Current projects
Minnesota/Wisconsin Inter-Tribal Colorectal Cancer Council (MWICCC): We facilitate the Minnesota Wisconsin Inter-Tribal Colorectal Cancer Council, with support provided by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Mayo Clinic’s Spirit of Eagles. MWICCC strives to foster inter-tribal collaborations to define colorectal cancer prevention, early detection and treatment barriers along with their solutions for Native communities, provide health education programs with up-to-date information and improve CRC community outreach to increase screening rates. If you want more information, contact Kris: 612-672-8668 or krhodes@AICAF.org
Community Health Worker & Cancer Screening Navigator: We deploy a community health worker to conduct cancer prevention education and promote the benefits of screening. She also helps American Indian men and women in the Twin Cities to overcome cancer screening barriers and complete cancer screening as recommended. If you or someone you know would like more information about cancer screening, contact Joy: 612-202-0588 (call or text) or jrivera@AICAF.org (email). Funding for these efforts is provided by the American Cancer Society, Minnesota Department of Health and Healthy People 2020.
Improving Northern Plains American Indians Colorectal Cancer Screening (INPACS) Project: In partnership with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and a contract from the Indian Health Service (IHS), we are assessing the cancer prevention and screening policies and practices of nearly 60 IHS, tribal and urban health systems across the Northern Plains. The project activities include: 1) cataloguing local capacity for colorectal cancer screening and care; 2) assessing screening processes by collecting information on clinic systems and 3) engaging health care providers in identifying solutions through an on-site session that includes a health care provider assessment, a presentation on Colorectal Cancer Best Practices (with CME and nurse CEU accreditation) and a focus group discussion to identify common barriers and solutions to incorporate into clinical systems of care. If you want more information, contact Anne: 612-672-8667 or awalaszek@AICAF.org
American Indian Systems for Tobacco Addiction Treatment (STAT): With funding from ClearWay Minnesota and in partnership with three American Indian clinics, we are developing systems to integrate tobacco intervention into every health care visit. The 5As include: Ask about smoking status at every health care visit; Advise smokers to quit, Assess readiness to quit, Assist with developing a plan to quit, and Arrange for follow-up. It is anticipated that such integration will increase rates of the delivery of tobacco dependence treatments, increase quit attempts, and increase successful smoking cessation among American Indians. The intervention focuses on two main strategies based on established evidence: 1) health care provider education, and 2) the provision of clinical systems tools to encourage and support clinic staff involvement in the assessment of smoking status and tobacco dependence (automated reminders, a documentation strategy, a referral system for intensive cessation assistance, and a provider feedback loop). If you want more information, contact Kris: 612-672-8668 or krhodes@AICAF.org.
Powwow for Hope “Dancing for life, love, & hope!” is a community event that is an opportunity for everyone to offer love and support to the cancer survivors and caregivers in the community, to honor loved ones who have battled cancer and to learn more about cancer prevention and resources. Powwow for Hope is a fundraiser for the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF). All funds raised by individuals and teams will be used to address the cancer burdens faced by many American Indian families throughout Indian Country. If you want more information, contact Laura: 612-564-5060 (call or text) or powwow@AICAF.org
Pink Shawl Project: With funding supported by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Minnesota, AICAF will develop and foster the collaborative partnerships necessary to support a sustainable, culturally appropriate system for raising awareness and educating American Indian women about breast health issues and improving access to screening in a way that is culturally-tailored and community based. Project activities include 1) raising awareness about breast health issues in culturally-specific ways within tribal and urban communities through the development and delivery of the Pink Shawl Project and other culturally relevant information and events and 2) promoting programs that increase access to breast health education and screening through improved coordination and use of available resources. If you want more information, contact Laura: 612-201-1157 or lkeys@AICAF.org
Pink Shawl at 2012 Powwow for Hope
