Opinion | N. Kathryn Brigham, CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair

When you drive onto the Umatilla Indian Reservation from Pendleton, there’s a welcome sign that states simply “Be Healthy.” It might sound obvious, but honestly, it’s a good reminder.

By the time you read this, I expect to be back at work after being laid up for three weeks (doctor’s orders) in March. It wasn’t planned, and it definitely wasn’t fun. A lot of you know what I mean. You’ve had the same crud that’s been going around. My family and friends kept reminding me to take care of myself because if I don’t, I can’t take care of my family or do my job as chair of the CTUIR Board of Trustees.

So, this is just me passing along that reminder: you are important to your family, to your friends and to this community. Sometimes we all need to slow down and put our health first.

I hope I can take my medicine because there are lots of small things we can do, especially if we get a little help remembering. Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center (Yellowhawk) offers all kinds of events that focus on preventative health, basically taking care of yourself before you get sick, so you can either stay well or bounce back faster.

Start with regular checkups. Get your yearly physical. Do the screenings your doctor recommends: blood sugar, cholesterol, mammograms, colonoscopies or whatever’s right for your age. Stay up to date on vaccines for flu, COVID and anything else that helps protect our community. And don’t forget your teeth and eyes.

When it comes to food, we could all eat better.

Choose more First Foods: water and whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, elk or deer if you have it. Plan family meals when you can. They’re good for more than just your stomach. They bring everyone together.

Try not to eat too many processed foods loaded with sugar and salt. Sometimes you just have to say “no” to chips, cookies and pop loaded with sugar.

And drink plenty of water. It may be boring, but it’s the first and last First Food, and it’s what your body runs on.

Being active is even tougher. We’re busy with school, jobs, babies and grandbabies, but even a small amount of movement helps. Walk around the house, go outside to get the mail or take a short walk with someone. I have a personal goal to take 6,000 steps a day.

Encourage your babies and grandbabies to play outside instead of being glued to the TV or their phones. And if you are worried about their screen time, Google some info about internet safety and setting healthy limits.

Getting enough sleep is another big one. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep a night, but that is hard if you’re staying up watching TV or scrolling on your phone. Stress can also get in the way, but hobbies and time with loved ones help a lot. Just relax or do something fun. Take your kids and grandkids to traditional events sponsored by tribal departments and other community groups. Those events are usually advertised in the CUJ.

There are also a few clear don’ts: don’t smoke and don’t vape (Medical experts say that’s even worse). Always wear your seatbelt and stay safe.

I want to give credit to Yellowhawk for leading the way with prevention. Their latest Community Health Improvement Plan focuses on three things: physical activity and nutrition, behavioral health and community engagement, which really means staying connected. They hold family activity nights, community training and events that mix healthy living with our traditional ways. Those are also in the CUJ.

Yellowhawk also runs a strong Diabetes Prevention Program that helps people living with or are at risk for diabetes make small, steady lifestyle changes to lower their risk of Type 2 diabetes, something that is devastating many tribal communities across Indian Country.

Yellowhawk’s goal is simple but powerful: helping us all live healthy, connected lives with prevention that starts at birth and continues all the way through to our elders.

Being healthy sounds easy, but it isn’t always. Everyone has personal challenges that can get in the way. Still, reminders like the welcome-to-the-Rez sign and support of our families and community can make a difference. So try to stay active, have fun and keep your connections strong.

If you ever want to connect, you can reach me at katbrigham@ctuir.org or 541-975-4877.

I’m glad to be back at work and again be healthy.