The National Native Network formed the Tribal Health Alliance in an effort to bring together a group of leaders from Indian Country who are committed to the health of tribal communities with special focus in commercial tobacco abuse prevention.  The Tribal Health Alliance will assist the National Native Network to effectively communicate its message throughout Indian Country and will also play a vital role in advocating for policies that increase American Indian/Alaska Natives’ access to resources in promoting health and preventing disease.

Members include:

Jerome Kills Small - From the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  Jerome is a Lakota storyteller and oral historian.  He is an arena director, conducts ceremonies, and explains cultural protocol.  He makes grows and harvests foods and medicines along with his wife.

 

Albert White Hat, Sr. - (Sicangu Lakota) Albert is a seasoned educator, author, lunguist, tribal and spiritual leader, and respected elder.  He has been a Lakota Language instructor for over twenty-five years.  He began teaching at the first tribal-based university, Sinte Gleska, and later became the director of their Lakota Language Program.  He has also provided Lakota translations for a number of Hollywood movies including Dances with Wolves starring Kevin Costner.

James Afcan - Alaskan born, James carries on the traditions of his people through song and dance.  Through his own work, and the works of others, he has become a consultant of Native Arts, and founded the Miracle Drummers and Dancers in Wasilla.

 

John J. Johnson - (Bay City, MI)   John is a Certified Prevention Consultant-M from Bay City Michigan with 20 years of experience in the field of substance abuse prevention, and currently serves as a Prevention Consultant for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan.  John also served as an Associate for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Central Region Resource Team.  John has provided Prevention education trainings to other Native American Communities, and was the Drug and Alcohol NCO for his Active Army and National Guard units.

Dr.  Charles Grim - (Cherokee-Oklahoma) Dr. Grim served as the Director of the Indian Health Services (IHS) from 2002 - 2008.  He holds a Master's Degree in Health Services Administration along with a degree in Dentistry.  Dr. Grim was the first dentist to serve as Director of IHS.

 

Jackie Kaslow - Jackie Kaslow is the Director of the Family and Community Health Services Department at the California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB).  She is originally from Sacramento, with family enrollment in the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. Ms. Kaslow’s management responsibilities at CRIHB include but are not limited to administrative and fiscal oversight for multiple program pods and staffs in the department; oversight for the development of new funding and program opportunities; adherence to the mission and strategic plan of CRIHB and its board; representation of the FCHS department goals, objectives and outcomes to tribal, local, state and nationals government agencies and regulatory bodies.  She received her education from the University of California at Los Angeles, with a master’s degree in Public Health.

Ray Tainpeah -

 

 

Tatanka Means - (Lakota/Dine/Omaha) An actor and comedian, Tatanka has appeared in television series such as Into the West, Comanche Moon, and the PBS documentary series An American Experience: We Shall Remain.  Tatanka also has his own clothing line.  More information can be found about him at www.tatankameans.com.

Carla-Rae Holland - (Seneca/Mohawk/French Canadian) Carla-Rae is an actress from upstate New York.  She has appeared in several television series including New Amsterdam, Freedom Riders, and Scoundrels.  More information can be found about her at www.carlarae.com