August 2019 - Page 2 of 2

I am an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from North Carolina. I am a sophomore at Wayne State University and I have strong commitment when comes to supporting native youth. I am a peer mentor at American Indian Health and Family Services of Southeastern Michigan (AIHFS). I’m very grateful to be a part of the inaugural youth council for the National Council of Urban Indian Health.

What is the NCUIH Youth Council? We are a council dedicated to reducing substance abuse and suicidal burden among Native youth by building a global network in which American Indian and Alaska Native youth can share and exchange ideas, knowledge, resources, and support services. Basically, we want to help Urban and Tribal Native youth in their cultural, spiritual, and physical health journeys by providing resources and helping to develop resiliency tactics.

Our first major event as a council is our Youth Convening. Here, we will introduce you our 2 hashtag campaigns we have coming up. These campaigns are designed BY Native youth FOR Native youth. They are aimed to help build a national network of support while simultaneously showing Native youth that you are not alone, our culture is the armor that protects us, and to embrace your indigeneity.

If you are looking be a part of this national network and learn how to be become an Indigi-Wellness Champion – Join us this Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 from 3:00 PM- 5:00PM EST for our Virtual Native Youth Convening.

So I ask…. How do you stay resilient?

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Osiyo, my name is Benjamin Sandecki and I am a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. It is an honor thus far to serve on the 2019 National Council of Urban Indian Health Youth Council.

I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy. Throughout my pharmacy career, I have been privileged to intern at the Oklahoma City Urban Indian Clinic where my experience has directly allowed me to appreciate the importance of Native American health and wellness.

I joined the 2019 NCUIH Youth Council with aspirations to establish the necessary skills to increase awareness of suicide prevention, combat substance abuse, and promote healthy lifestyle routines for Native American youth and young adults living in urban settings. The Youth Council and social marketing campaign grants me the opportunity to advocate for Native issues while forging techniques to create resiliency among the Native American youth population.

To join the national social marketing campaign and learn what it takes to become an Idigi-Youth Champion, please join me and my colleagues for our National Virtual Native Youth Convening on Tuesday, August 6^th, 2019 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST.

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NCUIH Youth Council: Meet Adon Vazquez

NCUIH Youth Council: Meet Benjamin Sandecki