NANAINA

National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association

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NANAINA Newsletter

Spring 2002 Newsletter



Summit VI

“Traditions, Practice, and Leadership: Bridging to the 21st Century”, was the theme for NANAINA’s 2001 Summit VII, held November 28-December 1, 2001, at the Alyeska Prince Hotel.

Due to the tragic events of 9-11, NANAINA made a thoughtful decision to move the conference from the originally scheduled days in September to later in 2001.

Alaska provided a beautiful setting for this annual gathering of AI/AN nurses. Time spent together was comforting and healing, following the national events. We recognize the challenges in rescheduling for speakers and attendees, and heartily express our appreciation for everyone’s understanding!

Opening Session

Old friends and new came together. Hostess for Summit VII was Alaskan, Sandy Haldane, President of NANAINA. Local leaders from the surrounding community participated throughout the conference program. After an inspiring opening presentation by Dr. Bette Keltner, a local expert presented on the many cultures of Alaska. A profound first hand account of “Nurses at Ground Zero”, was given by Phyllis Goodwin, RN, Nurse Manager at ANMC. Ms. Goodwin’s presentation brought home the incredible damage sustained to the World Trade Center area, following 9-11. Pictures taken during her work as a nurse within a Ground Zero first aide station were striking. Her personal stories of caring for rescue workers gave the audience a glimmer of the human impact this event had on those dealing with the recovery effort.

Welcome to Alaska!

A tour of the Alaska Native Medical Center and City of Anchorage provided Summit attendees with a special opportunity to see the local community first hand. Dr. Ted Mala, President, American Association of Indian Physicians, who happens to be from Alaska, welcomed NANAINA Summit participants. Dr. Mala extended an invitation to future partnering opportunities between AAIP and NANAINA.

Current State of Nursing

IHS Principle Nurse Consultant, CAPT Martina Callaghan, gave an informative presentation on the structure of IHS nursing and provided a glimpse of the current and future nursing workforce issues facing IHS. The national nursing shortage is affecting IHS Nursing’s ability to recruit and retain nursing applicants.

Two separate panel presentations, one consisting of nursing students and the other nursing faculty, provided insight into the current reality and success to recruit and retain students within nursing. The personal stories shared by student presenters: Mechem Slim and Pat Boyles were humorous, insightful and reminders to “seasoned” audience participants to reflect on and reclaim their early nursing aspirations. As always, listening to the student perspective of venturing into their nursing career brings such positive energy. The three nursing faculty panel members, Jan Pflugfelder, Jacque Dolberry and Tina DeLapp, provided their success stories for recruitment and retention of nursing students.

Current Initiatives

Dr. Bette Keltner introduced a new venture, “Tobacco Cessation in Native American Communities”, sponsored by the Legacy Foundation. Three sites across the country have been located to participate in this project. Future progress of these three project sites will be communicated to NANAINA. Diana Kupchella, Counsel to the Majority, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, was on hand to discuss current legislation related to Indian healthcare and encouraged audience participants to get involved in their local and state legislative activity.
CAPT Audrey Koertvelessy.

Audrey delivered a motivating presentation to Summit participants, “Making Things Happen in Nursing and in Your Career”. Audrey reflected on her nursing career and the many changes that the nursing profession has experienced over the years. Her message challenged the audience to recognize the five values of nursing: traditions, caring, commitment, compassion and courage.

NANAINA honored Audrey during its annual banquet celebration. Audrey’s professional achievements and her impressive accomplishments on behalf of AI/AN Healthcare and AI/AN nursing are commendable. As always, Audrey inspires fellow NANAINA colleagues with her visionary leadership. Thank you, Audrey!

Best Practice

A number of sessions at Summit VII presented local and national examples of “best practice”. These presentations were given by: ANMC, South-central Foundation, Alaska Division of Senior Services, University of MN, CDC, University of Washington, and Georgetown University. Summit participants had the opportunity to hear about local and national initiatives. Yolanda Talbert delivered an inspiring personal account of “Nursing from a Dog Sled”.

Lisa Dolchok, Tribal Doctor, SCF and Rita Blumenstein, Tribal Doctor, SCF, presented inspirational stories of their life as tribal doctors. They shared with the audience lessons they have learned within their careers and what practice challenges they have experienced. Most notable was their identifying their work as a way of life and not a “job”. Their message was inspirational for all of us within caring professions.

NIH

Dr. Clare Hastings, Nurse Executive, NIH Clinical Center, gave a luncheon presentation, “Turning Research into Practice and Ensuring Nursing’s Role”. Dr. Hastings provided background of nursing’s role within NIH and highlighted the current opportunities to bridge nursing research and nursing practice.

Cancer Update

A panel consisting of: Ann Lanier, Alaska Native Epidemiology Center Director and Melany Cueva, Education Consultant, Community Health Aide Program, presented, “Cancer in AN: Epidemiology & Education”. Panel members shared their expertise and current cancer statistics necessitating intervention. They also discussed initiatives to address cancer incidents.

NANAINA extends a sincere “Thank You” to all Summit VII presenters.

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NANAINA Nurse Spotlight:

*We would like to continue to "spotlight" a NANAINA Nurse in future Nursing Notes and celebrate professional accomplishments.

Please submit contributions to [email protected]

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Historian's Nook

Dr. Karine Crow

*Please submit contributions to this column about the history of Alaska Native and American Indian nursing from your area, state or region to Karine Crow by e-mail to: [email protected].

Along with your submission include your name, address, e-mail and telephone number.

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Honoring Our Elders

Dr. Karine Crow

Please submit contributions to this column related to honoring our elder Alaska Native and American Indian nurses from your area, state or region to Karine Crow, [email protected].

We would like to honor an individual from a different region, tribe, and practice area each newsletter. Along with your submission include your name, address, e-mail, and telephone number.

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NANAINA Leadership

New article coming soon!

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Highlights from Summit VI

Summit VI was a success! The conference was held in northern Minnesota, at Grand Casino on the Mille Lacs Reservation. Each day was filled with dynamic presentations and new learning and lots of laughter.

A special part of every Summit has been our evening banquet. Summit VI's was again an event to celebrate and recognize special people. Erna Burton was honored for her contributions to NANAINA and the healthcare of NA/AI people. Fjola Hart-Wasekeesikaw, President of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, provided the banquet's key address. She brought friendship and shared information about the Canadian Aboriginal Nurses Association. Her remarks were insightful and extended coll

NANAINA's Silent Auction extended throughout the evening and again was successful to raise funds for our NA/AI Nursing Scholarship program. Laughter was not absent from the evening banquet. John Lowe and Barb Dahlen, emceed "Who wants to be a Native Nurse?" inviting audience participation. Teams within the audience were challenged to know their NANAINA facts and NA/AI history. A truly enjoyable evening for all attendees.

A special "thank you" to our hosts, the Mille Las Band of Ojibwe and the Ne-la-Shing Clinic, for all of their on-site assistance.

For more information regarding this year's 2001 - Summit VII— click here!

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Online Web Resources - More Links

To those of you cyber nurses, novice to expert, NANAINA members periodically find websites that might interest other members. Here's some of those, please contribute those you might recommend for reference for NA/AI issues.

Sites sponsored by the American Nurses Association:
http://www.NursingWorld.org - Up to the Minute Nursing News-By Nurses for Nurses

http://www.NursesBooks.org - Latest standards available.

http://www.RNCE.org - Online CE modules; Instant certificates-Scholarly content.

http://www.NursingMall.org - Nurse specific goods and service.

http://www.firstamericans.org - Organization in Los Angeles honoring AI actors.

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Announcements

NANAINA Elects President Elect and Treasurer

Dr. June Strickland, President-Elect
NANAINA’s President-Elect is Dr. June Strickland (Echota Cherokee). Dr. Strickland is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychosocial and Community Health and School of Nursing at the University of Washington. She is also Associate Faculty in American Indian Studies. In addition to authoring and co-authoring numerous publications, Dr. Strickland has been the principle investigator and co-investigator on numerous research studies. Some of her research includes Breast Self Examination with Indian Women, Suicide Prevention in Indian Youth, Early Cancer Detection in Migrant Hispanic Workers, Cervical Cancer and Yakima Women, and Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease. Dr. Strickland received her BSN from University of Alabama and her MS and PhD from the University of Washington. Welcome, June!

Dr. Bette Keltner, Treasurer
Dr. Keltner is a familiar face to NANAINA Summit Attendees. Dr. Keltner has been a PHN for over 25 years. She is currently Dean at Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her work is in the field of disability and cultural competence is prominent in practice, research, and system development. Dr. Keltner has been professor, senior scientist and research administrator in major universities holding appointments in nursing, psychology, and public health. Dr. Keltner is a founding member and treasurer of the National Coalition for Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations. Welcome, Bette!

Thank You to Sandy Haldane, Past President and Janice Givan, Past Treasurer!
At Summit VII, NANAINA Members took the opportunity to express their great appreciation to Sandy Haldane for her support, time and dedication to the organization during her time as President. Under her leadership NANAINA accomplished an organizational Strategic Plan, critical for the future of the organization. Many other activities attest to Sandy’s commitment to advancing the AI/AN nursing profession and improving the health of AI/AN people.

Summit Attendees also honored Janice Givan, a very important person in the organization transformation over the past four years. Janice has played a key role in fiscal accountability and management of funds. Please thank her, as she has been instrumental to manage financial demands as NANAINA has grown. Thank you, Janice!


2002 National American Indian Nursing Education Conference

The University of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, hosted this year’s conference in April. Presentation highlights included: Dr. Roxanne Struthers, speaking on faculty development and on-line teaching strategies for cultural sensitivity; Dr. John Lowe presented student research; Dr. Cecelia Zorn correlated the rhythm of dance to the rhythm of leadership in nursing; Dr. Felicia Hodge presented her successful work with Talking Circles; Beverly Patchell gave an inspiring talk entitled, “Spirit, Power and Wellness”. US Representative Ron Kind visited the conference and delivered remarks to attendees.

A site visit to the HoChunk Nation Health Clinic, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, was interesting for participants. HoChunk Nation Heritage presenter, Suzette LeMere, provided an overview of the HoChunk people and life ways. The final session of the conference took place at Beaver Creek Reserve in rural Wisconsin. A beautiful setting for an inspiring gathering of faculty, AI/AN students and nurses!


Nomination Open for NANAINA: Secretary

Nominations are open for one position on the Board of NANAINA: Secretary. For detailed information regarding the position responsibilities or to submit nominations, contact Nominating Committee Chair:
Lillian Tom-Orme, RN, MPH, PhD, FAAN
Health Research Center/DFPM, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Phone : 801-585-5246
Fax : 801-585-0900
[email protected]


NANAINA Speakers Bureau:

NANAINA’s membership includes a wide variety of expertise that can be provided to others. Through the NANINA Speaker’s Bureau members can share their expertise with others interested in AI/AN health care issues. By establishing a speaker’s bureau, NANAINA hopes to make a difference in improving the health care of AI/AN people as well as expand its service to communities nationwide that provide health care to AI/AN people.

If you have expertise in an area of nursing specific to AI/AN populations and would like to share that expertise in the manner of a public speaker, please call NANAINA @ 1-888-566-8773.

NANAINA will publicize the fact that it has a speaker’s bureau and be able to fulfill requests that may arise from organizations looking for nurses with expertise in AI/AN health care issues. It will be expected that requesting organizations pay travel, per diem and honorarium for the speaker.


Advertisement Space is Available
through the NANAINA Nursing Notes newsletter.

For more information, please contact:


Janis Givan, RN, MPH
25813 145th Place SE
Kent, WA 98042
253-593-0232 phone
253-272-6138 fax
[email protected]


NANAINA Items For Sale!

See our Online Store for order forms and more information

A variety of NANAINA items are for sale.

Sweatshirts in colors:
White and ash M-3X..............$20

Long Sleeve T-shirts:
White and ash M-3X..............$15

Short Sleeve T-shirts:
White and ash M-3X..............$12
NANAINA Logo Pin.................$10


NANAINA Logo Note cards:
Set of 15……………….........……..$10
Postage and Handling:...........$ 5/pound

Please contact:

Janis Givan at:
1-253-593-0107, M-F, 8am-5pm
and reference NANAINA for more specific ordering information.


2000 NANAINA Board of Directors - Meet the Current Board

President: Sandra Haldene
President-Elect: Lillian Tom-Orme
Treasurer: Janis Givan
Secretary: Sandra Littlejohn
Call 1-888-566-8773 to be put in touch.

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Internet gems

©2001-2008 National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA)
Original Site Design by C. Taha, shawllady.com;
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