The IA² Team traveled to the Swinomish Casino & Resort in Anacortes, WA, for the first annual Northwest Tribal Brain Health & Dementia Summit. This summit was hosted by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) Tribal Elder Project (NTEP) and Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure Project. We were honored that the Swinomish Indian Tribe allowed us on their homelands.
NPAIHB serves 43 Northwest Tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The event was hosted by Wilson Wewa of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The gathering welcomed community members, elders, youth, caregivers, tribal health program staff, and healthcare providers. The presentations provided information, education, and awareness to address brain health for tribal communities. They welcomed presenters from the Alzheimer’s Association, The Healthy Brain Initiative – Road Map for Indian Country, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Spirit Lake Senior Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), Music and Memory, University of Minnesota Medical School’s Dr. J. Neil Henderson, Native American Elder Justice Initiative (NAEJI), and IA².
IA² was able to present on 3 different topics regarding aging that included: 1) IA² Healthy Brain Initiatives and Resources, 2) Recognizing and Responding to Elder Abuse in Indian Country (NAEJI), and 3) Dementia Friends for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Communities. It was a wonderful opportunity and honor to connect with the Northwest tribal community members and colleagues.
IA² Healthy Brain Initiatives and Resources
Presentation by: Molita Yazzie, Mary Ann OMeara, & Breana Dorame
IA² serves as a national hub for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) information, technical assistance, and resources that serve Indian Country, including but not limited to tribes, tribal leadership, healthcare and public health staff, Urban Indian Health Centers and organizations, and tribal elder services advocates. The session we presented provided in-depth information about the products available in our Brain Health Resource Center, our monthly newsletters, how to order prints to be delivered to your organization, how to get involved, and more.
NAEIJI – Recognizing and Responding to Elder Abuse in Indian Country
Presentation by: Peggy Jo Archer
T
he Native American Elder Justice Initiative Resource Center (NAEJI) presented at the Northwest Tribal Brain Health & Dementia Summit in Anacortes, Washington. Peggy Jo had the opportunity to connect with professionals, elders, and community members on the importance of understanding the intersection of elder abuse and dementia. Participants learned about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Indian Country. While also, learning the importance of developing and implementing elder abuse codes. Participants learned about various resources for reporting suspected abuse and neglect. Additionally, participants learned culturally appropriate techniques and strategies to address and respond to elder abuse. Participants were then asked to describe elder justice in their perspective communities.
Dementia Friends Information Session for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Communities
Presentation by: Mary Ann OMeara & Breana Dorame
We were so thrilled to bring Dementia Friends to the summit! This was IA2’s first time presenting the Dementia Friends Information Session for AI/AN Communities in person. Being able to do the Dementia Friends Session in person within a tribal community is so special because we are able to connect, learn, listen, share stories, and let others become Dementia Friends. We are hoping that all of these wonderful and new Dementia Friends will spread the word through their communities and change the way people view dementia.
IA²’s Cultural Experiences on the Swinomish Homelands
There were a number of cultural activities all could join in on. This really brought everyone together by doing healthy, positive, and traditional activities for our well-being. These are activities that can also support brain health in multiple ways. Some included:
- Prayers
- Basket Weaving
- Eating Healthy Meals
- Preparation and Cooking of Local Salmon
- Cultural Night Dinner with Dance
- Storytelling
- Supporting Tribal Vendors
- Morning Walks with Community Members
- Admiring and Respecting the Swinomish Homelands
Thank you to the Swinomish Tribe, NPAIHB, and the Swinomish Casino & Resort for having IA² join the 1st annual Northwest Tribal Brain Health & Dementia Summit!
