Brown School partners with Community Women Against Hardship

The Brown School of Social Work tends to evoke the castle-like buildings of Washington University’s Danforth Campus. However, the Brown School, which claims in its mission statement to “collaborate with organizations to use evidence to improve access to and quality of social services and to address social and economic justice,” holds to its mission of being embedded in the community by having an office at the Better Family Life building on Page.

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Native Voices Rising

Announcing Native Voices Rising!

Common Counsel Foundation and Native Americans in Philanthropy are pleased to announce that Native Voices Rising (NVR) is now open for applications by Native-led groups with a membership base in the community that have a leadership development program and seek to take collective action to win progressive social change. Historically, less than 0.5% of foundation funding goes to support Native issues. This is a level of support that is inadequate to address the historic harms that Native people have experienced and the current need.

NVR provides general operating support grants to strengthen Native-led organizations in the United States that are improving the lives of their community members. To-date a total of $410,000 has been awarded to 43 grassroots Native community organizations that are involved in organizing and advocacy. Previous grantees are collectively engaging thousands of community members across ten states. They focus on a wide range of critical issues, from human and civil rights, to reproductive justice, to environmental health and sacred sites protection. Past NVR grantees had a significant presence at Standing Rock, advocating against the Dakota Access pipeline for the protection of land, water, and the recognition of Native sovereignty.

Donors that would like to add funds to this year’s pool can contribute online or contact Common Counsel Foundation.

Grantees can find more information and apply at www.NativeVoicesRising.org. NVR will make grants of up to $10,000 to support grassroots organizing led by Native communities. The application deadline is August 2, 2017.

2017 Native Children’s Research Exchange Conference

• September 28th and 29th, 2017
• Opening reception the evening of Wednesday September 27th
• All conference activities will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton  Hotel Denver

 
The NCRE 2017 Conference will be held September 28-29, 2017 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver.  An opening reception will be held on Wednesday evening September 27th, as well as a group dinner on Thursday evening September 28th.  We hope that you will consider joining us!  In addition to hearing about some of the latest research on children’s development in tribal contexts, NCRE is a great opportunity to both reconnect and make new connections with colleagues across the country whose work is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of tribal children through research.

The theme of this year’s conference is Children’s Development in American Indian and Alaska Native Cultural and Linguistic Contexts: Perspectives from Research and Practice.  Conference registration is limited to 80 participants.  Please be sure to register early to ensure space.  The registration deadline is September 8, 2017.

Research and evaluation efforts related to American Indian and Alaska Native children’s development prenatally through young adulthood are welcome, regardless of the connection to the conference theme.  Works in progress, works presented elsewhere, and new work is welcome. Submissions are due August 1, 2017.

Limited travel support is available to assist with conference costs.  Please indicate your request for travel support on the registration form.  Additional travel support is available for students through the NCRE Student Scholars program.

For more information about the conference and to register, propose a conference presentation, or apply for the NCRE Student Scholars program, please go to www.ncreconnect.org.

IHS Virtual Internship

Virtual Two-Spirit Project

Virtual Two-Spirit Project, an HIV prevention study, is off the ground   

The Virtual Two-Spirit project is a culturally-grounded, online HIV prevention intervention for Native American men who have sex with men. The intervention facilitates positive sexual health behaviors and promotes HIV risk harm reduction strategies. Eligible participants who complete the three-week intervention can receive up to $190 in incentives.

The project is being conducted by the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle. The Institute is an innovative leader in researching health disparities among Native Americans and other indigenous populations utilizing community-based participatory research principles and indigenous knowledges. The Institute also collaborates with communities to develop culturally-adapted interventions to address those health disparities.

The Virtual Two-Spirit intervention utilizes a computer downloadable virtual reality world, where participants create their own avatar and go through experiential modules in learning about HIV, harm reduction techniques, and behavioral role play.  

During their time in the virtual world, participants will have the opportunity to receive two free counseling sessions with trained Univ. of Washington counselors. Participants will also take assessment surveys at the end of each stage of the virtual intervention.

The expected outcomes for participants who go through the intervention include:

•  an increase in HIV testing
• more reliable condom use
• awareness and practice of harm reduction behaviors  

Results of this study will be used to further refine and tailor the intervention for a larger study.

The study is actively recruiting participants nationally to test the Virtual Two-Spirit intervention. Please see the attached flyer for eligibility criteria and contact information.

The Virtual Two-Spirit project is supported by funding from the National Institute of Health and Health Disparities, Award Number P60MD006909. Principal Investigator, Karina Walters, PhD, University of Washington 

Research Interview Participants Needed for Cultural Identity Silencing Study

Research Interview Participants Needed for Cultural Identity Silencing Study

Currently recruiting participants for a study exploring the experiences of cultural identity silencing of Native American identity in K-12 education

In order to participate you must:
• 18-20 years old
• College student (includes new freshman)
• Identify as Native American/American Indian (including multiracial and pan-Indian identities)
• Be willing to participate in 3 face-to-face interviews
• Have experienced cultural identity silencing of your Native American/ American Indian identity during your K-12 education

* Selection will include a 5-10 min phone conversation with the researcher to talk about your interest in participating in the study, explain the procedure, and answer any questions you have about participating.  

Participants will receive $50.00 visa gift card upon completion of all three interviews

If you would like to participate or find out more details about the study contact: 
Katheryne Leigh, Ed.M, klh2q3@mail.umsl.edu, 716-969-5414

Evaluation Specialist at the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation

Evaluation Specialist (Closing Date June 30th)

The the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is seeking an Evaluation Specialist to oversee all program evaluation efforts, including outputs, outcomes and impact of the NB3 Foundation.

View Job Posting Here

Communications Specialist Position at the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation

Communication Specialist  (Closing Date June 30th)

The the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is seeking a Communication Specialist responsible for designing and executing effective internal and external communication strategies including social, print and online media for the NB3 Foundation. The Communication Specialist will be tasked with the creation and editorial oversight of designated external and internal communications to ensure all messages are consistent, accurate, timely, and relevant. The Communication Specialist will help design and implement an overall communications plan for the organization.

View Job Posting Here

Celebrating World Culture At Lindbergh High School

Lindsey Manshack and Airianne Posey participated in the Celebrating World

Culture Event at Lindbergh High School.

You can view photos from the event in the Times Article Celebrating World Culture At Lindbergh High School

Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe at Cahokia Mounds

Deputy Director for the National American Indian Housing Council

Deputy Director position in Washington DC  

The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is seeking to fill the full-time position of Deputy Director for the national office in Washington, DC.  This high-level position serves as a senior leader on organizational operations and reports directly to the Executive Director. The position directs all aspects of the organization’s administrative services and operations in support of NAIHC.

This position supervises administrative personnel and coordinates departmental administrative personnel for general clerical, financial and administrative support activities; assures that good customer service is provided from support staff through proper training and mentoring; works closely with the Executive Director for planning, budgeting, member services, management and grant management.  The Deputy Director is responsible for procurement and contracting services and for the development, implementation and monitoring of written policies governing NAIHC.  The Deputy Director works closely with the Executive Director to ensure that the program, events and financial objectives of NAIHC’s strategic plan are met. This position provides support in the areas of grant writing, program compliance, statistical analysis, project/program development, technical assistance, and facilitates collection and analysis of membership data including periodic membership needs assessment.

Minimum candidate qualifications include:  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or related field; Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profits, including experience in non-profit finance, internal controls, policy, human resource management, program development, and event planning.  Must possess excellent supervisory and planning skills; strong written and oral communication skills.

Candidates should send their resume and cover letter to careers@naihc.net.  Please place “Deputy Director” in the subject line. For more information on NAIHC visit www.naihc.net.  Position will be open until filled.

Job Posting

Program Assistant Position for the National American Indian Housing Council

Program Assistant position in Washington DC  

The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is seeking to fill the full-time position of Program Assistant.  This Program Assistant position will focus on NAIHC’s training and technical assistance activities (T/TA) and general office administration.

The position coordinates day-to-day processes for NAIHC T/TA programs. This includes collecting, maintaining and organizing all program database records and files including student attendance, examinations, certificates and scholarship applications; updating NAIHC website with timely, accurate information and forms for all program events and programs; assisting in the preparation of program reports by gathering statistical information in fulfillment of program reporting requirements. The position is also responsible for providing printed promotional materials related to programs, products and services for distribution; coordinating travel; providing instructors with materials including registration list; assisting with reconciliation of tuition fees, membership payments, credit cards and other program transactions; reviewing expense reports and payables submitted by field staff and consultant invoices for accuracy and required documentation of products and services delivered. The position drafts all correspondence to students who complete all requirements for PIHM and coordinates all logistics for recognition of students at NAIHC events.   The position also drafts RFP’s for presenters and consultants and coordinates the selection process and timeline.  

General office duties will also include logging and distributing incoming mail and preparing mailings; participating in staff meetings, retreats, strategic planning sessions, and organizational meetings; ad procuring resources, services and supplies to meet NAIHC office needs. The position will also cross train with other NAIHC staff, to provide back-up assistance to other Program Assistant positions.

Candidate skills required include:  Bachelor’s degree in business, social services or related field; Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profits, including experience in grant and program support; strong knowledge of computer systems, possess excellent customer service skills; strong written and oral communication skills. This position requires a highly organized individual with time-management, accuracy, web and desktop publishing skills.

Candidates should send their resume and cover letter to careers@naihc.net.  Please place “Program Assistant” in the subject line. For more information on NAIHC visit www.naihc.net.  Position will be open until filled.

Job Posting