The average person has 2,000+ photos on their phone.
I have 10,000. How many do you have?
The use of photos and images in the human experience can be traced back thousands of years and for many different reasons. Legal experts use photographs as explanatory or illustrative evidence, to clarify or support testimony. Statisticians at MIT use photographs as data sources to teach students what modern statistics can look like. Historians and librarians use photographs to capture a moment in time, record details of life, and share legacy information that words fail to describe. Researchers use photos as a method to engage observers in a process of finding meaning in the data that is their own. Activists use photographs to document the evolution of social justice movements and change. Recovery agencies like SAMHSA use photos to document journeys of healing.
How do you use photos to find meaning or memories from your existence?
This summer we went on a photographic journey and collected evidence of community and connection. These photographs are the evidence of what our work looks like beyond the screens…details and moments happening in our lives and the lives of communities that we serve. Reflecting on these photos we can find new meaning in our work and in communities that give us hope.
June 2024
Our partners at the California Rural Indian Health Board, University of California (UC), Merced, and Red Thunder Vision created a video series that aims to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among California American Indian youth. The AKA team attended the four-day wellness event at CRIHB, led by Red Thunder Vision, which emphasized wellness and empowerment and brought together local Native youth and elders and professional production staff to create the social media health messaging. The photos and videos from the event reflect the strong California Native culture, values, and priorities.
Doya Natsu Healing Center’s Annual Youth Powwow shows the beauty of community, strength of culture, and fun times. Over 170 dancers participated in the Powwow kicking of Shoshone Indian Days.
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board continues to show us how to engage Indigenous youth and communities in evaluation and research. AKA Associate Sadie Posey led the NPAIHB research and evaluation workshop with 15+ Indigenous youth. We had fun and collected so many blessings along the way.
July 2024
The Unity Conference is one we have always wanted to attend and this year's event in Portland Oregon made it possible. We spent time with our partners at the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and the Fort Peck Tribes NDO Youth Council. Youth leaders gave us stories, ideas, and challenges to consider in our work.
Another trip to Wyoming and Doya Natsu Healing Center gave us time with Director Kellie Webb. We checked out the new Healing for Wheeling mobile outreach van and spent time at the new Recovery Ranch. We witnessed how horse culture connects youth to community, sober activities, and a positive identity. Researchers like Dr. Kait Hirchak show us what it means to walk in two worlds as an Indigenous woman with some serious research skills, grounded in her culture.
Fort Peck Tribal Health. The photos do not do this time and space justice. They asked us to facilitate strategic planning. We humbly agreed. Strategic planning was about visioning for the future, celebrating successes, and creating an actionable plan for the next five years. Employee wellness and self-care are a must in the work we do.
AKA hosted a 1-day employee appreciation event at the Wolf Point Golf Course. It was 100+ degrees. Beef Archambault was our MC and with this guy, you cannot help but have a good time. Delicious Famous Dave's BBQ was served along with unique drinks from the Drink Stand.
Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center. Elders, sewing machines, good food at the Sherman Inn, time at the Wolf Point Youth Center, early morning walks to see the sunrise and dogs barking, and conversations that will stay with us for a long time.
We did more than work. Free bingo night at the casino was the most exciting event- we did not win the jackpot but we left feeling like winners!
Boys and Girls Club Northern Cheyenne Nation. Youth basketball, buffalo ranch, elders, old friends, and more. Our time in the community showed us the coming generation and buffalo in pastures that have roamed for thousands of years. We felt hope, connection, and evidence that all of this matters.
August 2024
We love our time in Montana with Associates and partners who ground us in what matters.
AKA Associates attended the Tribal Leaders Council Health Conference and connected with people and programs we have not seen in a long time. Dr. Dewey Ertz shared findings from the Forest of Resilience review, reminding us that we are deeply connected to one another and our environment. He reminded us to always consult the elders, in everything we do.
AKA hosted an open house with a serious charcuterie board from Ashely Weigum.
Traveled to Crow Fair to see beauty in teepees and culture.
We spent time talking with Elders like Dewey Ertz, Ernie Big Horn, and Clayton Small who remind us that we are sacred, our work is essential, and our collective efforts make a difference.
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