Reclaiming Our People Healthy People Across Generations

About Reclaiming Our PeopleIn the 1980s, the Chiefs of the TCC region declared a war on alcohol in response to the epidemic of alcohol-related social issues affecting the region. As a result of that declaration, TCC pledged to address these issues. Because of this we saw a

reduction in alcohol use and the issues related to alcohol use.

Today, we are once again seeing an increase of alcohol use and related issues, but the outcry is being amplified with the introduction of new drugs that are

adversely affecting the well-being of our people. Our 2nd Traditional Chief Trimble Gilbert stood up at convention in 2013 and declared the need to all work together to address these issues in a strong manner. When presented with this idea, our

youth voiced that they actively partake in efforts to reclaim our people.

Over the last year, a Tribal Advisory Council was formed made up of the TCC Executive Board and Health Board members, as well as community members to

create a comprehensive strategic plan that would guide our effort to Reclaim Our People.

Reclaiming Our

People

Education& Prevention Support

Treatment Enforcement

Our GoalsGOAL 1: To Perpetuate Cultural Identity Within The Interior

(As a Means To Prevention)

GOAL 2: To Coordinate/Create Opportunities For Personal Healing And Community Wellness

GOAL 3: To Combat Public Health Barriers to Wellness In The Interior

GOAL 4: To Support Interior Tribes to Protect their Communities

Focus Areas

ACTION ITEMSSupport for Local Culture Camps & Programs1.1 Offer grants to subregions to coordinate opportunities for Tribes to support culture camps

*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

1.2 Create inventory of cultural educators and leaders in the region who can share traditional skills*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

1.3 Support Tribes to develop a schedule for year-round thematic cultural activities or education plans

1.4 Encourage leaders, and local cultural educators, to bring along youth on outings and other traditional educational opportunities (ex. trapping)*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

1.9 Validate and acknowledge, utilizing traditional local healing practices

1.10 Provide assistance to cultural groups for materials to make traditional clothing

1.11 Recognize individuals leading cultural or wellness activities

1.14 Support wellness counselors to attend subsistence camps or other cultural activities*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Education & Prevention1.5 Develop and share educational messages about the value and importance of cultural identity (Interior Strong campaign)

1.7 Provide all employees with cultural awareness training*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

1.6 Use social media platforms to support language learning

1.8 Research and provide information to Tribes about elder advisory committee models

1.15 Incorporate cultural and traditions into “Centering Pregnancy” and “Centering Parenting” classes

1.16 Work with school districts to embed Native culture into school curriculum*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Support for Preservation & Documentation1.12 Identify spaces within communities that house cultural and language materials

1.13 Provide support staff to assist with regional cultural and historical preservation efforts*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

1.17 Help Tribes to document community histories and family trees*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Goal OneTo Perpetuate Cultural Identity Within The Interior

(As a Means To Prevention)

Goal TwoTo Coordinate/Create Opportunities For Personal Healing And

Community Wellness

ACTION ITEMSEducation & Prevention2.1 Implement postvention (after a suicide occurs) policies and protocols*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.2 Implement training for crisis response plan-ning in communities*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.3 Train all staff in “Question, Persuade, Refer”*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.4 Implement Behavior Health Policy for post-discharge service

2.5 Enhance emergency response protocols*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.6 Acquire grant for Boys to Men coaching pro-gram

2.7 Train staff in curriculum to teach youth coping skills*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.8 Address stigma of shame for victims of adverse childhood experiences

2.9 Prevent, educate, and address adverse child-hood experiences*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.13 Utilize healthy programs such as “Girls on the Run” and “Just move it” for diabetes prevention*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.14 Educate communities about historical trau-ma and its affects

2.18 Incorporate local traditional healing methods throughout TCC health care

2.21 Establish, implement, and support parenting and family program/classes (Ties into 1.15)

2.24 Improve communication between schools and families

2.30 Identify trainings for families and communi-ties to better understand mental illnesses

2.33 Support and enhance vocational/job training opportunities for youth

Improve Quality of Care and Treatment Options2.10 Improve quality of post-trauma care and follow up

2.11 Expand, implement, and support treatment and aftercare options*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.12 Seek options to increase accessibility of private treatment options

2.15 Implement and support new strategies to address behavioral health needs in communities

2.27 Plan to integrate addiction medicine into primary care

2.28 Ensure that all staff are trained on trauma informed care*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.29 Implement prisoner re-entry program 2.31 Increase patient access to services from BHAs

2.32 Develop or advocate for local option for lockdown residential treatment for at-risk youth

2.34 Implement BH telemedicine*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Goal Two Continued...

ACTION ITEMSImprove Quality of Care and Treatment Options2.35 Increase awareness of the ease and accessibility of residential treatment

2.36 Integrate behavioral health screening with primary care*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.37 Improve services for victims of sexual assault/domestic violenceSupport Community Wellness2.16 Encourage and support local community wellness meetings

2.17 Encourage group counseling in communi-ties

2.20 Make GONA trainings available to TCC leadership and in villages

2.25 Explore options for sobering centers or sobriety camps in villages

2.26 Present Reclaiming Our People action items and follow-up at subregional meetings*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

2.38 Support for people and families living with FAS and FAE

Improve Quality of Care and Treatment Options2.19 TCC Youth Council advise on mental health issues

2.22 Recognize healthy elders

2.23 Support opportunities for Elders to share spiritual guidance with troubled youth

2.39 Advocate for redesign of General Assistance program to strengthen traditional values of work ethic & self-reliance

To Coordinate/Create Opportunities For Personal Healing And Community Wellness

Goal ThreeTo Combat Public Health Barriers to Wellness In The Interior

ACTION ITEMSEducation & Prevention3.1 Provide resources to educate communities on bedbugs

3.2 Hire an additional Environmental Health Pro-fessional

3.3 Study effectiveness of low water use hand-washing stations

3.4 Provide Tribes with a menu of OEH related available workshops and training opportunities

3.5 Research and assess urban environmental health needs not met by existing local services

3.6 Hire lifestyle and behavioral coaches*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

3.7 Hire a tobacco cessation counselor*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

3.11 Offer training to staff on low impact exercises to prevent elder injuries*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

3.12 Increase support and training for elder care-givers

3.13 Disseminate information on universal design for dementia friendly homes

3.14 Partner with schools and clinics on alcohol prevention education *TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

3.15 Provide health and general nutrition education to communities to prevent diabetes*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

3.16 Provide education on the consequences of marijuana use

3.19 Provide opportunities for youth to learn about healthy activities and choices*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Improve Quality of Care and Treatment Options3.9 Implement and support early detection 3.10 Implement timely and effective treatment3.17 Increase awareness of the importance of immunizations

3.18 Provide ongoing education for STD & HIV awareness and prevention*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

Advocacy and Engagement3.20 Identify youth who demonstrate potential as natural leaders

Goal FourTo Support Interior Tribes to Protect their Communities

ACTION ITEMSEducation & Prevention4.3 Develop and implement safety campaign 4.8 Develop and implement tribal code on ad-

dressing elder abuse4.5 Introduce and offer training options for community sexual assault awareness and prevention

4.14 Encourage and enhance tribal guardianship for elders

4.17 Ensure domestic violence/sexual assault education is available and taught in schools*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

4.26 Educate community members to conduct bag checks for illegal alcohol and drug importa-tion

4.32 Develop basic self-defense and safety awareness for individuals and tribal councilsImprove Quality of Care and Treatment Options4.4 Develop and implement prevention, urgent after care, and post-trauma for sexual assault program*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

4.6 Hire domestic violence/sexual assault resource staff

4.7 Develop a rural treatment program for domestic violence/sexual assault services

4.8 Develop and implement tribal code on addressing elder abuse

4.13 Assess and improve screening for “are you safe” question for elders

4.22 Provide support to “safe houses” for youth in villages

4.24 Develop leadership training for youth in community protection

4.27 Increase access to drug recovery and detox centers

Advocacy and Engagement4.1 Advocate to adequately fund and implement rural Alaska public safety from the State of Alaska

4.2 Seek legislation through Congress to authorize and fund tribal law enforcement in our communities

4.9 Identify and support opportunities for state and tribal collaboration for adequate law enforcement

4.10 Facilitate peer support opportunities for Tribes to share effective practices

4.11 Increase utilization of circle sentencing 4.12 Implement the Civil Diversion Agreement4.18 Address ICWA needs within the interior 4.20 Continue to spotlight communities that are

exercising sovereignty4.28 Develop, establish and support a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program

4.29 Partner with State adult protective services*TCC 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative

4.30 Advocate for rural case prosecution (District Attorney)

4.31 Advocate for and support rural victims of domestic violence/sexual assault

Goal Four Continued...To Support Interior Tribes to Protect their Communities

ACTION ITEMSPublic Safety4.15 Increase the number of VPSOs within the interior

4.16 Develop re-entry program for domestic vio-lence/sexual assault perpetrators

4.12 Implement the Civil Diversion Agreement 4.19 Seek to encourage dually commissioned officers in the state

4.21 Encourage reporting of crimes 4.23 Explore potential of a judge (tribal court) exchange between villages/itinerant judges

4.25 Develop a region-wide tribal court

Reclaiming Our People PrayerDeveloped in August 2016 by the Tribal Advisory Committee

My prayer for you, my children and grandchildren, my future and descendent, is that you know who you are and where you come from. That you know your culture and practice it. That you speak your language and

are part of a proud, healthy, happy Native community.

I pray that you never know pain. That you live a life that allows you to grow up as a child with no fears, only a sense of safety and innocence

so that you may grow into an adult who is grounded in your true sense of happiness.

I pray that you experience the connection to the land and animals. That you are skilled in tool making, traditional skills and learn what it is to be a strong Alaska Native. That you are given the strength and courage to be strong-

minded and make healthy choices. That you have the best quality, culturally relevant education and believe that all things are possible.

I pray that you are at peace with yourself and with your family and friends.

That you know your worth and love yourself wholeheartedly. That you forgive yourself and others.

Never be afraid to speak your truth. Don’t be afraid to be you.

I pray that health and wellbeing surround you. That you live a clean, sober and drug free lifestyle. That you are empathetic, compassionate and find

purpose in helping others.

I pray that you experience health, happiness and success, whatever that may be. That you are grateful everyday. That you seek guidance and

direction from someone who is able to teach. That you know that being vulnerable is okay.

I pray that you are passionate, motivated, and filled with joy and hope. That you can make change in our community and be the young leaders of your generation. I ask that those who went before guide you to make the right

decisions moving forward. I pray that you feel supported because you are.

Heavenly father, please help wise choices to be made. Protect and guide them to safety and help them to be aware of your presence. I ask for peace

and healing in their bodies, minds and souls and that they be blessed in every good thing.

Amen.