141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

279937
Think tribally, act locally: Typology of approaches used for tribal tobacco policy work

Monday, November 4, 2013

Sheryl Scott, MPH , Scott Consulting Partners LLC, Richland Center, WI
Coco Villaluz, BA, , ClearWay Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Chris Matter , Community Development, ClearWay Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Jaime Martinez , Community Development Department, ClearWay Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Joanne D'Silva, MPH , Research Department, ClearWay Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
American Indian communities suffer tremendously from the effects of commercial tobacco. With a smoking prevalence over 50%, the eleven Ojibwe and Dakota tribes in Minnesota face some of the highest disparities in tobacco-related health conditions. As sovereign nations, tribes are not subject to state smoke-free laws, so community members are forging their own path to creating healthy policies. ClearWay Minnesota, a nonprofit foundation created through the historic Minnesota tobacco settlement, assists tribes by funding the Tribal Tobacco Education and Policy (TTEP) projects. Beginning in 2008, ClearWay Minnesota provided funding for a full-time coordinator to work on tobacco policy change in four Ojibwe tribes. One of the tribes withdrew in 2009 and a Dakota tribe joined in 2011. Since 2009, our collaborative evaluation uses mixed methods, including monthly reviews and annual reflection sessions, to capture the advocacy process from the vantage point of tribes. We noted a pattern that TTEP coordinators are thinking tribally – integrating their teachings and knowledge of their own people and history -- then translating it locally to their specific setting and community. We have developed a basic typology to describe three approaches: networking, community organizing and community education. A combination of factors – tribal leadership, community readiness, and TTEP structure – along with each coordinator's specific interest and experience – led to an emphasis on different strategies in different communities. Respect (building capacity for “home-grown” strategies and sovereignty to flourish) and restoration (building on the strength of tradition) are integral to policy work in tribal communities.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe at least one culturally specific issue related to tribal community solutions to smoke-free policy Name three approaches to advocacy and policy work used in tribal communities Identify the "2Rs" for advocates in local tribal communities

Keywords: Advocacy, American Indians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have served as the external evaluator for the Tribal Tobacco Policy Initiative of ClearWay Minnesota since 2009 with an emphasis on a collaborative, team-based approach. My experience includes over two decades of work using empowerment and collaborative evaluation methods in partnership with Native communities, other communities facing disparities and public health agencies.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
ClearWay Minnesota evaluation Consultant

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.