Great Lakes NARCH - Expanding Community Partnerships

Abstract: GLNARCH OVERALL This Great Lakes Native American Research Centers for Health (GLNARCH) application aligns established partnerships to promote a network of resources for AI/AN programs as well as support ongoing successful initiatives. We have identified opportunities to establish synergistic education, training, and research within the Indian Health Service Bemidji Region with increased focus on including Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). This application proposes an unprecedented endeavor to engage AI/AN populations in an indigenized (culturally responsive) research and training agenda. This agenda will follow the common AI/AN cultural theme of holistic health and wellness connected to the land and the unique natural resources of the Great Lakes region. The Student Career Enhancement Project (SCEP) proposes exciting updates to the highly successful program that will expose AI/AN students to remote learning, thereby connecting them in an indigenous styled network whilst also preparing them for 21st century education. The Capacity Building Project (referred to as NEHR) is responsive to recent experiences and evaluation reports to seek even better research networks and resource sharing within the GLNARCH service area, which is geographically broad and underfunded. The Native American Environmental Health Research (NERH) network will better engage TCUs and tribal serving institutions. The pilot project, “Healing from Within”, is an integrated strength-based, survivor-led, and culturally specific investigation to address the intersecting barriers to help- seeking for American Indian women after experiences of gender-based violence. The proposed team has successfully implemented over 17 years of successful and impactful GLNARCH programming. They possess the necessary skills, institutional environment, and connections to execute these aims.