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National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association

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NANAINA Newsletter

Spring 2003 Newsletter



Presidents Report by Lillian Tom-Orme, President, NANAINA

Hello NANAINA members and friends,

Springtime is a time for new life and for renewal. It is also a time of giving thanks to the winter season for its gifts and for the lasting marks that were left by loved ones who may not have survived the winter. In this spirit, let's think of how we may give new energy to our organization while we celebrate its achievements.

At the summer board meeting, the important work and responsibilities of committees and subcommittees were reviewed. Today, I am challenging committee chairs to pull together your committee, review and update its charges, and identify and prioritize a scope of work for the year. Items that require immediate attention before or by Summit IX will need action soon.

This year the Summit will be multidisciplinary. Everyone needs to recruit new members and ask them to come to the Summit, as well as invite other new Summit attendees. Your assistance is also needed and appreciated in identifying Summit co-sponsorships.

Please enjoy the springtime and its abundance.

Minorities in the Pipeline, A Forum

As a member of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Associations (NCEMNA), Lillian Tom-Orme attended the National Black Nurses Foundation Reception on February 6, 2003. This event preceded the National Black Nurses Foundation’s second Issues Forum, Minorities in the Pipeline, held February 7th-9th, 2003 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. Below is a summary from a March 4, 2003, press release.

The Under Representation of African Americans and Other Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Nursing Workforce at this Time in Nursing’s History Is Unacceptable!

The lack of African American and other racial and ethnic minority registered nurses in the 2.2 million registered nurses workforce is appalling according to speakers and participants of the Minorities in the Pipeline Forum. It is time for organizations such as the National Black Nurses Association and other Ethnic Nurses Associations to demand a more aggressive approach to increase the number of minorities in the registered nurses workforce. A number of actions and strategies will be circulated to national and state policy makers and other nursing organizations related to the necessity of increasing more minorities in the pipeline; and how to upgrade and retain those already in the workforce.

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NANAINA Summit IX - Sept. 25-28, 2003

Association and other Ethnic Nurses Associations to demand a more aggressive approach to increase the number of minorities in the registered nurses workforce. A number of actions and strategies will be circulated to national and state policy makers and other nursing organizations related to the necessity of increasing more minorities in the pipeline; and how to upgrade and retain those already in the workforce.
Summit IX, September 25-28, 2003

"Caring for Self Promotes Caring for Others Throughout the Four Seasons of Life" will be the theme for the annual NANAINA Summit, to be held at Yarrow Resort, Park City, Utah, located in the beautiful Wawsatch Mountains.

Call for Summit Posters

NANAINA would like to encourage all members and interested friends of Indian nursing to submit poster abstracts for Summit IX in Utah. It is essential that Indian nurses give updates and share original research with others. NANAINA welcomes completed research projects and work in progress. Instructions for abstracts: on the abstract cover sheet include Poster Title; author(s') name(s); credentials; agency/school address; phone numbers (home, work, and fax). Submit to:

Martha C. Baker PH.D., RN, CS, CCRN
Associate Professor
Department of Nursing
Missouri Southern State College
3950 E Newman Rd.
Joplin, MO 64804
Phone 417-625-9628 Fax 417-625-3186

E-mail: [email protected]

For More Information about Summit IX
Get descriptions of the venue at www.yarrowresort.com and www.parkcityinfo.com.
Exhibitor forms, registration forms, hotel information; and posters are available on http://www.nanainanurses.org

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Treasurer's Report - by Bette Keltner, Treasurer, NANAINA

National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Associations (NCEMNA)

NANA-INA is a founding member of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Associations (NCEMNA). Officers from five nursing organizations are current representative members. These organizations include NANA-INA, National Hispanic Nurse Association (NAHN), National Black Nurse Association (NBNA), Philippine Nurse Association of America (PNAA), and the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurse Association (AAPINA).

NANAINA members serve NCEMNA. Dr. Bette Keltner, NANA-INA past President and current Treasurer, is Treasurer for NCEMNA. Also, Dr. Lillian Tom-Orme and Dr. June Strickland are members of the NCEMA board.

NCEMNA submitted a grant proposal to NIGMS on Feb 1, 2003 in a cooperative effort to promote the development of minority nurse scientists over the next five years. The underlying rationale for this need is to address the health disparities in health outcomes and the serious shortage of senior minority nurse researchers to address these problems. NCEMNA proposes to augment the number of ethnic minority nurse researchers initiating, conducting, and maintaining programs of research. The five minority nurse organizations will work together to:
Create a network of ethnic minority nurse researchers;


Develop mechanisms to support engaging ethnic minority research-ers at all levels;


Engaging ethnic minority students to consider nursing research as a career trajectory; and


Evaluate the attainment of each aim. The activities involved in this project would be annual NCEMNA conferences and sponsoring a research conference with a different member organization each year.

Collaborating with other ethnic minority nurse organizations helps to leverage NANA-INA's mission and capacity. There are many common interests and concerns across the five representative communities: diabetes, mental health, domestic violence, and marginalized services. It is an interesting and unique opportunity to join this group.

Treasurer's Financial Summary:

In 2002, NANAINA took in $4,530 in membership dues. The Summit meeting in Oklahoma City attracted 92 attendees and brought in a net profit of $10,149. Of that, $1,905 was revenue from the silent auction, which will be used to fund merit awards.

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Meet June Strickland, NANAINA President-Elect by June Strickland

As Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington, I have faculty administrative committee duties, teaching, research, and community service responsibilities. People may not be aware that teaching is only part of a faculty’s responsibility.

Committees: Currently, I serve on our School of Nursing Faculty Executive Council. In this council, we address governance issues and plan regular, monthly faculty meetings. I also Chair the Advanced Community Health Nursing track that gives direction to issues such as the curriculum, recruitment of students, and coordination with other tracks.

Teaching: This quarter I am teaching a required graduate course in our Community Health Program. This course prepares students to understand assessment, community partnership building, how to utilize skills like interviewing, observation, participant observation, and instrument development/survey questionnaire development.

Research: About 30% of my time is spent in research grants with other faculty across campus. I am also a Principal Investigator on a research grant with the Nooksack Tribe.

Community Service: Much of my community service is linked to the National Cancer Institute Indian Initiative and the Cancer Information Service. Last week, we worked with the Nooksack Tribe to provide a one-day workshop for their home-based, cancer prevention educators. I mentor a number of Indian students in the School of Nursing and Social Work. They are a joy to watch. To witness our young people working hard to get needed education to make future community contributions is gratifying.

Typical Days: I start off by taking a walk across campus with two Indian students from Social Work whom I mentor. They talk to me about their school and other issues, and they help me get much needed exercise that helps me prepare for winter ceremonies. They want to learn to make things to provide in the "give aways." Then I go back to the School of Nursing and facilitate the Community Health faculty meeting from 10-12:00, take a 30-minute lunch break, and then attend the Department faculty meeting. It is now 2:30. I have about 2 hours to check e-mail, phone messages, and mail; and do last minute preparation to teach from 4:20-7:30 P.M. After class at 7:30 P.M., I go to the store to buy food to cook for a meeting I am holding tomorrow related to my research with Nooksack elders. I cook stew, set out the raffle gift, and get the bread ready for the rising process. I am up the next day about 5:30 A.M. to load the car to go to Nooksack, a 2-hour drive from Seattle. The bread is ready to put into the oven when I get there, and we proceed with the meeting.

It’s Fantastic: It is a full, wonderful life, balancing the academic world and our tribal community needs. Working in the two worlds keeps me in balance!! Having the opportunity to spend time with our elders who provide the vision gives me the energy!!

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Resources/Opportunities

NANAINA Announces 2003 Merit Awards

NANAINA is pleased to announce 2003 Merit Awards. Merit Awards are made to Alaska Native and American Indian students in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs. Awards range from $300.00 to $500.00. The application deadline is May 15, 2003. Eligibility criteria include: a) NANAINA member, b) enrolled in a US Federally- or State-recognized Tribe, and c) enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate nursing student in an accredited or state-approved school of nursing. The application process includes providing information on:


Financial need statement


Community or professional service


Professional goals


Proof of tribal enrollment


Letter of Support from Academic Advisor


Copy of most current transcripts


Current NANAINA membership

For further information, NANAINA Membership Application, and Merit Award Application see or call toll free: 1.888.566.8773

Mail completed application to:
National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA)
Dr. Better Keltner
NANAINA Treasurer
3700 Reservoir Road NW
Washington DC 20057-1107

American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)
AIGC was founded in 1969 to help open the doors to graduate education for American Indian and Alaska Natives. The DEADLINE is June 2, 2003. For more information go to www.aigc.com.

To be considered for an AIGC fellowship, an applicant must be:


An enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native Group, or possess one-fourth degree (federally recognized) Indian blood;


Pursuing a master's or doctorate degree as a full-time graduate student at an accredited graduate school in the United States; and


In need of financial aid. Applicants must apply for federal financial and campus based aid at the college financial aid office.

Essay: Applicants must include an essay based on the question "How will your graduate education impact the Indian Community?" Or prepare the essay based on a similar question to establish the connection for our students between education and community.


Native Researchers Cancer Control Training Program
The Native Researchers' Cancer Control Training Program (NRCCTP), sponsored by the Oregon Health Sciences University, University of Arizona, and the Indian Health Service, accepted applications due March 31, 2003 for a 3-week training fellowship in cancer prevention and control research. Participants will learn about cancer epidemiology, data management, data analysis, grant writing, and more. This year's dates are June 15-27, 2003 in Portland, or October 19-24, 2003 in Tucson, AZ. Participants must attend both sessions. Applications were encouraged from American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and American Samoans.

Because of the time commitment, applicants were asked to submit Letters of Support from their supervisor, Tribal /native community, and their personal Letter of Commitment to complete the 3-week program. In addition, a curriculum vitae/resume and application forms were requested.

Although the March 31, 2003 deadline has passed, persons interested in next year's session may contact Dr. Lillian Tom-Orme via e-mail at [email protected].

HealthFinder Web Site
by Leslie D. Hsu
Chair, healthfinder.gov Steering Committee
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
In an e-mail, Leslie Hsu says, "Thank you to NANAINA."
I want to thank you for all your support on improving resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives on healthfinder®. I've never met a more warm and loving group as this Caucus. I wanted to make sure you are aware of the following site released in November: www.healthfinder.gov/justforyou. I hope you will share this project with others.

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NANAINA Members On-The-Move

On November 14-17, 2002, NANAINA members attended and participated in the Indigenous Healing Traditions of the Americas, a conference sponsored by PRO-CULTURA, in Washington, DC. Bette Keltner moderated a panel on Working with Indigenous Knowledge and Substance Abuse and Addiction; Roxanne Struthers presented a session on the utilization of Talking Circle peer facilitators in: Working with Indigenous Health Knowledge and Diabetes; Ursula Knoki-Wilson attended and enjoyed the conference.

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Information on Health

Excerpts from summary update on type 2 diabetes: Steps to Prevent Diabetes (a March 3, 2003 press release from HHS):

Diabetes is costing Americans their lives, their health and their well-being. The incidence of diabetes and obesity is up sharply in the past decade, putting millions of Americans at higher risk for heart disease, stroke and other related medical conditions. But there is good news. HHS research has shown that millions of overweight, at-risk Americans can delay and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes with moderate changes in diet and exercise.

Diabetes facts:
17 million Americans have diabetes, and 16 million more have pre-diabetes.


Obesity has risen sharply in the past decade and millions of Americans are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, leg and foot amputations, pregnancy complications, and deaths related to flu and pneumonia.


Among American adults, diagnosed diabetes increased 49 percent from 1990 to 2000 and is projected to increase another 165 percent from 2000 to 2050.


A healthy diet and modest, consistent physical activity can cut a person’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent.


Every $1 invested in training, to help people self-manage their diabetes, can cut health care costs by up to $8.76.

What is HHS doing?
“Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent type 2 Diabetes” is a campaign lead by the National Diabetes Education Program, a joint program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. The program provides people with tools to make necessary lifestyle changes, including modest weight loss and physical activity.


Free materials are available at http://ndep.nih.gov/, or 1-800-438-5383. Materials include our Game Plan toolkit with the following key steps:

  • STEP 1: Know your risk of diabetes.
  • STEP 2: Set a modest weight loss goal—5 to 7 percent of body weight.
  • STEP 3: Increase physical activity, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.


“Small Steps. Big Rewards includes outreach to health care professionals urging them to:
  • Identify patients who have pre-diabetes.
  • Treat these patients through lifestyle interventions.
  • And most importantly, encourage patients to stay at it.


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About Notes


Request for Contributions

We would like to continue to “spotlight” a NANAINA Nurse in future Nursing Notes and celebrate professional accomplishments. Please describe your story or another’s story.

Nursing Notes welcomes article submissions.

Please submit contributions by June 15, 2003, for the Summer 2003 issue to Roxanne Struthers, Editor, as follows:

[email protected]
Work Phone: 612-624-8637
Fax: 612-626-2359.

Sponsors of Nursing Notes:

Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies:
to improve health and well-being of all people.

Nursing Notes is published and distributed by the Center for American Indian Research and Education, University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

The Center for American Indian Research and Education (CAIRE) is a research center that works closely with American Indian and Alaska Native faculty and students in pre- and post-doctoral research and education; and is dedicated to improving the status of American Indians and Alaska Natives by developing, evaluating and implementing health-education and social-policy programs for Native communities. Founded by Felicia Schanche Hodge in 1990, the center’s hallmark is cultural sensitivity and appropriateness of interventions.

Contacting NANAINA:

You may call NANAINA toll free at 1-888-566-8773 to reach Sandy Haldane. She can answer general questions or put you in touch with any member of the NANAINA Board of Directors listed below.

President: Lillian Tom-Orme
President-Elect: June Strickland
Treasurer: Bette Keltner
Secretary: Roxanne Struthers
Member at Large: Ursula Knoki-Wilson



E-mail for membership questions: [email protected]

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