The survival of the American Indian People is the most important reason I choose to be involved with IA2. It goes that deep, my reasons why. So many of the kids I grew up with aren’t living in our town. We have a MAJOR housing shortage in Indian Country communities. They have moved to the city: Albuquerque, mostly.
I am fortunate to still live in the town I grew up in, but it’s not easy. I work in different arenas advocating for services for American Indians with Disabilities, educating about the importance of having the least restrictive environment to participate in activities of daily life.
Given the opportunity to speak on behalf of my peers, I am also a voting services Coordinator on my Reservation. The intersection of Disability and the importance of voting brought me to this place. Legislative bodies are slow to act. The plight of American Indian Elders and people with Disabilities is a cause near and dear to me.
My Reservation community, in the 1970s, was still a close-knit community. I recall being welcomed into many households for a snack, some guidance. We were so close to our Aunts, Uncles, and friends. It wasn’t evident then that the end of an era was near. A concern about the effects of years of trauma: historical trauma, substance abuse, mainly alcoholism, has brought many tribal members major health problems. I watched an Uncle deteriorate mentally from the effects of alcoholism, many others experienced tragically similar endings. Friends never reaching the age of 40, 30, others died in their 20s, or teens. That is a life common to so many tribal peoples.
A major health crisis still plays out its hand. Uranium mining led to radiation poisoning, and lives ended. The Nuclear age brought another form of death to Tribal people. These are my reasons for joining the IA2 Brain advisory group. The lack of data in Indian Country is detrimental to improving the health status of the people I grew up with.
I asked my grandfather in his later days how he felt mentally, and he said if his body weren’t breaking down, he would still be working. I know that the American Indian people are a resilient, survivors, enduring community. He did work into his early 80s, building highways, running heavy equipment. He would have continued working in his garden and driveway for many more years if he didn’t have a medical condition that may have been related to his days of carving roads in the mine.
My fierce loyalty to this man, my mom, grandmothers, sisters, and community is why I speak up, show at meetings, and articulate the situation in my community, when given the opportunity.
