2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career Effectively Reaching Native American Families In Your Community Ladonna Kirkaldie Parent Strand S1-208-National Parent Center Highlights:VISIONS: Kirkaldie
ALL NATIVE AMERICANS ARE NOT ALIKE Known By Many Names –Native American –American Indian –Indian –Native People Tribal Nation Affiliations of Individuals For Example: –Anishnaabe –Ojibway –Chippewa 560+ Federally Recognized / 200 State Recognized
Separate Nations Means Separate: –Languages –Customs –Creation Stories –Ceremonies –Tribal Government Structures –Community Organizations WE ARE SEPARATE NATIONS Never Assume Two Recognized Tribes Are The Same
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Direct Eye Contact (or lack thereof) Direct Questions and Answers Response Time “Indian Time” Yearly Schedule Multiple Providers In The Home
HOW TO APPROCH THE NATIVE COMMUNITY IN YOUR AREA Locate Tribal Leadership Offices Federally recognized State recognized Schedule Meeting With Leadership Members Contact Administrative Secretary May meet in front of whole tribal council Be flexible with tribal council They may need to reschedule on short notice Provide Materials For Tribal Council For distribution to tribal members
NATIVE AMERICANS IN URBAN AREAS Locate Indian Centers Indian Health Services (I.H.S) Local Health and Human Services Online Resource/Locate Tribes in Your State: Federal/State recognized along with removed tribes who still maintain offices in the area. Google tribes in your state i.e., New Mexico tribes
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Indian Health Service National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) American Indian Health National Directory of Native American VR Programs by State NCAI Youth Commission
THANK YOU For more information please contact: Ladonna Kirkaldie/VISIONS Director (877) Website: