"Sharing and Caring." -Traditional Athabascan Value
November is Native American Heritage Month
"
Our history, before our time" - Traditional Kahtnuht'ana Dena'ina Cultural Value
November is Native American Heritage Month. NAHM began in 1986 when American law and proclamation recognized "American Indian Week." November is a time to celebrate diversity, a good opportunity to listen and learn about local, national and global cultures. We are delighted to share current resources and programs that celebrate Indigenous cultures in the United States and elsewhere! For example, Anaana's Tent is an Inuit educational website that aims to promote literacy, math and social skills among preschool age children. Tune in to the television series for fun characters and learning experiences using the Inuktitut language. Parents: learn more here. If you are interested in an interactive activity for older youth and adults, check out Never Alone, a game developed by CITC Enterprises, Inc. Never Alone delves deep into the stories of the Iñupiat people of Alaska, offering a rich cultural experience.
We recognize NAHM each November, but perhaps every day we can do our best to appreciate diverse cultures in our clinics, schools, workplaces, and in our own lives with our friends, family and community members.
Every year organizations around the globe come together to recognize
World AIDS Day (WAD). Founded in 1988, WAD is the very first global health day. WAD is an opportunity for people and organizations to unite to fight against HIV, to remember the lives we've lost to HIV/AIDS, and importantly, to show support for those living with HIV. HIV was identified as a virus in 1984. With modern medicine, we know that people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. However, the stigma against HIV still exists, impacting the health and safety of those who do have HIV. Let's take the time to learn more about HIV and to have conversations that can contribute to preventing HIV. If you are in Anchorage join the
Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (4A's) and partnering organizations for a
candlelight vigil and quilt show in honor of WAD on Saturday, December 1 at UAA.
Undetectable = Untransmittable
People living with HIV and receive health care often take Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Many people who take this medicine as prescribed can achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load. Maintaining an undetectable HIV viral load essentially eliminates the risk of transmitting the virus through sexual contact. Learn more about the U=U campaign from the
Undetectable = Untrasmittable website.
In honor of WAD we are excited to bring back the original Wrap It Up condoms. A big thank you to the
State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology, HIV/STD Prevention Program for making this possible! To order these condoms for your organization simply go to
iknowmine.org and write the note
"World AIDS Day special" in the "Notes or Instructions" order form indicating that you'd like the original Wrap It Up condoms. Spawn safely this WAD and beyond!
Healthy Native Youth - Community of Practice Webinars
HNY Staff in Houston, TX
We welcome you to join the
Healthy Native Youth (HNY) Community of Practice virtual monthly meetings. The audience is teachers, educators, prevention specialists--people who share a passion for improving the lives of Native youth.
Consider joining the Healthy Native Youth Listserve to receive updates and Community of Practice reminders. You can join by texting "YouthNews" to 22828 or email the Northwest Portland Indian Area Health Board (NPAIHB) at native@npaihb.org.
Picture of the Month
In October IKM Staff and volunteer staff from ANTHC Community Health Services joined together to assemble Narcan kits. As part of the ANMC Strategic Initiative the ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention and Wellness and Prevention programs are excited to be able to distribute Narcan kits in response to possible opioid overdose. Narcan kits can potentially save lives and provide a path to safety and recovery for our community members in Alaska. To learn more about Narcan kits and opioid overdose visit the
State of Alaska's website sponsored by Project Hope.
