ASHA's Native American Caucus
The Native American Caucus consists of American Indian/Alaska Native, as well as non-Native, speech-language pathologists and audiologists who provide services to Native clients. The caucus meets each year at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to discuss interests and concerns related to our professions.
More information may be obtained by contacting Dr. Edgarita Long or Monica Nahwegahbow.
Mission Statement for the Native American Caucus
The Native American Caucus is dedicated to the provision of quality speech, language, and hearing services to all American Indian/Alaska Native people who have communication disorders. Inherent to the appropriate delivery of these services is a respect for traditional values and the uniqueness of each individual.
Goals
- To provide a forum where professionals:
- Can network and discuss major issues that relate to the delivery of speech, language, and hearing services to Native Americans with communication disorders.
- Can exchange information about the needs of Native American clients.
- To provide and share with others a base of knowledge that will help all professionals:
- Understand the cultural and linguistic needs of Native people with communication disorders.
- Become more aware, sensitive, and competent as they work with Native American populations.
- Increase the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of speech, language, and hearing services for all Native people.
- To encourage and support respectful and culturally sensitive research efforts that provide data on the assessment and clinical management of communication disorders in Native American populations with the understanding that such data:
- Is collected following appropriate tribal protocols (i.e., committee and other tribal approvals).
- Is used appropriately (i.e., not generalized to different Native American populations).
- To support the expansion of opportunities for Native American professionals to serve as leaders and role models within the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
- To support the recruitment, training, and leadership development of personnel, especially those who are Native American, to serve Native Americans with communication disorders.
- To advocate for improved service delivery to Native Americans with communication disorders.
Action Plan
- Hold an annual national meeting during the ASHA convention.
- Publish a national newsletter.
- Publish a national Native American directory for speech, language, and hearing services.
- Provide mentoring/counseling for students in training and those who are considering majoring in speech and hearing/communication disorders.
- Provide professional support and mentoring for members.
- Provide a speakers' bureau of professionals to speak on issues important to the caucus and serve as a contact for and referral source for agencies in need of inservicing.
- Recognize and encourage achievements and accomplishments of members of the caucus.
- Maintain active relationships with ASHA's Office of Multicultural Affairs and other groups (i.e., caucuses) engaged in efforts affecting culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
- Recruit Native Americans into the professions, speech-language pathology and audiology, and into ASHA through personal relationships and presentations directed to junior high, high school, and university students and other potential candidates (i.e., educators, social and health care workers).
- Increase the membership of the caucus.
Become an ASHA Leader
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists who serve Native populations are encouraged to take on leadership roles in ASHA. To let ASHA know of your interest, fill out an ASHA Volunteer Pool Form located at http://www.asha.org/eweb/startpage.aspx (click on "Volunteer Pool Forms").
Program Director: Ella Inglebret
Helpful Links
- Education Northwest
(Look for downloadable version of the "Indian Reading Series: Stories and Legends of the Northwest.") - Alaska Native Knowledge Network
- WSU's Clearinghouse on Native Teaching and Learning
- Status and Trends in the Education of American Indians and Alaska Natives: 2008
- Multicultural Constituency Groups