Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc.

Every year on July 28th, World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is observed to spread awareness of viral hepatitis, which affects more than 354 million people worldwide. Viral hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to serious illness and liver cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 78% of cases of primary liver cancer result from hepatitis B and C viruses. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of bringing hepatitis care closer to primary healthcare facilities and communities so that people, regardless of the type of hepatitis they may carry, have better access to treatment and care. Ask your doctor if you need to be screened or vaccinated today!

Happy SPARKLER Sunday! Every Sunday, we'll feature one of our Native youth from our SPARK program which is dedicated to teaching Native Youth social marketing skills to ignite change in their community. This week, we're highlighting Sienna Posh (Pomo), one of our returning SPARKLERs and an outstanding youth leader! "I joined SPARK because I've always enjoyed my experiences with the program. I have been able to meet more Native youth, branch out of my comfort zone, and be more involved within the community. I love the environment and company I'm surrounded with and I've always felt welcomed. It also gives me something to look forward to. I'm excited to collaborate with my peers on this year's project," Sienna expressed. Stay tuned for their summer projects and watch our youth shine!

Today is System Administrator Appreciation Day, a time to recognize the IT professionals who keep organizations of all sizes up and running. Thank you to our IT department for ensuring our systems are secure and functional to allow our staff to focus on the health and well-being of our patients and community members!

Happy ! Bonnie Hutchinson is one of our talented Patient Services Representatives and has been with us for over 5 years! “My favorite part about working at SNAHC is how much I love working with everyone here. The people at SNAHC have the most amazing energy and vibes. Additionally, being able to help with patients and their needs is really fulfilling,” said Bonnie. Thank you, Bonnie, for your commitment to helping SNAHC be a place of care, community, and culture!

Attention all youth ages 12-17! Join us next Tuesday, July 30th, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at SNAHC Florin Road for a night of creative writing as we practice and learn the skills needed to write poetry with Nyeree Boyadjian. Registration is required. To register: https://bit.ly/PoetryWritingWorkshop

Join us for the 29th Annual Sacramento Powwow from Friday, August 9th to Sunday, August 11th at O'Neil Park, located at 715 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818. This event is a celebration of Native American food, arts, and culture, featuring traditional California dancers, Gourd dancing, Contest dancing, and more! Make sure to visit our SNAHC table for our t-shirt giveaway and other special prizes!

Happy SPARKLER Sunday! Every Sunday, we'll be featuring one of our Native youth from our SPARK program. This week, we're highlighting Michael Rodriquez (White Mountain Apache), a returning SPARKLER. Michael shared, "I joined SPARK again because I want to help continue building wellness with the youth in the Native community. I think it's important to have young representation as a voice in the community, especially if you have a passion for igniting change. Even if people are not a part of our culture, our social messages from last year spread to the greater community. From being a part of SPARK last year to being a Native Youth Ambassador (NYA), I'm excited to work on the new campaigns and continue spreading our legacy." Stay tuned for their projects and thank you to Michael for being an outstanding leader!

Summer is here, and so are all the fun activities that come with it! Whether you're hitting the beach, having a barbecue, or going on vacation, it's important to keep your dental health in check. Here are some summer dental tips to keep your smile bright:

- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

- Limit sugary snacks and drinks: Ice cream, soda, and sweet treats are tempting, but can lead to tooth decay. Opt for healthier options like fresh fruits and veggies.

- Wear a mouth guard while playing outside and being active: Protect your mouth and gums from any dangers, like getting damaged by a ball or falling.

- Practice good oral hygiene: Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Also, make sure to floss daily to remove any leftover food particles. ⁠

- Pack a Dental Travel Kit: When you're on the go, carry a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to maintain your oral hygiene routine.

On Thursday, July 11th, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 18 Native American tribes in California have been awarded almost $20M in grants to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) Crisis. The MMIP Grant aims at initiatives to create culturally specific prevention methods, enhance human trafficking response efforts, offer culturally relevant support services to impacted families and communities, and boost collaboration and communication on jurisdictional matters among state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies. To learn more: https://bit.ly/SupportForMMIPCrisis

Do you have housing-related needs and questions? Then join California Indian Legal Services on Friday, July 19th, at 11 am for their Tenants’ Rights Presentation where you will learn about eviction protections, habitability requirements, how to enforce rules against landlords, and more. CILS can provide FREE legal services to Native clients of urban Indian health organizations. Learn more by using the link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82282585526

Happy ! Robert Eichar is one of our outstanding Integrated Behavioral Health Providers and has been with us for over 5 months! “My favorite part about working at SNAHC is the integrated healthcare setting and how it allows me to collaborate with other providers. My patients often tell me how important and useful it is for them to see the majority of their providers in one place, which helps them feel more connected to their care. I enjoy working closely with my colleagues in other disciplines to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Robert. Thank you, Robert, for helping SNAHC bring equitable healthcare to our patients and community!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize July as “UV Safety Month.” Continuous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and eye damage. Protect yourself by being UV savvy when you're out in the sunshine:

- Wear a broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB) sunscreen on exposed skin.
- Sport a hat and sunglasses to shield your face and eyes.
- Regularly check your skin’s health with your doctor.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure, especially during mid-day hours.
- Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.

Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine responsibly!

Don’t forget about our Powwow Drum and Dance Class happening tomorrow, July 16th, from 6 pm to 8 pm at SNAHC Florin Road! To register: https://forms.gle/YmDP1NJ8PFj26MYr9

It's SPARKLER Sunday! Every Sunday, we'll feature one of our Native youth from our SPARK program that is dedicated to teaching Native Youth social marketing skills to ignite change in their community. This week, we're highlighting Lucero Valle (Yaqui, Carrizo, Zapotec, Isleta Pueblo), a returning SPARKLER and one of our outstanding leaders! "I joined SPARK last year and again this year because I absolutely loved it. Creating PSAs on substance abuse was a creative and eye-opening process for me. It's really fulfilling to see our projects from last year displayed at SNAHC Florin Road, which continues spreading important social messages. I'm excited for the field trips this year and can't wait to create a new campaign," Lucero expressed. Stay tuned for their summer projects and thank you to Lucero for all your hard work and dedication!

California tribes awarded almost $20M to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person crisis

We are so excited to share the official artwork and poster for the 57th Annual California Native American Day! We would like to gratefully acknowledge Carl Avery Studios (Yurok) for creating this beautiful art to symbolize this year's theme, "Recognizing 100 Years of Citizenship and the Fight for the Right to Vote: 1924-2024"

Happy ! Lo**ta Xuncax is one of our outstanding Medical Case Managers and has been with us for over 1 year and 5 months! “My favorite part about working at SNAHC is assisting patients who have language barriers, and patients who are dealing with substance abuse and homelessness. The best calls I receive are when patients state they are ready to become clean and sober, and they are in need of resources in the community. I feel grateful to help bring a traditional, innovative, and accessible patient-centered health home to the community,” said Lo**ta. Thank you, Lo**ta, for your commitment to helping SNAHC provide resources to our patients and community to enhance their well-being!

Attention all American Indian / Alaska Native youth ages 10 to 17! We are back with another outdoor field trip opportunity from our Respecting Natural Native Relationships Program! Join us on Saturday, August 10th, from 8 am to 6 pm for an outdoor, all-day trip to Alcatraz. Youth will be taking a tour guided by two of the elders who were part of the Alcatraz occupation! Transportation and snacks will be provided. Pre-registration is required. To register: https://bit.ly/RNNR2024

July 7-13 is National Therapeutic Recreation Week! "Therapeutic Recreation is a person-centered approach to therapy that leans on purposeful recreation and leisure activities to support people in pursuit of their goals, whether that be recovering from physical injuries or mental health challenges. This type of treatment has been shown to have physical, social, mental, and emotional benefits. While there are numerous evidence-based approaches to therapy, not all approaches will work for everyone. This week’s awareness of Therapeutic Recreation is a good reminder that there are various forms of therapy and it’s important to explore your options to find what feels best for you and your goals. Additionally, while not everyone has access to working with a therapeutic recreational therapist, we can all be intentional about incorporating meaningful leisure activities and physical movement into our daily lives," stated SNAHC Associate Clinical Social Worker Jess Husband.

IMPORTANT UPDATE! EAGLES is back but with new dates!

Early Ages Gathering to Learn Empathy through Stories (EAGLES) program is a 6-week, in-person program that guides kids through stories by Native authors and after-story activities. Featuring new books, this program helps kids develop an early understanding of feelings, which can support their physical and mental health later in life!

To register: https://bit.ly/EAGLESSummer24

We are back with another SPARKLER Sunday! Every Sunday, we'll feature one of our Native youth from our SPARK program, which is dedicated to teaching Native Youth social marketing skills to ignite change in their community. This week, we're highlighting Bryce McNally (Potawatomi), one of our outstanding youth leaders and a first-time SPARKLER! "I joined SPARK because it’s a great opportunity to meet new people. As someone who loves sports - baseball & basketball, and has a passion for video games and sneakers, community is important to me. I'm very interested in advertising and excited to learn about how to deliver messages and engage with the community," Bryce expressed. Stay tuned for their summer projects and watch our youth shine!

Since July 2008, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month has been dedicated to raising awareness about the distinct challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the United States regarding mental health. According to the CDC, "American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the highest rates of su***de of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. The rates of su***de in this population have been increasing every year since 2003."

SNAHC proudly supports the mental and emotional well-being of racial and ethnic minority populations, especially our American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We offer recovery classes and groups such as the Red Road, which incorporates White Bison teachings. This class, along with our Parenting and Depression-CBT skills groups, is inspired by Native traditions and is offered to registered SNAHC patients.

In our Native STAND (Standing Together Against Negative Decisions) 2.0, youth will dive into important topics about healthy relationships, sexual health, decision-making skills, and more! This program will be held from July 15th to 19th from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm at our Youth and Family Space at SNAHC Florin Road. Registration is required. To register: https://bit.ly/NativeSTAND

Happy ! Isabella Escoto (Pit River) is one of our talented Custodians and has been with us for almost three years! “My favorite part about working at SNAHC is keeping a safe, healthy, and clean environment for both patients and staff. SNAHC offers a positive work environment. Every day, I look forward to coming to work because it makes me happy,” said Isabella. Thank you, Isabella, for your unwavering dedication to providing a safe and healthy workplace for our staff, patients, and their families!

Reminder! SNAHC will be closed on Thursday, 7/4, in observance of the holiday. We will return to normal business hours on Friday, 7/5.

Culture is Prevention will be held on Tuesday, July 9th and 23rd, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in our Youth and Family Space at SNAHC Florin Road. Join us for this interactive two-part series on Beaded Rope Making, led by Jesse Sanchez (Nhañhu/Teenek/Lipan Ndé). Supplies will be provided, and the class size is limited to 35 participants. Pre-registration is required. To register: https://forms.office.com/r/MxZFXwMZQA

Welcome back to part four, the finale, of College Life Tips: Indigenous Wellness! This series features weekly posts from our American Indian/Alaskan Native youth attending American River College. This week, Anonymous (Susanville Indian Rancheria), who is in an Allied Health education program, shared, "Embrace and cherish the positives in life, no matter how small they may seem. Each positive moment and every small change holds the potential for personal growth and transformation. By focusing on these positives and embracing change, you can cultivate a mindset of resilience and continuous improvement." If you or someone you know is in need or struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please text or call 988.

Important Announcement! Our Diabetes Living Well and Vibrant Moves classes are on hold until September. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Don’t forget about our Powwow Drum and Dance Class happening tomorrow, July 2nd, from 6 pm to 8 pm at SNAHC Florin Road! To register: https://forms.gle/YmDP1NJ8PFj26MYr9