2024 Tribal Best Practices Conference

The 2024 USET Tribal Best Practices Conference took place in Nashville, TN, from August 13-15, 2024, under the theme "The Braided Path: Weaving together Wisdom, Innovation, and Community."

USET member Tribal Nations have cared for their communities and environments since time immemorial. This wisdom and these invaluable best practices have been passed down through the generations fostering a unique relationship among each other and all living things. This advances a deep connection with the environment, providing holistic health approaches, and cultivates sustainable economic development.

USET presented a first-of-its-kind, integrated approach for best practice discussions through the programmatic lens of USET Offices of Environmental Resource Management, Economic Development, and Tribal Public Health. The Tribal Best Practices Conference hosted learning sessions for Tribal Leadership and staff to engage in a collaborative setting to share knowledge, wisdom, and innovation to enhance our collective strength and impact.

USET Tribal Best Practices Conference goals included:

1. To provide collaborative spaces for USET member Tribal Nation Leaders and staff to share knowledge, skills, resources, and fortify relationships.
2. To promote USET foundational pillars, which support USET member Tribal Nations in strengthening communities of practice.
3. To provide innovative support service through cross-sectional tracks.
4. To ensure the health, well-being, and self-determination of present and future generations.

Check out the full agenda and access selected presentations below.

Tuesday, August 13

• Prospecting for New Funders
  Jay Blackwell, LMHC (he/him), UWF Board Chair, UBH Director of Programs, Umoja Wellness Foundation
• Food Systems Development: Tribal Leadership Lens
  Daniel Menihan (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation), Council Member, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
• Breaking Down Silos: Collaborative Approaches to Restoration
  Suze M. Joseph (she/her/hers), Behavioral Health Director, Catawba Indian Nation
  Mike Ligon (he/him), Captain, Catawba Nation Tribal Police, Catawba Indian Nation
• A Diagnostic Approach to Anemia Made Simple
  Deva Sharma (she/her/hers), Faculty Member, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Wednesday, August 14

• Case Study: Poarch Emergency Services
  April Sells, Director, Tribal Emergency Management, Poarch Band of Creek Indians
• Supporting Native Businesses: Rebuilding Tribal Trade through Entrepreneurship
  Councilwoman Michele Scott, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
• Diabetes and Oral Health
  Dr. KarenAnn Gordon-DC, RDH
• The Energy of Healing
  Dr. Ivan C. Anderson, ND, Healing Tree Wellness Center

Thursday, August 15

• Developing the Future Workforce: Working with Tribal Youth Programs
  Julie K. Hudson, MD, MA, Executive Director, Aspirnaut
• IDC and its Important Role for Strong Program Execution
  Steve Adams, Director of Finance, USET
• Toward a New Era of Tribal Funding: CSC After Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe and Federal Advocacy for Mandatory Appropriations
  Ashton Martin (they/them), Sappony Tribe, Health Policy Analyst, USET SPF
• Patient Centered Medical Home
  James Spillane, CEO, Health IQ
• Health Harmony: Where Medical Meets Dental in Oral Systemic Wellness
  Tiffany Wuebben, Founder and CEO, The Hygienepreneur