I felt love, honor, and joy being in community at the Academy Health conference.

I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation from the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF), a Systems for Action and SAIH grantee partner organization, funded by RWJF.  Brian Henry, Benjamin Bryer, and Jenna Gearhart invited us to their space while we were all at the AcademyHealth Conference.

Even as I was inspired by decades of research shared at the conference, we rarely hear about the work in the places where it was done or from the people who shaped it. Learning from UIATF in their own space, with their stories, food, families, music, languages, and art — was healing.

Living abroad for most of my adult life has made me hold on to my identity tightly.  Afraid to contribute to the erasure of a people, my peoples. I fear forgetting my own languages, history, foods, music, art, and my why.

When I need grounding and perspective, I come home. Home for me is among a people, place, language, food, and garden. It's Yakama, Washington in my parents garden.

At home, I’m reminded about the generations before me, after me, and beside me. I’m held between yesterday, today, and tomorrow. For this moment, I’m exactly where I need to be.

Home is is where my heart, mind, and spirit are together in one breath in one beat.

I experienced this sense of familiarity at the UIATF this weekend. We had an incredible lunch prepared by Chef Nikki, featuring wild berries and local salmon.

We learned about their RWJF‑funded research from the Native Veteran (NV) Advisory Board members who led it. Dr. Mike Tulee shared the oral history of the land beneath our feet — a land where Native Americans and Alaskan Natives enlist in the military at higher rates than any other demographic, where part of our lunch was gathered, where the fish still swim, and where the people still persist. 

Glen Pinkham opened with a traditional prayer. The sounds of the community moved around the building.

I met Dallas Pinkham, a filmmaker who translated their research data for their community, capturing stories in their words, in their spaces, with their music.

UIATF research was disseminated in a way that was culturally resonate. Where data and storytelling was as much for their community as it was for a broader contribution to public health knowledge. Their research and dissemination were multi-dimensional and captured all your senses. They shared an early draft of their research data’s impact through a documentary and their data collection through their podcast/radio. We were digesting data, stories, and food. I have never experienced research dissemination like this before.

I am most honored to have received and been recognized with a beautiful blanket wrapping. I also received a wonderful traditional drum painted by Brian himself. I will treasure that moment and these gifts for generations.

Brian, a UIATF researcher and NV Navigator, told me that the blankets were once made of buffalo skin. They were gifted to keep a person warm, provide protection, and help them survive the winters.

My winter is warmer because of all of you. 

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Thank you for the drum. Its sound gathers my breath, settles my body, and reminds me of the teachings carried in each beat.

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Thank you!
 

Dr. Melissa Espinoza