Celebrating Native American Culture and Contributions to Science
In fall, THRO celebrates National Native American Heritage Month, a special opportunity for us to highlight American Indian and Alaska Native culture, ingenuity, and contributions to biomedical research. Be sure to join us for events in November, see our yearly posters, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for NIH Tribal health research highlights and shareable information all month long – and beyond!
November 2024
Native American Heritage Month
"I am the data, the data is me"
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) celebrates Native American Heritage month, in which we honor the many contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Islanders in improving the health and well-being of Native populations and populations across the United States and the World. We look to give light to the voices and vision of AI/AN populations in health data centered around indigenous data sovereignty practices.
This year, the theme for NIH THRO is “I am the data, the data is me: Uplifting Indigenous data visibility, voices, and sovereignty”. THRO recognizes that often AI/AN communities are erased or rendered invisible through being “Othered” in health data, while also recognizing the flip side in which there are documented research harms when AI/AN communities have not been properly consulted or consented. Our theme this year celebrates rendering visible the invisible - ensuring our AI/AN voices and vision are reflected in health data and that the terms of that data are centered in Indigenous data sovereignty practices.
Please join us in recognizing the importance of “I am the data, the data is me: Uplifting Indigenous data visibility, voices, and sovereignty” and celebrating those that contribute toward uplifting the voices and visibility of Native people in health and health research.
Native American Heritage Month Activities:
- Join us in honoring Native American Heritage Month through our photo showcase! We welcome American Indians or Alaska Natives to submit an original photo, connecting to our 2024 theme “I am the date, the data is me”, to help raise awareness about Indigenous data sovereignty—Native people’s right to control their data. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Learn more about the Photo Showcase and how to submit.
- THRO will highlight four Native Researchers during Native American Heritage month.
- Upcoming Presentations: Join us for these insightful sessions as we work together to build a future grounded in respect, self-determination, and cultural integrity for Indigenous data and health research.
- November 26, 2024, 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET
"I am the data, the data is me!”: Centering Culture and Indigenist Ethics and Principles in Building an Indigenous Reference Genome”
Panel Discussion with Dr. Alex Brown (Yuin/Djuwin Nation), Dr. Krystal Tsosie (Diné/Navajo Nation), and Dr. Phillip Wilcox (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine)
Link: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=55379 - November 27, 2024, 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET
“Building Healthful Indigenous Futures: Indigenous Science, Ways of Knowing, and Indigenous Data Sovereignty”
Presentation and Discussion with Dr. Gregory Cajete (Tewa, Santa Clara Pueblo)
Link: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=55364
- November 26, 2024, 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET
- Preview the events and activities taking place across NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services during Native American Health Month. If you require a 508-compliant version of this document, please send a message to: [email protected].
- We are pleased to share a number of resources for Native American Heritage Month. If you require a 508-compliant version of this document, please send a message to: [email protected].
November 1, 2023
Native American Heritage Month Lectures and Information
During Native American Heritage Month, THRO Director Dr. Karina Walters will be offering two lectures about Native health. Please join us!
November 3, 2023, 1:00 p.m. ET
Dr. Walters will present, “Watering the Seeds of AI/AN Ancestral Love and Wisdom to Create Healthful Families and Generations,” as a featured speaker for the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), part of the Administration for Children and Families. After the presentation, Dr. Walters and ANA Commissioner Patrice Kunesh will talk together about issues related to the health of Native children and families. Learn more and register.
November 7, 2023, 2:00 p.m. ET
The NIH Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute will host a presentation by Dr. Walters, “Beyond Survivance: Thrivance Among American Indian and Alaska Native Cancer Survivors.” Learn more and register.
THRO’s 2023 Native American Heritage Month poster kicks off our yearlong theme “Indigenous Knowledges Powering Science” and features the artwork of Zuni Pueblo artist, Mallery Quetawki. She created Healing Spirit, 2018, P42 ES025589 (UNM METALS), to showcase Native cultures’ connectedness to the land, air, and water. By combining Indigenous Knowledges with academic training in science and research, the Crow woman in the center pushes back the negative effects of pollution and mining on Tribal lands. She represents the many Native people doing research every day to improve health for future generations. Learn more about Healing Spirit and see more of Mallery’s art.
November 16, 2022
Native American Heritage Month Annual Guest Lecture
Protecting the Health of Future Generations Through Community-Based Research and Actions: Working in Partnership with the Tribes of Sivuqaq, Alaska
Join THRO and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) on Wednesday, November 16 at 3 p.m. ET for the annual Native American Heritage Month guest lecture. Learn about NIEHS-funded environmental health research in Alaska with co-presenters Pamela Miller and Viola “Vi” Waghiyi, of the Alaska Community Action on Toxics. They will share stories about the region and how this collaborative research began and discuss their decades of experience conducting community-based participatory research with local Tribes, including how their work has been informed by traditional and community knowledge, a summary of findings, and policy actions and interventions to protect health. Watch live: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=46388
November 17, 2021
Native American Heritage Month Annual Guest Lecture
Interconnectedness of Culture and Science
Dr. Donald Warne, of the University of North Dakota, offered a virtual guest lecture about the interconnectedness of Native culture and science. Watch the recorded lecture and read the overview summarizing his key observations.
November 10, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, THRO was working with Tribal Nations during Native American Heritage Month and throughout the year to rapidly respond to urgent questions and information needs. THRO hosted an NIH-wide educational meeting about how to effectively communicate important health information to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, featuring speakers from the Indian Health Service and Johns Hopkins University. No public event was held.
November 18, 2019
Native American Heritage Month Annual Guest Lecture
Substance Use and Mental Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Dr. Melissa Walls, of Johns Hopkins University, offered a lecture about substance use and mental health in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
November 19, 2018
Native American Heritage Month Annual Guest Lecture
American Indian Therapeutic Traditions
Dr. Joseph Gone, of Harvard University, offered a lecture about American Indian therapeutic traditions and modern health treatments.
November 9, 2017
Native American Heritage Month Annual Guest Lecture
Organically Synthesizing Solutions to Increasing Native American Participation in Chemistry
Dr. Eric J. Sorensen, Ph.D., of Princeton University, offered a lecture about his research in organic chemistry synthesis and the challenges of increasing Native American participation in chemistry.
November 28, 2016
Native American Heritage Month Storytelling Challenge
Health and Wellness in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, THRO announced a video storytelling challenge to create awareness around American Indian and Alaska Native culture and how it supports health and well-being in Tribal communities. Winning submissions were selected in 2017. View the selected videos.
Resources and Information: Culture, Research, and Health
Blog Post: How to Effectively Communicate About Tribal Health Research
Dr. David R. Wilson, the director of THRO, shares his thoughts in a post on NIH’s Science, Health, and Public Trust blog about the importance of understanding the history of Tribes in the U.S. to better communicate with and about American Indians and Alaska Natives.
I Strengthen My Nation Challenge Winners
American Indian and Alaska Native communities have inherent strengths and cultures that foster healthy communities. NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse and We R Native asked youth ages 14-25 to share their ideas about Indigenous resilience to substance misuse through art or community projects for the I Strengthen My Nation Challenge competition. Young people from 37 Tribal Nations showcased their creativity, strength, and passion for enhancing health in their communities. View the video replay celebrating Challenge winners.
Student Spotlight with Leah Nez
In a Q&A with THRO, Leah Nez discusses her background, experience as a post baccalaureate fellow with NIH, her path to studying bioethics, and advice for other students interested in science research and health.
NIH Traditional Medicine Summit Report
The NIH Traditional Medicine Summit Report details a historic gathering for NIH that provided a foundation for integrating traditional healing knowledge with research.