Education, Connection Drive Latest Roswell Park Center for Indigenous Cancer Research Efforts

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Continuing to reach across international borders, Roswell Park’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Healthhas launched a number of educational and communications initiatives.

The team is helping to organize and contribute to the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine-led Indigenous Health Conference (IHC). The event, happening virtually from December 3-5, is the largest Indigenous health conference in Canada.

Director Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW, says the fourth biennial IHC conference will enlist participation from a wide range of Indigenous peoples, with representatives from the First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Native American Wisdom Keepers communities. Dr. Haring will provide insights on “Indigenous Health, Creative Peace, Courage and Cultural Resilience” as part of a plenary address during the meeting, while team members Whitney Ann Henry and William Maybee will both lead presentations on Indigenous cancer health education, quality improvement mechanisms, along with concepts of Indigenous writing retreats.

“We look to IHC as a blending of Indigenous Knowledge, Western-based science and how we can apply these elements to benefit the health of future generations,” explains Dr. Haring. “The science and clinical advances we are seeing in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation work with Indigenous people is a good model and something we hope to bi-directly learn and internationally share between Canada, Indigenous Nations, and how it translates to the United States.”

In addition, the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health has also been involved in several community-engagement projects:

• “The Talking Circle” podcast: Staff members host “The Talking Circle,” a monthly podcast launched in November that delves into conversations about cancer and prevention and brings it from the labs and offices into Indigenous communities. The first episode gives an overview of the center through an in-depth interview with both Dr. Haring and Henry, the center’s Clinical Research Associate, on research the team is currently working on. “The Talking Circle” is available wherever podcasts are found.
   
• Native C.I.R.C.L.E. to be housed at Roswell Park: The Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange, a resource of culturally appropriate cancer, diabetes and health/wellness materials established at the Mayo Clinic in 2000, is transitioning to a new home on the Roswell Park website. The Department of Indigenous Cancer Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Mayo Clinic, including Native C.I.R.C.L.E. founder Judith S. Kaur, MD, on distribution and outreach on a global scale. Dr. Haring credits Dr. Kaur as one of his mentors, saying, “I wouldn’t be the researcher that I am today without her support. It is an honor to take on Native C.I.R.C.L.E. and continue her vision into the next decade and beyond.”

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.