Local Advocates Making a Difference for Indigenous Health
National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated annually in November, a special time to honor the traditions and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. The Center proudly spotlights a group of local changemakers focused on improving the health and wellbeing of indigenous people throughout our region.
Dean Seneca, MPH, MCURP
Seneca
Dean Seneca, MPH, MCURP, is an adjunct professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and core investigator with the Office of Health Equity Research at URMC’s Center for Community Health & Prevention. He is also the CEO of Seneca Scientific Solutions+, an organization focused on creating healthier and safer communities through evidence-based practices. Seneca previously served as director of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center and as the Senior Health Scientist in the Partnership Support Unit within the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He has played an integral role in helping advance health equity for indigenous people locally, regionally and nationally.
One of Seneca’s proudest career accomplishments was helping develop the CDC’s Tribal Consultation Policy, which requires all agency programs to consult with tribal governments. “It's important when developing programs, policies, and activities that affect native populations to engage with them in the development of this work,” shares Seneca.
When asked what Native American Heritage Month means to him, Seneca shares “It means the world." "It’s a time to celebrate the customs, traditions, languages and stories of Indigenous people and the many contributions we have made to the American society,” he says. “Native American Heritage Month reminds the larger society we are here to stay.”
Seneca is looking forward to teaching a new course, “PM491: Indigenous Trauma and the Health Disparities that Follow,” at the Saunders Research Building in the 2025 spring semester. Students will examine the history of Indigenous people, the impacts of colonization, and current health trends impacting/contributing to societal conditions today. The course is designed for students passionate about social justice and committed to centering equity in their work. Contact Dean Seneca to learn more.
The Haudenosaunee have been teaching the Good Mind ever since the Peacemaker helped us bury our arrows under the Tree of Peace. The concept of the Good Mind teaches us to be aware of our thoughts and their intent, resulting in more kind and loving thoughts. When you have a good mind, you do good things.
Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD
Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the URMC and co-principal investigator for the RCORP-Rural Center of Excellence for Substance Use Disorder Prevention at the UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence. His research interests and experiences have spanned distinct and overlapping areas of chronic pain, suicide prevention, and substance use, particularly opioid misuse.
Ashrafioun and Seneca are collaborating on an initiative called Indigenous Community Conversations (ICC). ICC engages community members, leaders, professionals, and individuals in recovery by facilitating conversations intended to reduce stigmatizing beliefs about substance use disorders and their treatments.
"The goal is to increase an understanding on the impact of stigma and awareness that recovery is possible, as told through the lived experience of individuals with SUD from Indigenous communities," shares Ashrafioun.
Workshops have initially been held in Seneca and Akwesasne communities and will be expanding to other communities in the near future.
"My hope is that we not only see an increase in the availability and accessibility of evidence-based treatments for individuals with substance use disorder from Indigenous communities, but there is also an increased willingness to seek out services and social support from within the community," says Ashrafioun. "These will play a critical role in reducing substance use-related morbidity and mortality that have had such a detrimental impact on Indigenous communities."
Indigenous Population Health: Focusing on Data and Research to Promote Health Equity
Learn about the impact of incomplete data on Indigenous population health and find useful resources.
Indigenous Health Coalition
The Indigenous Health Coalition, an initiative of Common Ground Health, was launched in November 2023. Made up of 16 Indigenous members and advocates representing nearly 10 different Tribal affiliations, the coalition has three areas of focus under what they’re calling their “Baskets of Health.” These include building awareness, better data, and access to holistic health care. Coalition members look forward to building out the work for these over the coming year.
The coalition’s mission: “The Indigenous Health Coalition honors the wisdom and knowledge of our Indigenous elders and our traditional healing legacies. We bravely cultivate and nurture a compassionate movement that sows seeds of health and well-being, while reaping fields of strength that ignite high quality holistic wellness opportunities for all Indigenous voices. We are transforming lives for the next seven generations and beyond.”
“While it’s great to have a month dedicated to bringing visibility to Indigenous history, culture and present-day voices, it also serves as a reminder that these things should be uplifted every day, not just for one month out of the year,” shares Hannah Shippee, program coordinator at Common Ground Health.
Land Acknowledgement: “In consort with the blessing of all creations in the Ohenton Kariwatehkwen, the University of Rochester would like to acknowledge that the land the University resides on is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Haudenosaunee. We are grateful to the Haudenosaunee who continue to this very day to be the stewards of this land we all benefit and occupy. This acknowledgment, while important, is just a start and is supported by our University’s commitment to listen, learn, and comprehend the Indigenous tragedies of the past while we work together toward building a collective bright future."