The IndigiWellbeing program, launched by Dr. Felina Cordova-Marks, organizes culturally grounded programming for Native and Indigenous students, staff, faculty and community members to build connection and awareness among participants as a path to health and wellness.
About Us
In response to mental health challenges among students, staff, faculty, and community members in Southern Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic, Assistant Professor Felina Cordova-Marks, DrPH, MPH, MSc from the Zuckerman College of Public Health launched the IndigiWellbeing program in Fall 2021. She envisioned a series of culturally grounded events that would build connection and a sense-of-belonging from a Native/Indigenous perspective.
In collaboration with IndigiWellbeing’s Program Coordinator William Carson, MPH, (a doctoral student in public health), Dr. Cordova-Marks organized the series to relieve stress, depression, and lack of connection within the college and larger community, challenges that were widespread during the COVID pandemic. IndigiWellbeing provides programming that infuses culture into wellness and helps bring balance to the lives of students and community members. The program also offers special opportunities for Native/Indigenous UArizona students and Native/Indigenous High School students in the greater Tucson region and on tribal lands to interact with guest speakers for mentoring.
The IndigiWellbeing program was launched with funds from the University of Arizona's Office of Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement, part of the UArizona’s Executive Office of the President, and has also received support from the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.
During the COVID pandemic, the events were conducted virtually on Zoom in order to keep participants safe, and also enabling IndigiWellbeing to reach an audience beyond the University and Tucson. Events now take place both virtually and sometimes in-person to reach as many participants as possible, taking into consideration different levels of comfort for in-person interaction, and those that are differently-abled. Many events are hybrid to allow in-person and virtual attendance, and all events are open to anyone who wants to participate. The IndigiWellbeing events are promoted through flyers, email listservs, and social media. As the program continues to grow, it will increase the visibility of Indigenous pathways for positive adaptation.
Felina Cordova-Marks, DrPH, MPH, MS
Director
Hopi
William Carson, MPH (Doctoral Student)
Program Coordinator
Ohkay Owingeh
IndigiWellbeing Events
Past Events
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April 4, 2024 |
Lacrosse, the Seneca Nation and Indigenous Wellbeing with Dr. Rodney Haring |
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March 23, 2024 |
Indigenous Food Revitalization and Cooking Demo with Chef Rob Kinneen |
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February 24, 2024 |
Spin Cycling Pow Wow™ with Jim O’Kimosh |
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January 30, 2024 |
Indigenous Language Revitalization and Wellness with Anita Poleaha |
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December 14, 2023 |
3rd Annual Elf Project Donation Drive for Tucson’s Children in Foster Care |
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November 4, 2023 |
Healing Your Community and Self through Filmmaking and Photography: Workshop with Filmmaker Deidra Peaches |
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October 19, 2023 |
Movement and Breathwork With Dr Jessica Barudin (Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, ‘Namgis First Nations) |
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August 17, 2023 |
Indigenous Hydroponic Workshop with Indigeponics |
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May 7, 2023 |
3rd Annual Southern AZ Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) Awareness 5K Run/Walk |
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May 5, 2023 |
2nd Annual National Murdered Missing Indigenous Peoples Day of Awareness Symposium |
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April 15, 2023 |
Presentation on Wellness and Resilience with author Kaitlin Curtice |
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April 14, 2023 |
Resilience and Wellness Workshop for Students with author Kaitlin Curtice |
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March 26, 2023 |
Cooking with Indigenous Foods Demonstration, with Miss Native American University of Arizona |
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February 4, 2023 |
Indigenous Health: Connecting with Wellbeing and Community Day |
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January-February 2023 |
Hygiene Drive for I am You 360 |
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December 21, 2022 |
Winter Storytelling Wellness with Traci Sorel |
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December 20, 2022 |
Winter Art Wellness with Shaun Beyale |
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November 29, 2022 |
Knitting with the Native Knitter |
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November 18, 2022 |
Yoga With Jessica Barudin: Shelter from the Storm |
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October 15, 2022 |
Preparing and Cooking Traditional Foods with Indigikitchen |
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October 10, 2022 |
Indigenizing your Kitchen and Diet with IndigiKitchen |
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September 8, 2022 |
Holistic care and well-being from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives/teachings |
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May 7, 2022 |
2nd Annual Southern AZ Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) Awareness 5K Run/Walk |
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May 5, 2022 |
National Murdered Missing Indigenous Peoples Day of Awareness Symposium |
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March 31, 2022 |
Wellness through Pow wow Aerobics: Dallas Arcand |
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February 19, 2022 |
Storytelling Wellness: Angeline Boulley, Author of Fire Keeper's Daughter |
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January 20, 2022 |
(Re)Imagining / (Re)Creating Spaces for Intergenerational Healing: A Queer & Two-Spirit Pathway to a Healthy Well-Being with Souksavanh Keovorabouth |
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December 21, 2021 |
Winter Storytelling Wellness: Kevin Maillard, Author of 'Fry Bread' |
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November 30, 2021 |
Breath of Life: Indigenous Yoga |
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September 29, 2021 |
Stress Busting Breathing Techniques |
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Contact Us
If you interested in joining our listserv, supporting our organization, or interested presenting, please email us at indigiwellbeing@gmail.com. Watch for the announcement of our next event!
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