ICTMN Talks With Hall-of-Famer Ryneldi Becenti

By Vincent Schilling, Indian Country Today Media Network

As a young Navajo woman that began her path to basketball stardom playing on dirt courts on her reservation, Ryneldi Becenti worked hard to become a star point guard at Arizona State in the 1990s. Following her stellar career with ASU,  Becenti played basketball professionally in Europe and in the WNBA.  In 1996 she became the first woman inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

In addition to that accolade, Becenti was also inducted into three others: the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame, Arizona State University Hall of Fame and the Arizona High School Sports Hall of Fame. Today, she teaches and coaches the next generations of players in Ganado, Arizona.

After a successful 2013 season for women Native American basketball players, Becenti took a few moments to sit down with ICTMN [Indian Country Today Media Network] as part of our Conversations With Champions series to discuss her climb to the top, what it takes to succeed as a Native woman hooops player and what her thoughts are about the accomplishments of Native American basketball players today.

You played in the WNBA–the first Native player to do so–the dream for so many. How does it feel to have accomplished that?

It was one of the biggest accomplishments in my life. I have always dreamt of getting to the WNBA. I think that the ultimate accomplishment is that I got into the WNBA as an American Indian. That, and making my community and Native Americans proud was a big deal for me.

When I look back, I feel so blessed and grateful that I did play with such great players such and having Cheryl Miller as my coach. Sometimes I just don’t have words to explain it, but it is so memorable and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity.

Ryneldi Becenti poses with her former coach Bike Medder after being inducted in 2011 into the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame. (Ryneldi Becenti/Navajo Times)
Ryneldi Becenti poses with her former coach Bike Medder after being inducted in 2011 into the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame. (Ryneldi Becenti/Navajo Times)

You surpassed many odds to become successful, how did you do that?

You cannot teach passion and you cannot teach heart toward the game of basketball. It comes from within you. At a young age I was instilled with a passion to love the game of basketball. I wanted it so much. I was inspired by my parents who played in Indian reservation tournaments. They had passion and heart and loved basketball.

I grew up being a gym rat and at that time I didn’t have a Native American who was out there playing college ball or anything, so that was one of my motivations. When I saw Cheryl Miller playing on the Olympic team, and I saw that she was African-American, she became one of my role models. On top of all this, I thought, maybe I could be the first.

For me, I just had that driving force to accomplish so much. My dad said that I was given talent and I was given the gift of basketball. He told me about peer pressure and that people would be jealous. I was given that push from him. Once I became a good player, I knew I had to push 10 times harder to get where I wanted to get to.

Who taught you the most about basketball growing up?

I was given all of this talent and I was pushed by my dad, who definitely knew the game of basketball. My mom passed away when I was in eighth grade. She was a good player but never got to play college basketball. That was a motivation for me to live my life for her. She was a woman I could really relate to. I have four brothers so I had a tomboy attitude. It gave me more motivation and more desire – I had nothing to lose.

Overall, I am so grateful that I was surrounded by so many good players and so many good coaches and received such support from my family and my community. It was tough at times, but I’m glad I had a father who was mentally strong when I was at a young age. When people had sarcastic remarks, or said mean things it never bothered me.

There were things my dad taught me as a little kid that really stuck with me. I did not go to one single basketball camp, my dad just told me how to dribble and I would practice and practice. Many times when I was sleeping, he would say. ‘If you want to be good, you can’t be lying in bed.’

If he had comments, I would work to prove that I could do it. Sometimes he played reverse psychology with me, and said, “I don’t think you can do this.’ I would say, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’ But it was all in a positive way.

How does it feel that you have been inducted into four halls of fame?

It is a great achievement. I am happy that I have been inducted, but I recognize my coaches and teammates–it is because of them too. I never thought this would happen, and even right now it still hasn’t hit me until someone says it.

Becenti, in her hugely successful Scottsdale CC days. (American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame)
Becenti, in her hugely successful Scottsdale CC days. (American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame)

What did you think this year of Jude and Shoni Schimmel this year?

It was a great feeling to watch them on TV. They represented Native Americans and youth that want to be like them. I hope it gives them that much more motivation to excel. I hope these college coaches can now take this chance and opportunity to go to reservations and look for more talented young girls.

When I was growing up, we never had coaches go to the rez. There is a lot of talent out there, and I see all of these young girls on reservations, who are talented and good. But I also tell them they have to get out there. I say, ‘if you want to play college ball, you’re going to have to start calling these coaches and be confident about it.’ They need to tell them, ‘I can play for your program.’

What you think is in the future for Native American ballplayers?

I think there is a bright future now, I really do. I hope that the Schimmel’s will maybe get into the WNBA and that Goodrich is also successful. Every little thing that we can do that the youth will grasp onto is important. We are all proud knowing that they are excelling.

If you want to excel at this level, it really does take a lot of hard work. It really is like a job. You cannot say that you’re going to play high school ball and that’s it, you have to constantly play a lot.

 

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/05/06/ictmn-talks-hall-famer-ryneldi-becenti-149215

Snohomish Health District hosts Mother’s Day Tea, May 10

Moms are invited to learn about community resources
Source: Snohomish Health District
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Pregnant women and mothers of small children are invited to an informational tea from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 10 at the Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Everett, Wash.
 
“This event will be a good way for mothers to learn about community resources,” said Kathryn McDaniel, nurse-manager of the First Steps program in Everett. Representatives from a number of agencies will be present, as well as nurses, nutrition, and breastfeeding educators who will offer information and answer questions.  Door prizes and light refreshments will be provided, and there will be a play space for children.
 
Community partners in the event include:
 
·         Little Red School House
·         Pregnancy Aid
·         Within Reach–the Breastfeeding Coalition of WA
·         Mukilteo Kids Dentistry
·         An educational doula
·         A parenting coach
 
The event will be hosted by the staff from the First Steps and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs.  Snohomish Health District offers WIC and First Steps together in a combined service, which is efficient for clients, improves continuity of care, and increases the opportunity for mothers to receive information needed for a healthy family.
 
The Health District WIC program serves about 8,000 moms and children, from pregnancy through the child’s fifth birthday. First Steps nurses see clients from pregnancy to the baby’s first birthday.
 
For more information about the Health District’s WIC program, visit our website or call our clinics at 425.252.5303 (Everett) or 425.258.8400 (Lynnwood). WIC is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. To be WIC-eligible, clients must live in Washington state, be pregnant, a new mother, or have a child under five years of age, and meet the income guidelines.
 
Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier Snohomish County through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at http://www.snohd.org.

County unveils new tourism brand: ‘Open Up’

Mark Mulligan / The HeraldA European visitor at the Future of Flight Museum in Mukilteo photographs a Boeing 787 lifting off from a runway at Paine Field.
Mark Mulligan / The Herald
A European visitor at the Future of Flight Museum in Mukilteo photographs a Boeing 787 lifting off from a runway at Paine Field.

By Amy Watkins, The Herald Business Journal

MUKILTEO — The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau has unveiled a new destination brand and tourism website to create more awareness of the area and increase the number of visitors.

The brand was officially introduced May 2 at the Future of Flight Aviation Center at Paine Field.

“In the competitive tourism world, location branding can make or break a destination,” said Wendy Becker, economic and cultural development officer for Snohomish County. The previous brand image did not match “what Snohomish County is actually able to provide in terms of tourism.”

The new brand and its tagline, “Open Up,” pairs with the attractions and activities the county offers visitors. Those attractions include major tourism assets that have been built since 2005, such as the Future of Flight Aviation Center, the Tulalip Resort Casino and Lynnwood Convention Center, Becker said.

The new destination brand is a strategy included in the 2010 Snohomish County Strategic Tourism Plan and is supported by the Snohomish County Office of Economic Development. The brand in 2011 was approved by the Snohomish County Council.

The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau partnered with Nashville-based North Star Destination Strategies to create the brand. More than 15 pieces of research were conducted to understand Snohomish County from community, consumer and competitive perspectives, Becker said. The process included an audit of current market strategies, an analysis of Snohomish County’s presence in the marketplace, key stakeholder interviews and focus groups.

Common responses from those asked about opportunities in the county included hiking, trails in general, rivers that have fishing and boating, agritourism, shopping, arts and water and waterfront activities, Becker said. Frequently mentioned assets included aviation, outdoor recreation, gaming, shopping and an attractive geographic location north of Seattle.

“Snohomish County will be positioned as a complementary destination to Seattle, offering convenient amenities, recreation and spectacular views,” Becker said.

The new destination brand encourages visitors to open up to adventure, excitement and discovery in Snohomish County. The brand’s logo includes typography that is playful and reminiscent of the outdoors, said Amy Spain, executive director of the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. The new website designed by Paramore Digital and printed materials such as business cards, stationery and the Summer 2013 Adventure Guide include a palette of colors reflective of natural elements in the county.

“The colors aren’t too bright and go along with the laid back vibe and feel of Snohomish County but offers a pop of color,” Spain said.

Ideas to establish brand equity could in the future include pole banners on city and county streets, signs along I-5 that help visitors recognize the county’s entry points and window decals, reusable grocery bags, “open” signs and magnets with the logo. The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau will also challenge its partners to create Open Up itineraries that represent ways to enjoy what Snohomish County has to offer.

“The more our clerk and hospitality industry businesses use the brand in their own product promotions the more successful it will be,” Spain said.

Deputy county executive Gary Haakenson said he was pleased to help introduce the new destination brand. Tourism represents the third largest revenue generator in the county, he said. The industry provides nearly 10,000 jobs and more than $220 million in payroll annually.

“Many tourism investments and attractions serve double duty,” Haakenson said. “They work to attract and serve visitors and they contribute to the quality of life for Snohomish County residents. The rebranding of Snohomish County tourism will only aid these efforts.”

Go-Go’s, B-52’s kick off Tulalip concert series

Source: The Herald

Once again, the intimate and local Tulalip Amphitheatre — a 3,000-seat venue — has packed its 2013 Summer Concert Series with national stars that we the audience don’t have to travel far to see.

The series lineup:

Go-Go’s and B-52’s: July 6. You’ll have the beat listening to one of music’s most successful female rock bands and you’ll hear “Rock Lobster” “Love Shack” and other hits by the new wave B-52’s. Tickets start at $25

Gretchen Wilson: July 21. Wilson’s a country music singer who won a Grammy with “Redneck Woman.” Tickets start at $25.

Peter Frampton and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. July 28. The musician who talks with his guitar joins up with Shepherd, known for his “Blue on Black” hit. Tickets start at $30.

Sammy Hagar: Aug. 15. The Red Rocker brings his classic rock to town. Tickets start at $35.

Melissa Etheridge: Aug. 18. This raspy rock singer and activist is renown for such hits as “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Tickets start at $25

Foreigner: Aug. 25. The fantastically successful Foreigner created smash hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” Tickets start at $30

Doobie Brothers and America: Sept. 7. American rockers the Doobies brought us “Takin it to the Streets” and “Minute by Minute” and are joined by folk rockers America of “Horse with No Name.” Tickets start at $35

Doors open for all shows at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. All shows are at the Tulalip Amphitheatre, 10400 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip.

Artists and dates are subject to change.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. Must be 21 and over to attend concerts. For more information go to www.tulalipresort.com/entertainment/tulalip-amphitheatre.aspx.

Standing up for Religious Rights

Steve Robinson, Water4fish.org

AHOLAH, WA (4/30/13)– The government of the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) is calling on the United Nations to undertake a special investigation into the treatment of American Indians in US prisons in connection with their right to exercise traditional religious practices.

 

In a letter sent recently to S. James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland, Quinault President Fawn Sharp called for the United Nations representative to open immediate investigations with particular attention to prisons in the United States administered by the states of California, Texas, Montana, South Dakota and Washington.
The Quinault government joined the efforts of the Seattle-based non-governmental organization, Huy, pronounced “Hoyt” in the Coast Salish Indian Lushootseed language and meaning “See you again/we never say goodbye.”
In separate correspondence, Huy called for “an investigation into the pervasive pattern in the United States of increasing restrictions on the religious freedoms of indigenous persons who have been deprived of their liberty, particularly by American state corrections agencies and officers.”
“Indigenous peoples in the United States have the highest incarceration rate of any racial or ethnic group—38 percent higher than the national rate,” said Sharp, quoting a 1999 Bureau of Justice Statistics report.  As of 2011, 29,700 indigenous persons were incarcerated in the United States—per capita the largest percentage of any ethnic group.

 

“But statistics aside, we cannot lose sight of the fact that these men and women are individual human beings and that, even as prisoners, there are certain rights they do retain, legally and morally. No government possesses the right to violate the laws of man or God in carrying out their punishment,” said Sharp.

 

The United States government is a party to international agreements that prohibit the violation of indigenous peoples’ religious rights. The Quinault government seeks to secure a United Nations sanctioned investigation to ensure that the United States will comply with human rights laws and agreements established over the last 60 years to fully protect American Indian, Alaskan Native and Hawaiian religious rights.
“Taking away the ability for these men and women to exercise their traditional spiritual practices is the same as saying rehabilitation is not important. It is a mindless, bullying tactic that contributes to recidivism,” she said.
“These actions go way beyond any reasonable level of punitive action and are more accurately described as anti-Indian activities,” said Sharp. “They constitute cruel and unusual punishment, and thus cross the line in terms of U.S. constitutional legality,” she said.

 

In 2010, the Washington Department of Corrections barred almost all American indigenous prisoners’ religious practices, banned tobacco, reclassified sacred medicines such as sage and sweet grass as non-religious, prohibited foods for traditional meals such as fry bread and buffalo, disallowed native children from attending summer prison powwows, and altered regulations so certain religious items could no longer be securely stored.

 

“Occasionally, the government-to-government relationship we have worked so hard to implement in Washington State does work,” said Sharp. “Ten tribes petitioned Governor Gregoire, and the Department of Corrections reversed course, consulting with tribal leaders about reforms and reaching an accommodation to restore American indigenous prisoners’ religious rights,” she said.
“But the fact that those bans could take place, even in this state—where we do have a working intergovernmental relationship—did illustrate both the larger pattern of rising restrictions on indigenous prisoners’ rights in this country as well as the importance of consultation with our tribal governments concerning administrative measures that affect our people.  Another important thing this all points out is that, even in Washington, we have to remain ever-vigilant in the protection of all of our traditional values and rights. The state-tribal consultation and reform effort that resulted from this recent transgression by the state gave rise to Huy. We will support its efforts,” said Sharp.
“In the overall picture, we have to conclude that the United States is failing to fulfill its duty to protect the religious freedoms of American indigenous prisoners. There is a pervasive pattern of human rights abuses currently occurring in the United States in violation of both domestic and international law,” said Sharp. “We will oppose it.”
                                                                                

Legal Background

 

The U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms that indigenous peoples have the right to “manifest, practice, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites and the right to the use and control of their ceremonial objects. Other components of this same declaration further guarantee the protection of native tradition and cultural heritage, freedom from discrimination and provide that “States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative measures that may affect them.” The United States has signed on to this declaration.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the right to freedom of religion, including the “freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.” That covenant further states that ethnic and religious minorities “shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, or to profess and practice their own religion.” It also provides that “freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.” Human Rights Committee General Comment No. 22, para. 8 further clarifies that “persons already subject to certain legitimate constraints, such as prisoners, continue to enjoy their right to manifest their religion or belief to the fullest extent compatible with the specific nature of the restraint.”
Domestically, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution enshrines the right to the free exercise of religion. The U.S. policy, as articulated in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 is to “protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions” of indigenous communities. With respect to prisoners, the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act prohibits prison authorities from substantially burdening an inmate’s religious exercise unless in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and accomplished by the least restrictive means. As the United States Supreme Court has recognized, prisoners “do not forfeit all constitutional protections by reason of their conviction and confinement in prison.” Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 545 (1979).

McCoy will impart real-world perspectives in MPA program

Lawmaker, a long-time Native-American leader and economic-development/high-technology trailblazer, is named an adjunct professor at The Evergreen State College

Source: Office of State Rep. John McCoy

OLYMPIA — State Rep. John McCoy has already worn more hats in his personal and professional lives than about anyone else you could name. Don’t look now, but he’s about to don yet another impressive piece of headwear.

McCoy has accepted an opportunity to share his real-world knowledge and experience in the upcoming 2013-2014 academic year with students at The Evergreen State College (TESC). The veteran lawmaker, and Tulalip-tribal and Snohomish County community leader will teach as an adjunct professor in Evergreen’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) Tribal Concentration program.

“I am very honored and very grateful for this chance to work with men and women who are obviously very committed to lives of public service,” said McCoy. “I know that I will be learning every bit as much from them as I hope they will be learning from me.”

Lee Lyttle is Evergreen’s MPA Director and a faculty member. He said that TESC “is terrifically privileged to welcome and embrace in our college family a man possessed of Representative McCoy’s background and widespread acquaintance in ‘Indian Country’ issues and management.

“John McCoy’s ‘skill set’ in our 20th century and 21st century life and times is simply unmatched; there’s no other way, really, to put it,” Lyttle emphasized.

“The intersection of his diverse experiences in Indian Country — both in his pursuit of economic and community development and in his working with all levels of the business community and local, state and federal governments — will make Representative McCoy a singular, extraordinary participant in our program.”

McCoy represents the Everett, Marysville, and Tulalip communities and neighborhoods of Snohomish County in the House of Representatives. First elected to the Legislature a little more than 10 years ago, he now chairs the House Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee. He is vice chair of the House Environment Committee, and he also has a seat on the House Education Committee.

McCoy served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 1981 with extensive training in computer operations and programming. He worked as a computer technician in the White House from 1982 to 1985. Then he came back home to Tulalip, Snohomish County and the state of Washington. Very soon after returning home McCoy championed the bringing of computers, the Internet, and all that that entails to the Tulalip Tribes.

McCoy and his wife, Jeannie McCoy, make their home in Tulalip. They have three daughters, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

The new professor will be visiting the TESC Tribal cohort on May 24. In the fall he will be teaching Tribal Economics and during the winter session he will be teaching Tribal Policy.

Lyttle said that McCoy’s classes will include as many as 30 MPA students, who themselves will bring a tremendous range of personal and professional knowledge to the academic table. Most but not all students in the program are Native American, and they come from different communities all across the land.

Evergreen’s MPA Tribal Concentration program right now represents the nation’s only such program placing strong emphasis on tribal-governance.

“With that in mind,” says the program website, “the Tribal Governance Concentration focuses on structures, processes and issues specific to tribal governments. It provides current and future tribal leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in Indian Country. The Concentration is also appropriate for those working with governmental or other organizations in a liaison role with tribal governments. Students go through the entire program as a cohort and finish in two years in this structured program.”

 

Energy Department Announces $7 Million to Promote Clean Energy in Tribal Communities

Source: US Department of Energy

The Energy Department today announced up to $7 million to deploy clean energy projects in tribal communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting economic development on tribal lands. The Energy Department’s Tribal Energy Program, in cooperation with the Office of Indian Energy, will help Native American communities, tribal energy resource development organizations, and tribal consortia to install community- or facility-scale clean energy projects.

Tribal lands comprise nearly 2% of U.S. land, but contain about 5% of the country’s renewable energy resources. With more than 9 million megawatts of potential installed renewable energy capacity on tribal lands, these communities are well positioned to capitalize on our domestic renewable energy resources—thereby enhancing U.S. energy security and protecting our air and water.

Through the “Community-Scale Clean Energy Projects in Indian Country” funding opportunity, the Energy Department will make up to $4.5 million available, subject to congressional appropriations, for projects installing clean energy systems that reduce fossil fuel use by at least 15% in either new or existing tribal buildings. Renewable energy systems for power generation only must be a minimum of 50 kilowatts and use commercial-warrantied equipment.

Through the “Tribal Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Deployment Assistance” funding opportunity, the Department will make up to $2.5 million available, subject to congressional appropriations, for projects installing renewable energy and energy efficiency that reduce fossil fuel use in existing tribal buildings by at least 30%. These projects must use commercial-warrantied equipment with renewable energy systems for power generation only of at least 10 kilowatts. Leveraging state or utility incentive programs is encouraged.

The full funding announcements are also available through the Department’s Tribal Energy Program website.

The Energy Department’s Office of Indian Energy and the Tribal Energy Program promote tribal energy sufficiency and foster economic development and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

The Department has invested $41.8 million in 175 tribal clean energy projects over the years, and provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for the evaluation and development of their renewable energy resources, implementation of energy efficiency to reduce energy use, and education and training to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects.

Key Thoughts From KeyBank: Financial Education Empowers Native Families

Source: Indian Country Today Media Network

A lack of resources to help Native Americans learn effective money management techniques has stunted the ability of many Native families to reach their full potential. But KeyBank is working to change that by expanding the delivery of financial education to Native communities across the country.

KeyBank, a leader in meeting the financial needs of Indian country, has launched a four-year financial literacy program coordinated by First Nations Oweesta Corporation, a wholly held subsidiary of First Nations Development Institute and the first certified national Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary. The program, made possible by a $250,000 grant from KeyBank and KeyBank Foundation, teaches American Indians how to manage their money, save toward financial goals, take advantage of financial resources and avoid predatory lenders. “KeyBank Foundation focuses its grant making on financial literacy and diversity, which help to drive job success,” said Foundation chair Margot Copeland. “We’re proud to be a leader in supporting Native communities.”

Mike Lettig
Mike Lettig

The program, “Expanding Financial Literacy Efforts in Native Communities,” takes a unique approach to financial education called train-the-trainer. Oweesta professionals teach local Native CDFIs how to conduct financial literacy programs for their nations. “[Our] financial education programs contribute significantly to the development of sustainable Native economies and healthy communities,” said Chrystel Cornelius, Oweesta’s acting executive director.

KeyBank is dedicated to helping communities that are traditionally under-banked. Since July 2008, the company has extended more than $4 billion in financing to developments in underserved communities and granted more than $40 million to nonprofit organizations. More than 28,000 individuals have taken KeyBank’s free financial education classes since the inception of KeyBank Plus in 2004.

“Financial success in life depends on good financial education, and we are dedicated to supporting programs that help people of the First Nations thrive,” said Mike Lettig, director of Native American Financial Services for KeyBank. “KeyBank was one of the first financial institutions in the country to create teams focused exclusively on serving Native Americans. We understand the importance of each Nation’s laws, culture and governance, and we make sure our recommendations are aligned with tribal traditions and values.”

To learn how KeyBank can help your Nation succeed, visit key.com/nativeamerican.

All credit products are subject to credit approval. KeyBank is member FDIC.

 

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/05/01/key-thoughts-keybank-financial-education-empowers-native-families-149120

Save a life from opiate overdose

By Monica Brown, Tulalip News Writer

TULALIP, Wash. – The Tulalip CEDAR (Community Engaged and Dedicated to Addiction Recovery) group invited Caleb Banta-Green, PhD to speak at their meeting on April 25, 2013. Banta-Green is the principle investigator on an overdose prevention program for Washington State and has dedicated time to developing a prevention program and educating communities about overdosing risks.

Often times an opiate overdose won’t occur until 3-4 hours after the person takes them. The person will be unresponsive, have shallow breathing that may sound like gasping or choking, and may be pale blue or grey in color. Banta-Green pointed out that rescue breathing can be done to prevent a potential fatality and suggests the first thing you need to do is look for signs of breathing and a heartbeat. If there is no heartbeat, perform CPR. If there is a heartbeat but the person is having trouble breathing or not breathing at all, begin the rescue breathing; “An opiate overdose is about oxygen; it’s about getting oxygen to the person’s brain and doing rescue breathing,” said Banta-Green.

Along with rescue breathing, Banta-Green suggests administering Naloxone. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is a prescribed medication that, once administered, blocks the person’s opioid receptors and allows the overdose victim to breathe normally for a short period of time. Depending on how much of the opioid the person has taken they may need to be given Naloxone every 30-90 minutes until they stabilize.

Naloxone can be given in the nose (intranasal spray) or in the muscle (intramuscular injection) and is safe to give even if the person is not overdosing on opioids. Since Naloxone is purely an opioid antagonist it has been approved to help binge eaters from splurging on fatty sweets like chocolate.

Washington State law (RCW 69.50.315) allows anyone at risk of having, or witnessing, an opioid drug overdose to obtain a prescription of naloxone. If you or your friends or family members use opioids medicinally or recreationally, you are able to obtain a prescription and carry it with you for emergencies. The CEDAR group is currently working with Tribal Police, Tulalip Pharmacy and the Health Clinic to start a prevention program at Tulalip which will offer prescriptions of Naloxone and training of how to give rescue breathing and administer Naloxone.

To find an overdose prevention program near you that gives prescriptions for Naloxone and training of how to administer, please visit this website: http://www.stopoverdose.org/faq.htm

 

Nearby locations in Washington that can help you if you are in need:

Adam Kartman, MD at Phoenix Recovery in Mt Vernon, Wash. Services provided: Anyone, including family and friends, who might be a first responder/good Samaritan to an opiate overdose who would like a prescription for intranasal naloxone and a free mucosal nasal atomizer is welcome to schedule a visit with Dr. Kartman at no charge. Native Americans and Alaskan Natives may be able to fill the prescriptions at no charge at tribal pharmacies. Others may get prescriptions filled at area pharmacies. Phone: 360-848-8437

Robert Clewis Center in Seattle, Wash. Services provided: Mon-Fri, 1:00-5:00 pm & Sat, 2:00-4:00 pm Walk-ins welcome. Harm reduction counseling/support, vein care, Naloxone/overdose prevention, case management. Facilitated access to methadone and other drug treatment, needle exchange, abscess treatment and care, HIV/hepatitis testing and counseling, Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, colds and upper respiratory infections andTB screening. Phone: 206-296-4649

The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance in Seattle, Wash. Services provided: We give out naloxone, crack kits, Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, safe disposal of used needles, access to new needles and clean supplies, referrals to other pertinent services such as detox and treatment options. Completely need-based program for syringe exchange and completely drug user run. Phone: 206-330-5777

 

 

What are opiates?

Heroin, morphine, oxycodone (Oxycontin), methadone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and other prescription pain medications.

How to recognize and overdose.

The person overdosing can’t be woken through loud noises or pain, may have blue or gray lips and fingernails, they will have slow or shallow breathing which may sound similar to gasping or snoring.
How to save someone from an overdose.

An overdose death may happen hours after taking drugs. If a bystander acts when they first notice a person’s breathing has slowed, or when they can’t awaken a user, there is time to call 911, start rescue breathing (if needed) and give naloxone.

1.    Rub to wake.

  • Rub you knuckles on the bony part of the chest (the Sternum) to try to get them to wake up or breathe.

2.    Call 911. – All you need to say is :

  • The address and where to find the person
  • A person is not breathing
  • When medics come tell them what drugs the person took if you know
  • Tell them if you gave naloxone

3.    If the person stops breathing give breaths mouth-to-mouth or use a disposable breathing mask.

  •  Put them on their back.
  • Pull the chin forward to keep the airway open; put one hand on the chin, tilt the head back, and pinch the nose closed.
  • Make a seal over their mouth with yours and breathe in two breaths. The chest, not the stomach, should rise.
  • Give one breath every 5 seconds.

4.    Give Naloxone

  • For injectable naloxone: Inject into the arm or upper outer top of thigh muscle, 1 cc at a time. Always start from a new vial.
  • For intranasal naloxone: Squirt half the vial into each nostril, pushing the applicator fast to make a fine mist.
  • Discard any opened vials of naloxone within 6 hours (as recommended by the World Health Organization).

5.    Stay with the person and keep them breathing

  • Continue giving mouth-to-mouth breathing if the person is not breathing on their own.
  • Give a second dose of naloxone after 2-5 minutes if they do not wake up and breathe more than about 10-12 breaths a minute.
  • Naloxone can spoil their high and they may want to use again. Remind them naloxone wears off soon and they could overdose again.

6.    Place the person on their side

  • People can breathe in their own vomit and die. If the person is breathing, put them on their side. Pull the chin forward so they can breathe more easily. Some people may vomit once they get naloxone; this position will help protect them from inhaling that vomit.

7.    Convince the person to follow the paramedics’ advice.

If the paramedics advise them to go to the Emergency Room, health care staff will help:

  • Relieve symptoms of withdrawal
  • Prevent them from overdosing again today
  • By having an observer who can give more naloxone when the first dose wears off
  • Assess and treat the person for other drug overdoses. Naloxone only helps for opioids.

8.    What if the police show up?

  • The Washington State 911 Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Law lets bystanders give naloxone if they suspect an overdose.
  • The law protects the victim and the helpers from prosecution for drug possession. The police can confiscate drugs and prosecute persons who have outstanding warrants from other crimes.