Strengthening Tribal Practicing and Increasing Access to Cultural Traditions for American Indians in Southern California - United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) will plan, develop, and implement a project designed to increase social and cultural connectedness resulting in the increased adoption of healthy practices and reduce chronic illness. Through healthy living practices we will increase cultural awareness, and promote healthy activity for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) living in Los Angeles County. This project will expand current programs and services that have been viable and legitimate within our current client population, and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our community. Focusing on 3 primary strategies that will yield short and long-term outcomes. Each strategy, builds on the resiliency of previous generations as we look inward to improve opportunities for future generations to improve the health and wellness of our community. The goals and objectives of the program include: 1) Provide intergenerational learning opportunities that support wellbeing and resiliency through a partnership that will exchange cultural, and current, knowledge through a forum composed of youth and elders. 2) Provide cultural teachings about traditional healthy foods to promote health, sustenance, and sustainability through the creation of a traditional gardening program. This program will build on the lessons learned during the time of the COVID pandemic to bring together youth, adults, and community partners to learn more about how we feed our body and our soul. 3) With the support of our partners, UAII will provide traditional and contemporary physical activities that strengthen wellbeing. Our plan is to support a traditional archery program for youth, adults, and elders that will share our cultural traditions and build cultural connectedness through healthy activities, team sports, and tribal partnerships.
