Thriving Indigenous Communities: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact
Includes a Live Web Event on 10/22/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
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- Early bird pricing available!
- Non-member - $20
- Member - Free!
- Student Member - Free!
- Student Non-Member - $10
- Regular Price after 10/22/2026 2:00 PM
- Non-member - $20
- Member - $10
- Student Member - $5
- Student Non-Member - $10
This webinar will highlight the Center for Alaska Native Health Research’s current research programs and real-world innovations designed to improve behavioral health, prevent chronic disease, and address the public health impacts of environmental stressors in rural communities, while building upon the strengths and resilience capacities within Alaska Native communities. Participants will explore how strengths-based, community-driven approaches and partnerships with Tribal Health Organizations can inform effective health education and health promotion practice, with consideration for how these approaches may be thoughtfully adapted to other Indigenous and Tribal contexts.
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Explain Alaska’s unique public health landscape and identify key cultural and community factors that inform effective health education and health promotion strategies in Alaska Native communities with considerations for how these approaches may be adapted to other Indigenous and Tribal contexts.
2. Describe and apply examples of strengths-based, community-driven health promotion and prevention strategies developed by Alaska Native communities and Tribal Health Organizations in partnership with the Center for Alaska Native Health Research.
HESPA III Competencies that will be covered include:
1.1.6 |Entry| Examine the factors and determinants that influence the assessment process.
9.2.3 |Entry| Utilize tools designed to reflect cultural humility, inclusivity, and sensitivity (e.g., National
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards, self-assessment).
Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 0126019DL.
Jessica Ross MEdTL, RDH, PhD Candidate
Assistant Professor
University of Alaska Anchorage
Professor Jessica Ross is Dena'ina Dene (Athabascan) and currently serves the Native Village of Eklutna as the Vice President of the traditional tribal council. She also serves her community as the Vice-Chair of the Eklutna Tribal Health Board and serves as a member of the Alaska Native Health Board. Professor Ross has worked in academia for over ten years, beginning her teaching journey in the University of Alaska Dental Programs, where she taught head and neck anatomy, dental hygiene instrumentation, patient care, and led the senior clinical practicum. While working on her Master's degree in Education, Professor Ross developed a Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed curriculum for her dental hygiene students. The curriculum was significantly well received, so much so that she now provides this training to all College of Health students and practicing professionals through her work in the Alaska Native Studies Program, the Department of Human Services, and her partnerships with the State of Alaska's Department of Health. Professor Ross also founded the Nughejagh Project (New-Hah-Jaw), which aims to improve healthcare systems that serve Indigenous populations by helping health professionals appreciate the Indigenous perspective on health and wellness, protect sacred cultural sites, and develop tools that empower Indigenous people to embrace their cultural identity and reawaken healthy cultural practices.
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