In my new role as Director of the Center for Native American Health I will continue to embrace the principles of Indigenous Planning (IP; Robin, 1995) that rest on a foundation of long-term learning, the empowerment of community voice, and the advocacy of culture and tradition (Jojola, 2000). The 5 IP principles are that:
- People thrive in community;
- Ordinary people have all the answers;
- People have a basic right to determine their own future;
- Oppression continues to be a force that devastates people; and
- The people are beautiful, already.
These principles and their foundation form a set of core values and beliefs that, when translated into collaborative health actions, decision making, and policy, can promote positive social determinants of health, eliminate persistent health disparities, and achieve health equity across all Native American communities.
I look forward to 2012 as a year of Native American student achievements; strong, respectful, and productive collaborations with Native American communities and campus partners; the continued professional development and thriving of CNAH staff; and as a time of measurable improvements in the health and prosperity of New Mexico and its citizens.
-Tassy Parker, PhD, RN
