Changing Winds: Public Health and Indian Country

Changing Winds: Public Health and Indian Country
September 21, 2019 – May 1, 2020

“Today we are again evaluating the changing winds. May we be strong in spirit and equal to our father of another day in reading the signs accurately, and interpreting them wisely.”

National Congress of American Indian, 1960s

Changing Winds: Public Health and Indian Country is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to public health. Aligning good health and wellness with the traditional ways of knowing is at the forefront of culture, language, and practices across American Indian and Alaska Native communities—both rural and urban.

Changing Winds demonstrates how tribal nations are addressing modern day challenges for good health and wellness while using traditional knowledge and practices for public health. Its stories provide a glimpse into the diverse cultures and continuing challenges affecting tribal communities across the U.S.

The health and wellness of American Indians and Alaska Natives is a complex challenge. However, with cultural practices and traditional teachings along with modern solutions, the future is bright for American Indians and Alaska Natives and their continuing story in our nation’s history.  Learning from our elders and applying their wisdom is essential to “reading the signs accurately, and interpreting them wisely.”

Changing Winds: Public Health and Indian Country is organized and sponsored by the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, Office of the Associate Director for Communication; the Office of Tribal Affairs and Strategic Alliances, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support; and the Healthy Tribes Program, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Image: Navajo family, Chinle, Arizona, 2019. Photograph by Kiliii Yuyan​

Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science
September 21, 2019 – May 1, 2020

Overcoming centuries of environmental and cultural challenges can make for unexpected partnerships that result in extraordinary outcomes. In Roots of Wisdom, stories from four indigenous communities are brought to life in real-world examples of how traditional knowledge and cutting-edge Western science can be blended together to provide complementary solutions to contemporary concerns.

From restoring ecosystems to rediscovering traditional foods and crafts, Roots of Wisdom invites guests to understand the important issues that indigenous cultures face, discover innovative ways native peoples are problem-solving and contributing to the growing movement towards sustainability and the reclamation of age-old practices.

Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science. was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). The exhibition was made possible with funds provided by the National Science Foundation.

In Atlanta, Roots of Wisdom is sponsored by the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, Office of the Associate Director for Communication and the Office of Tribal Affairs and Strategic Alliances, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support.