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I read the article, For Native Americans, Fall is the Least Wonderful Time of the Year. There’s a lot of truth to it. I didn’t realize that Fall is like this for us, but it is. I’d like to ask you to take a moment to reflect on what it would mean for you as an Indigenous person.

Now Si’am Ne Schalecha Si’am – Greetings Friends & Family

The ambiance of Autumn. For those of us blessed to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of the North Sound we feel the welcoming cooler weather, the cool crisp air, the morning dew, we see the fog that blankets the landscape, and we change our clocks back an hour for daylight savings. It’s the transformation of seasons. A reminder that change allows us to find purpose.

I am hopeful that you find a sense of purpose to change the way you observe the norm, to look at a perspective differently, to summon and evoke thoughtful and meaningful considerations.

‘What would that look like?’ you may ask. It would look like a consciousness of reckoning. An acknowledgement of People who have been here since time immemorial. There would be a recognition of “Indigenous Peoples Day,” without controversy, but a mere validation of salutation. Imagine even more so, that there would be no more derogatory mascots or chants for schools, colleges, or professional sports teams. No more Native American caricature Halloween costumes or outfits. Visualize a transformation of the normative and envision a gratitude for Indigenous People. A symbolic appreciation to be right and just, to be the norm.

Could this possibly be? It’s up to you. Because during this time of the year, we as Indigenous People, either avoid the ignorance altogether, excuse it, or never-it-mind, or cringe at the thought of being dishonored or disgraced. By chance we speak up, in hope to educate others.

The change of season is good. Change of heart & mind is even better. Transformation is meaningful when we evolve with compassion and understanding. It is the purpose of change. I hope you consider change.

Est’itemsen – I am doing the best that I can.

Hy’shqe – thank you.

Quatz’tenaut – Candice Wilson

By Lindsay Knaus, Project Manager

Island Senior Resources presented at this year’s All-In: Data for Community Health National Meeting in Baltimore, MD.  This event is intended to bring data sharing pioneers together to share solutions and accelerate progress toward improved health equity.

Island Senior Resources’ director Chasity Smith’s presentation was titled, “Screening for Social Determinants: What’s in a Tool?”

Island Senior Resources, Island County Human Services and Public Health, Island Senior Resources, and WhidbeyHealth are all participating implementation partners with the ACH, working cooperatively on a number of initiatives related to ACH health improvement strategies. Their work has developed into cross-sector collaboration aimed to address service gaps, barriers, and risk factors in order to improve health equity in Island County.

These partners’ goal is to develop a coordinated referral system and social determinants screening tool. The tool includes demographics and nine core measures covering medical, social, and basic needs. The tool acts as both a screener and referral generator, connecting each person with the right resource.  The organizations aim to identify the needs in their community, better understand the causes, connect people with help, and improve health and well-being.

Implementation began with a local primary care clinic as the pilot site, integrating the screening tool into clinical workflows as of Fall 2019. The pilot will be followed by a formal review and process improvement plan.

Chasity’s presentation provided insights for those looking to develop a coordinated screening and referral system across sectors, using collaboration.  It also provided a rural perspective on this process, from the creation and modification of a screening tool, implementation and timeline considerations, and how small projects can be used to leverage the discussion on multi-sector data sharing in rural communities.

Earlier this month members of our team attended a two-day training with the Pomegranate Center, co-facilitated by Communities of Color Coalition.  The Pomegranate Method provides tools to build collaborative, inclusive, and decisive projects. Our staff learned a process for community planning and decision-making based on productive discussion to drive successful collaboration. Those who attended are eager to use this model in future meetings!

Pomegranate Center believes every community, agency, and company should have teams of trained facilitators who are neutral about what is decided, but fierce about protecting the process. If you would like to learn more, click here to read about training with the Pomegranate Center in Seattle this October.