Tribal Health & Wellness
CDC & NIFA Tribal Programs
This storymap is intended as a tool to identify common priorities and areas for collaboration between TPWIC and tribal extension projects. Scroll down for a basic summary of these programs and their impacts on tribal communities. Explore the maps for more information about specific projects.
The maps featured here are interactive - click on map symbols to learn more about individual projects. You can also zoom in and out using the + and - buttons on the bottom left of the map and pan by clicking and dragging. To zoom to your current location, click the round compass icon at the bottom left.
On the map below, the green dots represent FRTEP projects, the squares represent 1994 Land-Grant Institution extension projects and the black dots represent TPWIC projects.
TPWIC & NIFA Projects
TPWIC (Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country)
The Center for Disease Contol's TPWIC program encourages and supports tribal practices that build resiliency and connections to community, family, and culture to improve tribal health. The program funds tribes and Urban Indian Organizations across the US to sustain healthy traditional practices and community connections.
By using a holistic approach to health and working directly with AI/AN communities, the program aims to address issues including historical trauma, higher rates of chronic disease, and underlying risk factors.
The map to the right shows currently active TPWIC programs across the country. Toggle the button below to see IHS (Indian Health Service) facilities on the map.
Scroll down to learn more about TPWIC's programs.
Health Promotion
TPWIC aims to improve health in tribal communities through promoting healthy living practices which align with traditional values and cultural practices.
Physical activities such as powwow dances and stick ball tournaments both build community connections and individual health. TPWIC also helps promote balanced diets with classes on gardening, traditional food preparation, and nutrition.
Cultural Practices
Connecting with traditional and cultural practices is essential to overall social and emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging. TPWIC programs focus on sharing traditional knowledge between generations, enabling tribal elders to pass down important cultural practices and skills to the next generation.
Social & Emotional Wellbeing
Health is about more than just physical fitness, and TPWIC programs work to foster improved social and emotional wellbeing and supportive communities. Establishing a sense of belonging, intergenerational connections, and closeness to reconnecting with traditional ways can help individuals overcome traumas and improve overall wellbeing.
Activities have included mindfulness and resiliency sessions, visits to senior centers, and talking circles to share traditional knowledge & wisdom.
NIFA Tribal Extension Programs
NIFA runs two extension programs: the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) and the 1994 Land-Grant Institution extension projects. Extension projects include youth programs, farmer/rancher support, financial literacy training, and cultural activities.
Extension projects are focused especially on agriculture, food sovereignty, and addressing the needs of rural communities.
Explore the map to the right to learn more about these programs. Click on the symbols to learn more about extension programs in that area.
Scroll down for more information on how extension programs align with TPWIC's goals.
Health Promotion
In rural areas, accessing fresh produce and healthy foods can be extremely difficult, leading to health issues such as obesity and diabetes. Extension addresses this through food sovereignty initiatives and by supporting tribal agricultural producers.
Programs include community gardening initiatives, classes on preparing and preserving healthy foods, and food distribution programs.
Extension supports agricultural producers through assistance with day-to-day operations as well as facilitating farmer's markets and livestock fairs to help distribute their products to local markets.
Cultural Practices
Preserving traditional ways of life and cultural heritage is a priority for extension programs. In addition to workshops on subjects such as traditional ribbon skirt making or Lakota language storytelling, extension facilitates events including fairs, powwows, and rodeos.
In addition to building community connections and teaching skills, cultural programs can also connect with health promotion goals. Activities such as building gardens for traditional medicinal plants or manoomin (wild rice) harvesting events help people practice healthier diets and lifestyles.
Social & Emotional Wellbeing
Social and mental health issues are very relevant for tribal communities, and accessing help can be even more difficult in rural areas.
Extension seeks to address this through increasing social connections and support, as well as partnering with local health organizations to raise awareness and facilitate activities like equine therapy.
Tribal youth activities are an especially important focus of extension, and programs like 4H not only teach practical skills but also foster confidence and provide communities for young people.
