NARCH Success Story #1 (Student Development)

Increasing numbers of Native American students are poised for academic success. Since 2009, the Southwest Tribal NARCH Student Development program has funded 31 Native students attending 17 different universities.  At the end of 2014, advanced degrees were awarded to 12 Southwest Tribal NARCH scholarship recipients attending nine universities throughout the country.

NARCH Success Story #2 (Public Health Research)

The Tribal Solutions for Youth Affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) pilot research project breaks new ground by partnering with tribal communities to identify sources of strength and resiliency to address the impact of ACE.

HIV/AIDS/STD Prevention Program Success Story

The Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc. STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention program has hosted The Circle of Harmony which is a unique event. It is the only conference of its kind devoted to addressing HIV/AIDS prevention and substance abuse prevention from a distinctly Native American perspective.

The use of storytelling; the Talking Circle; and the presentations or prevention/treatment/service tools, techniques, and/or approaches that are specific to tribal communities are not found in any other conferences of this type.

Circle of Harmony features a Talking Circle that provides a safe and nurturing space for everyone to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings about the many challenges we face in these times of HIV/AIDS. The principle of confidentially is adhered to in reference to what is disclosed during the talking circle.

Support and care is given to all who attend. Every participant has an opportunity to speak from their heart without interruption or judgment. Native Americans have come to trust and accept the tenants of this conference because of culturally appropriate way topics are presented at the conference.

Since its inception in 1999, the Circle of Harmony (COH) has sought to fill gaps in knowledge about HIV infection. Experts familiar with HIV infection, risk factors associated with infection, and Native communities have been recruited to present at the conference. Health care workers, substance abuse counselors, Community Health Representatives, educators, and others who work directly with Native Americans were invited and encouraged to attend the conference. Tribal leaders were also encouraged to attend to learn about factors which put their own community members at risk of HIV infection.