Rethinking Nutrition: Why Traditional Foods Matter in Wellness and Beyond

March 26, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Despite the critical role nutrition plays in preventing and managing chronic disease, it is often inconsistently addressed in clinical care. This webinar explores how traditional foods and culturally grounded wellness practices can support whole-person health for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Designed for healthcare teams and community-based providers, the session highlights the connection between food as medicine, cultural knowledge, and improved health outcomes, while offering practical, respectful ways to integrate nutrition and holistic health conversations into clinical visits and community programs to promote healing, connection, and long-term wellness.

Presenters:

• Nahla Holland, Senior Research Assistant, NCUIH, Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation
• Lyz Best, Manager of Technical Assistance, NCUIH

Objectives:

• Explain the connection between traditional foods, food as medicine, and improved health outcomes.
• Learn practical ways to integrate nutrition conversations and traditional food practices into clinical visits and community programs. Holistic approaches to health conversations.
• Identify approaches for using nutrition to strengthen community connection, promote healing, and support long-term wellness.

Audience:

• UIO ED/CEOs
• UIO Staff
• Tribal Partners and Tribes

Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)

Cardea Services is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.​​​

Upon successful completion of this activity 1.0 contact hours will be awarded.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of Cardea and National Council of Urban Indian Health. Cardea is accredited by the CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Cardea designates this live event for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this continuing education activity includes the following:

• Attending the entire CE activity
• Completing the online evaluation
• Submitting an online CE Request