Newsletter
From the Assistant Director
by Tabitha Whitefoot, Assistant Director of the Native American Student and Community Center
First to our annual report: 448 events were held at the Center in the 2005-06 year - trainings, meetings, conferences, meals, dances, parties and celebrations attended by a number of tribal leaders and elected officials. This number includes the sessions of credit classes (as one event); capstone courses, study groups, and impromptu gatherins are not included, but are the true strength of the Center. We would like to thank all those who paid fees to use the space: lease fees keep the doors open for many activities and student opportunities. It is our sincere hope that your needs were met and that the Center provided a comfortable and effective meeting place for you.
The students use the Center's resources regularly and are always devising new ways to reach maximum density. Last year we hosted a number of events that spotlighted new Native American artists and performers, storytellers and plays.
One major goal this year is to help our partners with some fundraising activities in the coming months and expand our offerings.
Senior lunches continue on second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
The 0-4 age playgroup meets every Wednesday at 10:30am.
I encourage anyone who has not yet spent any time in the Center to come in and get to know our students. But be forewarned; if you are here you will probably end up involved in the activity of the moment.
Current partners with the NASCC include the Native People's Circle of Hope, the Native American Parents of Students with Disabilities, the Northwest Indian Veteran's Association, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, the Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network, the Native American Youth and Family Center, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Title VII Indian Education, and Wisdom of the Elders.
It has been an exciting year and we are working to make the Center meet the goals set forth by the University and the community. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we are doing. Onward to 2007-2007!
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UISHE Participates in NARA, NW Suicide Prevention Grant
UISHE is participating with NARA, NW in the No More Fallen Feathers grant program from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for youth suicide prevention. In collaboration with NARA's statewide effort to implement culturally based youth suicide intervention and prevention strategies, UISHE will focus on Native American youth ages 10-24, as well as their families and communities in the Portland Metropolitan area. The program goals are to support youth and community's emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well being by linking them to traditional cultural and spiritual practices, provide linkages to existing youth suicide prevention resources, create a viable local plan linked to state efforts, train community members and service providers as gatekeepers to identity at-risk behaviors and raise community awareness about suicide.
Rudy Soto, co-coordinator of UISHE and UISHE member Becka Sanders participated in a conference in South Dakota to become acquainted with and identify risk factors specific to Native youth. They along with other PSU staff attended Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) designed to teach the skills to competently and confidently intervene with a youth at risk of suicide. We are also hoping to recruit a group of community 'gatekeepers' who will be trained in risk factor identification and intervention techniques in their schools, amont their peers, and community. We encourage everyone interested in becoming involved with this program to please call the NASCC (503) 725-9695, one of the No More Fallen Feathers coordinators will contact you.
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Fall 2006 Newsletter
Native Studies
By Tim Garrison, Director of Native American Studies
UISHE
By Rudy Soto, UISHE Co-Coordinator
AISES
By Marcie Foster, AISES Co-Coordinator
Student Services Coordinator
By , PSU Coordinator for Native American Student Services
NACA
By Judy BlueHorse Skelton, NACA Co-Chair
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