MFP Staff Honored at 2008 NANAINA Summit
Summary of the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA): “Creating a Healing Community: Partnerships to improve the care of Indian people.”
October 26-29, 2008
MFP Attendees: Dr. Martha Primeaux, a founder and charter member of the American Indian/Alaskan Native Nurses' Association and the first Native American inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Dr. Faye Gary, Executive Consultant and Executive Director of the MFP, Now a Lifetime Member of NANAINA!!
Ms. Janet Jackson, Program Director of the MFP
Dr. Beverly Malone, Keynote Speaker, CEO of the National
League for Nursing and MFP alumni
Dr. John Lowe, MFP Advisory council
Dr. Martha Baker, Current President of NANAINA, MFP
Advisory council
Dr. Donna M. Grandbois, Ph.D, RN, MFP Post-Doctoral fellow
Ms. Beverly Patchell, Past NANAINA President and MFP Fellow
NANAINA 2008 Honorary members and NANAINA Founders:
Dr. Martha Primeaux, Dr. Lorene Farris, Capt. Audrey Koertvelyessy, MS, MA, FNP, and in honor and remembrance of Janice Kekahbah, MS, RN.
The 2008 NANAINA Conference was held in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in the lovely resort town of Branson, MO. The focus of the conference was on creating healing “communities” through partnerships to improve the healthcare of Alaska Native and American Indian people. This included partnerships between minority nursing organizations and their members; partnerships between tribes and nurses for care; partnerships between American Indian communities and universities; partnerships within nursing and between disciplines to improve healthcare, such as exemplary programs presented on foot care, women’s health and childhood diabetes management.
Conference Highlights:
• Dr. Beverly Malone’s excellent Keynote address which focused on the need for nurses to develop partnerships at the national and international level.
• Plenary Keynote speaker Julia Doney, President of the Fort Belknap Community Council, the governing body of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap, Montana Reservation. President Doney gave an excellent presentation on: “Tribes partnering with Nurses to improve the health of Native people and communities”.
• Dr. Faye Gary was inducted as a lifetime member of NANAINA and was presented with a beautiful shawl in commemoration of her contributions and leadership as an outstanding role model for nurses. As the Executive Director of the Minority Fellowship Program Dr. Gary has been instrumental in meeting the challenge of creating a diverse workforce of Ph.D prepared nurse researchers and academicians of color to help address the many health issues and disparities that confront minority populations.
• Much to her surprise, Ms Janet Jackson was presented with a beautiful Pendleton blanket to honor her contributions to nursing as the Program Director of the Minority Fellowship Program. She knew about the award for Dr. Gary but was caught completely off guard when she was also honored. Ms. Jackson works tirelessly for the fellowship program and is quick to offer her support whenever it is needed.
• This years “Silent Auction” raised more money than any other year, thanks in part by the “heated, but fun rivalries” between various members.
• MFP post-doctoral fellow Donna Grandbois, Ph.D, RN presented her research via a poster titled: A study of resilience in the lived experience of Native American Elders.
• Capt. Audrey Koertvelyessy was surprised and honored when the announcement was made that an annual scholarship in her name would be given each year to a deserving Native American nursing student. Captain Koertvelyessy has been a devoted and tireless advocate of NANAINA and is so deserving of this honor! She announced her retirement as a Senior Public Health Analyst at HRSA/MCHB/DRTE.
The conference closed with all those present joining their voices to phonetically sing “Amazing Grace” in the Cherokee Language. It was truly a beautiful ending to a wonderful gathering of Native, non-native nurses, and friends who share a commitment to partnering in the efforts to “Create Healing Communities” in Indian country.
Ooh nay thla nah, hee oo way gee’ (Amazing grace! How sweet the sound)
E gah gwoo yah hay ee (That saved and strength-ened me)
Naw gwoo joe sah, we you low say (I once was lost, but now am found)
E gah gwoo yah ho nah (Was blind, but now I see).
Submitted by Donna Grandbois, PhD, RN
SAMHSA MFP Post-Doctoral Fellow