[Newsletter] June 2022
(June 1, 2022)
PREPARING FOR A NEW PHASE
It’s that time of year here in Aotearoa when the caterpillars are eating all they can so they have energy and sustenance for the next phase of life. Like them, Red Star is readying itself for the next phase of our work. We hope you will join us on this journey of healing, reclamation and transformation to ensure a healthy future for coming generations!
Canoe Dedication on July 23, 2022 (Aotearoa)
Red Star and Rehua Innovations are partnering to build a sailing outrigger canoe to revitalize mātangirua – dual powered sailing by wind and paddle. Sailing outrigger canoes is a longstanding tradition across Polynesia. However, its revival in Aotearoa is in its infancy. With the generous support of Creative New Zealand, Frank Te Mihinui Kawe was able to build the sailing components of the canoe, which will be completed next month. Our canoe dedication will be held during the Matariki season, a celebration of the Māori New Year in Aotearoa.
“Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars (Pleiades) reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.”
Traditional canoe practices promote wellness by affirming our cultural identity, community connection and our relationship with the natural environment.
Learn more about Matariki.
Revitalizing Inherent Alignment for Community Health
Red Star collaborated with four tribes and one tribal entity to work across sectors – health care, public health, social services and education – to strengthen communication, collaboration, and service coordination for their communities’ wellbeing. Red Star provided small grants and worked with the tribes to share their success stories with others. It was an honor to serve as the community-based partner on the Indigenous Systems: Revitalizing Inherent Alignment initiative led by Seven Directions, A Center for Indigenous Public Health at the University of Washington. This project was a practice-based research study of how health care delivery, public health, and social services sectors work together to achieve shared goals.
Transforming Tribal Health Governance
We are grateful for the opportunity to share the Tribal Health Governance Transformation: A Resource to Strengthen Sovereignty through Public Health Authority. This resource is a practical guide to enhancing tribal governance and public health law, building strategic partnerships, and improving community health. The resource draws upon Indigenous models of nation building and healing to promote cultural and political sovereignty.
We are excited to present this work in partnership with Cherokee Nation at the 2022 Tribal Self-Governance Conference in August, hosted by the Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium in Burlingame (San Francisco), California. We will also be delivering a 3-hour pre-conference training at the National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota on August 29, 2022. Contact us to get involved in these important events
Restoring Balance for Health and Sustainability
Indigenous knowledge systems are locally based, regionally manifested, and therefore, globally relevant. That is why Red Star is leading a roundtable series exploring the value of a global collaborative to advance Indigenous-led systems transformation. Indigenous knowledge systems represent a positive determinant for the wellbeing of humanity and the environment. Our goal is to meaningful engage Indigenous Leaders who are committed to addressing environmental challenges and their health impacts.
Contact us to learn more.
Advancing Wellness
It’s at the heart of everything we do.
Make a Donation
Growing community is like growing corn – it requires nurturing, cultivation, and abundant sharing for all to benefit. A gift to Red Star International helps us strengthen programs, develop resources and grow our global Indigenous collaborative for healthy and vibrant communities.
While grants and contracts fund specific projects, it’s generous donors like you that play a vital role in making this work happen!