We are resilient. Our ways are resilient.
Pulling Together for Wellness is a comprehensive, tribally-driven, and culturally-grounded prevention framework that has been developed through the guidance of Washington Tribal and Urban Indian leaders. It integrates Native epistemology and western public health science. It is evidenced-informed.
Benefits of this framework:
- It provides a culturally appropriate Healthy Communities framework to take action to prevent and reduce chronic disease, and ultimately reduce health disparities.
- It provides a framework that can be adapted to meet the needs of specific Tribal and Urban Indian Communities.
- It helps build the capacity and competencies to prepare Tribes and Urban Indian Communities to be able to develop Healthy Communities initiatives using a policy, environment, and systems (PES) change approach.
- It helps prepare Tribes and Urban Indian Programs to access Healthy Communities funding within the state, private, and federal funding landscape.
Definitions used in this framework:
Native Epistemology
Native Ways of Knowing. To develop a framework that is effective for the long term in Tribal and Urban Indian communities, it is important to apply Native epistemology and be able to communicate that knowledge in terms that resonate with the people in the community.
Seven Generations
This concept is about the responsibility for the generations to come – seven generations out, which is over 100 years. This includes responsibility for the environment around us as well as the youth and those yet to come into our families, Tribes, and communities. This thinking is demonstrated in long term vision and guidance reflected in this framework, and its vision and values.
Wisdom of the Elders
The wisdom of the elders is revered. This is based upon traditional beliefs that elders have had long a relationship with life or developing specific knowledge. Elders are treated with a great deal of honor and respect. However, recognition can also be given due to wisdom, leadership, and contributions to the people rather than age.
Through the Eyes of our Ancestors
“Looking through the eyes of our Ancestors” has been stated through the development of this framework as a way to know if you are on the right path. This is based on a traditional practice to keep the knowledge and memories of our ancestors alive. It is thought that if an individual does not do this, they will have no foundation for their life and will have to borrow someone else’s identity. (Bruce Miller, Twana traditional spiritual leader)
Seasonal Way of LIfe
Traditionally, nature taught us when it was time for certain activities. For example, when the leaves changed color and fell to the ground, this signaled that the fall salmon runs were to begin. In the past, time was reflected by the seasons and the cycles of plant and animal – time to gather and hunt. Stories and social practices reinforced these kinds of teaching and Tribal culture was built around this understanding.
Knowledge Gathering
Using knowledge and stories to create and sustain healthier Tribal and Urban Indian Communities is a laudable goal. Using terms and methods that are culturally appropriate are just as important. Building and gathering Tribal community wellness knowledge will be more likely to resonate with the communities than “western” evidence-based terminology.
PTW Vision and Values: