NACA’s Lasting Indigenous Family Enrichment (L.I.F.E.) program will provide traditional activities and introduce innovative physical health modalities to help community develop and improve their well-being. L.I.F.E. will focus on Middle childhood (ages 11-14) youth who are moving through developmental stage where encouragement is needed from adults and when physical activity is important for their developing body. With parents, extended family, elders, and community, L.I.F.E. will guide participants through traditional and contemporary activities to reduce risk factors to establish healthier living, such as through a youth coalition, adult nutrition and exercise classes, traditional running activities, contemporary physical health strategies, cultural gardening activities and engage with Indigenous knowledge keepers.
L.I.F.E.’s Project Strategies:
1. Family and community activities that connect teachings to health and wellness
2. Cultural teaching and practices about traditional healthy food to promote health, sustenance, and sustainability.
3. Traditional and contemporary physical activities that strengthen wellbeing.
L.I.F.E.’s Short-term Outcomes:
1. Increase the number of youth and community members participating in intergenerational programs offered that support wellbeing and
resilience
2. Increase the number of community members participating in activities that teach traditional and contemporary physical activities
3. Increase the number of community members participating in social and/or tribal cultural activities conducted to learn about tobacco
use, healthy food, physical activity, and lifestyle practices.
L.I.F.E.’s Intermediate Outcomes:
i. Increase sense of cultural connectedness.
ii. Increase sense of social connectedness.
iii. Increase consumption of health traditional foods and/or increase physical activity.
L.I.F.E.’s Long Term Outcomes
1. Reduce morbidity and mortality due to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
2. Increase resilience to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, through cultural practices and knowledge.
