Breast cancer awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 17 is the 10th annual Indigenous Pink Day. Both observances highlight the importance of breast cancer screening.
The American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) notes that everyone has breast tissue and is at risk for breast cancer. For that reason, people of all genders should discuss breast cancer screening with their local Indian health care providers.
Help promote conversations about breast health by sharing AICAF’s Indigenous Pink campaign toolkit (PDF, 17.8 MB, 14 pp), which includes:
- Suggested community events and activities
- A social media calendar
- Links to culturally tailored breast health resources
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health shares that substance use often serves as a coping mechanism for people experiencing domestic violence. Additionally, the Center shares that many abusive partners rely on substance use as a method of coercion.
Recognizing the potential impact of substance use on the lives of domestic violence survivors, the Center’s toolkit for hope, healing, and advocacy can be used in conjunction with an 8-part virtual learning series for nurturing hope among domestic violence survivors.
Together, these resources prepare service providers to make sure domestic violence survivors get the trauma-informed care they need.
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Toolkit to improve mental health support
An Indigenous mental wellness toolkit (PDF, 18.5 MB, 30 pp) is now available to better support mental health in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Intended for educators, therapists, and community-based organization staff, the toolkit offers suggestions for how to support the mental health of their Indigenous community clients. Suggestions include:
- Making time to explain billing and insurance processes to Indigenous community members
- Encouraging Indigenous community members to share information regarding their financial situation and then connecting them with appropriate resources
The toolkit also lists ideas for conducting culturally inclusive outreach and engagement.
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Scholarships for Indigenous health winter institute
Priority deadline: November 1 at 5 p.m. Eastern
General deadline: November 15 at 5 p.m. Eastern
View the winter institute funding opportunity
The Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health is offering scholarships for its 2025 winter institute, which will teach the following courses online:
- An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding the Health of American Indians, January 6–10 from 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Eastern
- Mental Health in American Indian Communities, January 13–17 from 12–4 p.m. Eastern
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Fiscal Year 2024 Small Ambulatory Program
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Priority deadline: November 8 at 5 p.m. Eastern
View the Small Ambulatory Program funding opportunity
Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply for Indian Health Service funds to support the construction, expansion, or modernization of ambulatory health care facilities.
The facilities must serve at least 500 eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives annually in an area with a population of at least 2,000 eligible people.
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Tele-behavioral health webinars
Sponsored by the Indian Health Service Tele-Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (TBHCE), these tele-education webinars are intended for health care team members.
TBHCE webinar series, 12 p.m. Eastern
- October 22 – Ethics and Confidentiality Concerns When Documenting Behavioral Health Notes
- October 29 – Maintaining a Culture of Wellness When Providing Behavioral Health Care
Behavioral health integration webinar series, 12 p.m. Eastern
- November 7 – Planning for PCP Workflows in Integrated Care Settings
- December 5 – Suicide Prevention/Treatment in Integrated Care Settings
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NCAI’s 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace
October 27–November 1
Las Vegas, Nevada
Register for NCAI’s 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) invites members, allies, tribal leaders, and Native youth to its annual event to discuss important issues and develop strategies for protecting and advancing tribal sovereignty.
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9th Annual Native American Women’s Conference
November 7–8
Chandler, Arizona
Register for the Native American Women’s Conference
This year’s Native American Women’s Conference focuses on health, wellness, and healing. Roundtable topics include leaning into sisterhood, self-care for kinship caregivers, and more.
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Being an Ally in Indian Country
November 19–20
12–7 p.m. Eastern
Virtual
Register for Being an Ally in Indian Country
Native Wellness Institute will facilitate an interactive training for tribal administrators, frontline workers, urban Indian center employees, and agency staff. The agenda includes time for group discussion, reflection, and assessment.
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Contact us
Do you have news to share? Send it to coveringic@kauffmaninc.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too.
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About the newsletter
Covering Indian Country is published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs to share resources, success stories, and best practices with the people who connect tribal communities to health care coverage.
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