‘Health’ Archives
DO THE BYI *CHATS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BUILD HEALTH?
HIGHLIGHTS: Backyard Initiative Evaluation Report NOTE: “Evaluation” is often considered to be something that is done AFTER a project or program has been completed. The BYI is evaluating as the work unfolds. This allows the teams doing the work of the BYI to tweak and improve in order to increase the impact of the health improvement efforts on residents of the BYI area. . Program Evaluation and the Backyard Initiative From the field of program evaluation, the Backyard Initiative (BYI) is seen as a community-building enterprise in which residents who live in proximity to each other have come together as a collective to act in their shared self-interest. The Initiative sees strengthening community as the means that will lead to better resident health. The Definition of Health created by residents defines health broadly, to include social, emotional, economic, spiritual, and physical conditions. The lead agency for the Backyard Initiative is the Cultural Wellness [...]
BYI Circle of Healing Practitioners Highlight: Beyond Historical Trauma
by Nancy Bordeaux and Phoebe Iron Necklace Six years ago, Nancy Bordeaux and I crossed paths at a Native American naming ceremony for my Grandson. Our conversation subsequently revolved around the powerful responsibilities we “Oceti Sakowin win” were entrusted to uphold within our respective families and communities. Fast forwarding the significance of this story, the seed of our initial conversation softened and sprouted roots. We found ourselves conducting outreach and networking with women of the Seven Council Fires whose people speak the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota dialects and language. The Oceti Sakowin is the formal name of our indigenous nation. Therefore, it was under our nation”'s protocols that we converged and stood as a group to sing prayer, healing, and women”'s songs. In the process, we committed ourselves to reinvigorate our personal lives with health and healing in this sacred and collective manner. Our newfound capacity enabled us to encircle [...]
