CAB Member Perspective of Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day 

Several people pose in front of a white-wooded fireplace with a reflective mirror in the background

C-NACHE staff and members of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) attended the 29th annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day (INTLD) on Wednesday, January 10th at the Arizona capitol. To learn more about the day and C-NACHE’s presence at the event, read NAU CHER’s article in their eNewsletter. 

CAB members who attended the event were asked to respond to reflect on their experience at INTLD. One CAB member stated: 

First and foremost, I would like to thank the C-NACHE team for allowing me to be part of an important day which impacts native people.

The C-NACHE team was glad that we could host an in-person CAB meeting the day before INTLD to allow CAB members a better opportunity to attend INTLD and learn all about it.  

What was your biggest takeaway after attending INTLD? 

For some CAB members, attending INTLD was a first. 

This was my first experience in participating in the INTLD. It is a great networking event.

Overall, though, the CAB members felt it was a great opportunity to see how legislation is enacted. 

I believe the biggest takeaway I seen was the representation from all the representatives that represent each area of their districts. I was honored to be in the capital (so historic). I felt privileged to be there to show my daughter that being part of this type of issue reflects our everyday lives and how policy and laws are dealt with.

Were you able to make any valuable network connections? 

CAB members especially appreciated the chance to connect with others tribal leaders and healthcare organizations in the state. 

I appreciate the CAB education we received on how to reach out to our US Representative.  I was able to make an appointment and meet with the Representative Ms. Peshlakai, and Senator Hatathlie. There were other Tribal Health care organizations that I was able to network with aside from meeting with the two representatives.

 What did you learn about policy advocacy in the process? 

Furthermore, attending INTLD gave our CAB members a chance to learn about the power of policy advocacy. 

Policy advocacy is a vital part of leadership. Often our policy makers need to hear from their constituents, especially data, so they can formulate or their support on legislation.

Would you attend INTLD again? 

Yes, it provided an opportunity to connect with other Native Leaders.

Since this was a first-time event for many of the C-NACHE staff and CAB members, there was a clear interest to attend next year’s INTLD event, with the hopes of expanding on this years’ experience and learning more about how legislation affects the state’s cancer burden.  

I would like to attend the INTLD again to gain more knowledge and to get more insights of the sessions I didn’t get to go in. This is a great way to be part of why the state does not move forward with the cancer burden. Cancer is so complex and we as supporters must push on protecting patients and being the voice to move issues.

Is there anything outside of these questions that you would like to provide your perspective on? 

One interesting CAB member perspective spoke to the need for C-NACHE presence at other state related events such as this, stating that: 

“At the event, all of us (tribal leaders and organizations) were on the same page so I didn’t feel the need to share a sheet about health equity, because we all believe it should be equitable. Why are we sharing information with people who all understand what we’re going through? We need to share our stories with those who don’t understand.” 

This CAB member went on to list different opportunities at the grass roots level that could expand our C-NACHE efforts further. 

Focus on enhancing education by the Department of Health, for example, influencing smoking prevention tactics that are shared. Increase understanding of administrative procedures because you can be most effective if you understand them and are able to reach people at the top. As for advancing health equity, working closely with the Department of Health on cancer prevention strategies, existing grants, and what bills they are proposing.

Conclusion

C-NACHE CAB member attendance at INTLD was an eye-opening experience for CAB members, in more ways than one. Gathering different insights and perspectives from events such as this allows our CAB members to gain new experiences which strengthen their guidance and direction of our team’s efforts and initiatives. We look forward to future opportunities that our CAB members and C-NACHE team can be a part of and learn from.  

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