies that reflect the beliefs, language, values, and history of the People. They join with WR Cares to engage in a collaborative Tribal Practices model of care. This Tribal Practices approach provides for shared knowledge between western primary health and behavioral health care providers and traditional and ceremonial Elders, consultation, and group learning for connection to cultural teachings and practices. Strategies to be employed will: connect cultural teachings to health and wellness, provide collaborations that strengthen well-being, and enable inter-generational learning that supports well-being and resilience.$138,941.90 per year is being requested for a three-year program total of $416,825.70
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).