indigenous rising

Why Are American Indians and Alaska Natives Affected by HIV?
Race and ethnicity alone are not risk factors for HIV infection. However, AI/AN may face challenges associated with risk for HIV.
Lack of awareness of HIV status. Overall, approximately one in six (16%) adults and adolescents living with HIV infection in the United States at the end of 2010 were unaware of their HIV infection. However, by race/ethnicity, a greater percentage of adult and adolescent AI/AN (21%) were estimated to have undiagnosed HIV infection. This translates to an estimated 900 people in the AI/AN community living with undiagnosed HIV infection at the end of 2010.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). AI/AN have the second highest rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among all racial/ethnic groups. STIs increase the susceptibility to HIV infection.
AI/AN gay and bisexual men may face culturally based stigma and confidentiality concerns that could limit opportunities for education and HIV testing, especially among those who live in rural communities or on reservations.
Cultural diversity. There are over 560 federally recognized AI/AN tribes, whose members speak over 170 languages. Because each tribe has its own culture, beliefs, and practices and can be subdivided into language groups, it can be challenging to create culturally appropriate prevention programs for each group.
Socioeconomic issues. Poverty, including lack of housing and HIV prevention education, directly and indirectly increases the risk for HIV infection and affects the health of people living with and at risk for HIV infection. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, AI/AN have higher poverty rates, have completed fewer years of education, are younger, are less likely to be employed, and have lower rates of health insurance coverage.
Mistrust of government and its health care facilities. The federally funded Indian Health Service (IHS) provides health care for approximately 2 million AI/AN and consists of direct services delivered by the IHS, tribally operated health care programs, and urban Indian health care services and resource centers. However, because of confidentiality and quality-of-care concerns and a general distrust of the US government, some AI/AN may avoid IHS.
Alcohol and illicit drug use. Although alcohol and substance use do not cause HIV infection, they can reduce inhibitions and impair judgment and lead to behaviors that increase the risk of HIV. Injection drug use directly increases the risk of HIV through contaminated syringes and works. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, AI/AN tend to use alcohol and drugs at a younger age, use them more often and in higher quantities, and experience more negative consequences from them.
Data limitations. Racial misidentification of AI/AN may lead to the undercounting of this population in HIV surveillance systems and may contribute to the underfunding of AI/AN-targeted services.

(Source: cdc.gov)

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(Source: kumeyaay.info)

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“Exploring Hoosier Minority Groups: Indiana’s Native American PopulationRachel Strange

Geodemographic Analyst, Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Indiana’s population has become increasingly diverse in terms of race and origin. Results from the latest census count for 2010 provide us with a rich set of information from which to gain insight into our population diversity. This article is the last of four InContext articles to provide demographic snapshots of our minority population. Native Americans comprised 0.3 percent of Indiana’s population in 2010 and will be the focus of this snapshot. (View the articles on Indiana’s black population, Indiana’s Hispanic population and Indiana’s Asian population.) The overview that follows focuses on population, household formation, income and education."

These are statistics that Indigenous people in Indiana, USA, are experiencing. Very relevant to all of us.

(Source: incontext.indiana.edu)

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“What the diagram points out is that not only are white and Indian values different and often conflict, but that the values of an ethnic group essentially determine that group’s educational system. When the two systems are merged together, or one system dominates, the result is poor performance by the Indian child, or the child whose ethnic group is in the weaker position within the school system.” ~Thomas Davis and Alfred Pyatskowit

(Source: jaie.asu.edu)

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“1. Native American Students Have The Lowest High School Graduation Rates In The Country (USA)

2. In Recent Years, Their (Native American students) Average ACT Scores Have Declined Substantially

3. Native Students Have Less Access To High-Level High School Courses

4. Most (Native American students) Are Not Proficient In Reading Or Math By Eighth Grade ”

The Education System Is Failing Native American Students. Here’s Proof.The Huffington Post | By Rebecca Klein

The article did not mention the astronomical numbers of American Indian and Alaskan Indian children dropping out of school, too. One of students in this American Indian education program has dropped out of school at the age of eleven, and she is not the only one.

(Source: The Huffington Post)

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Indian Country Today Media Network
Children Committing Suicide: An End at the Beginning

http://bit.ly/17cK3yb

(Source: facebook.com)

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Art by Lyn Risling

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Just made this to give away at the powwow in a jewelry basket.

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Saw this on Facebook. Joaquin this is too much.

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Tribe In North Carolina Bans Fracking

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has joined a growing number of local governments opposing the state legislature’s decision to allow hydraulic fracturing, called fracking, in North Carolina. Ea…

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has joined a growing number of local governments opposing the state legislature’s decision to allow hydraulic fracturing, called fracking, in North Carolina. Earlier this month, tribal council passed a resolution outlawing the practice on tribal lands, a force of authority stronger than what county and municipal governments possess.

The June legislation that lifted the state’s moratorium on fracking included a clause keeping local governments from outlawing the practice in their jurisdiction, so their resolutions are an expression of opinion rather than an act of law. But the Eastern Band is a sovereign nation, so the tribal council is able to completely prevent drilling on Cherokee land.

“The State of North Carolina is without legal authority to permit hydraulic fracturing on Tribal Trust lands,” the resolution reads, later CONTINUING, “The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will not permit or authorize any person, corporation or other legal entity to engage in hydraulic fracturing on Tribal Trust lands.”

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http://westcoastnativenews.com/family-says-rcmp-officer-elbowed-71-year-old-woman-in-the-face/ :

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Loretta Edjericon of Fort Resolution suffered black eye, bruises

RCMP in N.W.T. are investigating a complaint about a Fort Resolution officer assaulting a community elder.

Margo Edjericon says her 71-year-old mother was injured when two officers pushed their way into her mother’s house at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Margo Edjericon says the officers were looking for a young woman. She says she told the two officers that the person they were looking for was in the house but was sleeping and she told them to come back later.

“They pushed their way in,” she said. “One cop … pinned me down on the floor with my arms behind my back and had his knee in my back.”

The other officer continued into the house.

“He came in the hallway and my mom was coming from the bedroom, and that other cop elbowed my mom in the face and had her pinned against the wall.”

Margo Edjericon says her mother, Loretta Edjericon — who is also the mother of Fort Resolution chief Louis Balsillie — suffered two black eyes, facial swelling and bruising to her arm. They’re waiting for test results to find out if she also suffered a concussion and broken nose.

“I trusted the cops all my life, till this happened,” said Margo Edjericon.

RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko says a senior G Division officer from outside the Fort Resolution detachment is investigating the incident.

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The Atikamekw nation asserting its sovereignty and is targeting forestry companies

The Atikamekw First Nation says it will not allow any forestry work on its territory in Quebec unless it has given prior approval. Th

“The Atikamekw nation asserting its sovereignty and is targeting forestry companies

In a statement, the Atikamekw prevent any logging operation will be allowed on its territory without the operating companies without obtaining prior consent.

This new salvo comes as several forest companies must obtain re-registration in the forest management of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system. It is precisely on this point that intend to address the Atikamekw to block the operation on their territory Opitciwan.”

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