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Wakaya: Rising Up for Native Health
Wakaya: Rising Up for Native Health is a program established in partnership between the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, the University of Washington School of Social Work, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. It is a study project developed to assess the impact of culturally-grounded, outdoor-based preventative health programming for Native youth.
Wakaya is a program oriented around traditional Indigenous notions of wholistic wellness. Our curriculum approaches wholistic wellness around these four foundations: Physical Health – Hiking, playing team sports, and eating right to honor our bodies. Cultural Health – Engaging with modern and traditional forms of storytelling and taking part in cultural arts. Community Health – Honing communication skills and serving our communities. Respect for Place – Visiting and gaining respect for the history, beauty and biodiversity of our region to align our vision of health with what our home has to offer.
Committee Members
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michelle Johnson-Jennings
Manager: Felipe Contreras
