On September 3, 2026, the ANTHC Epidemiology Center (EpiCenter) organized the 2026 Scientific Advisory Council Meeting in Anchorage around the theme “Honoring Connections that Strengthen Tribal Public Health: From Data to Action.”

The Scientific Advisory Council serves an important role in helping the EpiCenter understand Tribal leaders’ health priorities and training needs, share meaningful data and presentations, and gather feedback to strengthen EpiCenter projects and services.

This year’s meeting brought together 97 participants, including EpiCenter staff, Tribal partners, University of Alaska Anchorage partners, CDC Arctic Investigations partners, and Alaska Department of Health Epidemiology partners.

Attendees learned about the EpiCenter’s 2026 project highlights, including:

• The 2026 Tribal Public Health Summit;
• EpiCenter partnership updates;
• Collaborations involving colorectal cancer research and Healthy Alaskans;
• The Cancer in Alaska Native People 55-Year Report and Injury Atlas Part I and II (injury deaths and injury hospitalizations);
• New indicators and features of the Regional Health Profiles Data Dashboard; and
• EpiCenter’s commitment to technical assistance and training, featuring examples of data-set-specific support and tailored syndromic surveillance assistance.

Special guests from the American Society for Circumpolar Health shared information on the upcoming 2027 International Congress on Circumpolar Health conference.

Prepared by: Morgan Witzel, MPH, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

In August 2026, 24 staff from the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council TEC, RMTLC TECPHI, Strengthening Public Health Services and Systems in Indian Country (SPHSSIC), and other RMTLC programs participated in a two-day professional development training focused on individual well-being and healthy, effective workplaces.

The training gave staff an opportunity to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities, connect with colleagues, reflect on workplace practices, and learn practical strategies for both professional and personal well-being. Subject-matter experts brought diverse perspectives and expertise on cultural responsiveness, wellness, collaboration, and connection, helping participants explore how these areas contribute to stronger teams and more supportive work and learning environments.

 

Cultural awareness and lateral kindness were key areas of focus.

 

Staff examined how everyday interactions and workplace practices can foster environments where people feel respected, supported, and valued, while identifying opportunities for positive change at both the individual and organizational levels.

Wellness and burnout prevention were also central themes. Participants explored factors that contribute to burnout, strategies for recognizing and addressing these challenges, and the role of connection in building trust and collaboration. Interactive team-building activities provided opportunities to strengthen relationships and reinforce the importance of supportive, connected teams.

The training strengthened both individual skills and internal staff capacity. Participants left with practical strategies for promoting cultural responsiveness, preventing burnout, and supporting one another, while building the shared knowledge and skills needed to better serve tribes throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

RMTEC Staff Training Photo

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Prepared by: Amy Muchna, MPH, AASTEC Public Health Evaluation and Health Promotion Specialist

In 2023, the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board (AAIHB) Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (AASTEC) collaborated with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to begin organizing a consortium of local tribal maternal health experts. The resulting New Mexico Maternal Health Innovation Research and Data Consortium was formed to provide technical support to the statewide maternal health taskforce to address complex surveillance and data innovations to inform and support policy and strategic planning. The consortium works to review existing data systems and align research and data analysis agendas to inform the improvement of maternal health across New Mexico.

On June 17, 2026, NMDOH and AAIHB AASTEC collaborated to host a successful consortium meeting. Attendees included additional partners from the Navajo Epidemiology Center, the Healthy Navajo K’é (Families) Project, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the University of New Mexico, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, and Project ECHO.

For questions about the New Mexico Maternal Health Innovation Research and Data Consortium or the event planning process, please contact Dr. Sheldwin Yazzie at shyazzie@aaihb.org.

In August 2026, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center (GLITEC), a program of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., in collaboration with the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board, hosted the inaugural Great Lakes Area Tribal Public Health Conference at the Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This conference brought together Tribal leaders, health directors, public health professionals, community members, and state and national partners from throughout the Bemidji Area and across the U.S. to advance Tribal public health systems and strengthen relationships through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Building on the success of GLITEC’s previous Opioid Conferences, this conference expanded its focus to reflect the breadth of public health priorities across Tribal Nations. Programming was organized around four tracks:

• Behavioral health
• Data infrastructure
• Indigenous wellness
• Public health capacity

Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and trainings, the gathering supported public health capacity among Bemidji Area Tribal Nations, Urban Indian Organizations, and Tribal organizations. The conference fostered collaborative spaces where knowledge keepers and knowledge seekers could share ideas, build relationships, identify priorities, and learn about projects, programs, and approaches that support Tribal public health.

Across the 4 tracks, 20 presentations addressed topics including public health law and policy, naloxone use and overdose prevention, emergency preparedness, traditional crafting as a pathway to healing and wellness, and Tribal data use and access. The range of programming reflected the interconnected nature of public health for Tribal Nations. As one attendee shared, “I love how many topics are covered here: public health is health, environmental health, policy, behavioral health, substance use, nutrition, [and] art!”

The inaugural conference welcomed 182 attendees, with representation from 21 Bemidji Area Tribal Nations, seven regional and national Tribal organizations, all three state health departments within the Bemidji Area, and three federal organizations. This broad participation created opportunities to strengthen relationships among Tribal, state, regional, and federal partners while keeping Tribal public health priorities at the center of the gathering.

Attendee feedback also highlighted the practical value of bringing people together to exchange knowledge and approaches that can be taken back to their communities. One participant noted:

 

“I always learn something new to implement in our program or on our reservation.” Participants also emphasized the importance of the perspectives centered throughout the conference, with another attendee describing the gathering as providing “excellent information” and “invaluable Native perspectives.”

 

The Great Lakes Area Tribal Public Health Conference created an important regional space for collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collective action to advance the health and well-being of Tribal communities. Attendee feedback reinforces the importance of continuing to create spaces where Tribal communities and public health partners can learn from one another, share approaches that are working in their communities, strengthen relationships, and build public health capacity across the Bemidji Area.

GLITEC extends its sincere appreciation to the attendees, presenters, partners, and communities whose participation made the inaugural Great Lakes Area Tribal Public Health Conference a success. We look forward to building upon this gathering in the years ahead.

GLITEC staff group photo

GLITEC staff members Christina (Tini) Alaniz (left) and Amber Hoon (right), speaking with attendees after their presentation.

Opening remarks on day 1 of the Great Lakes Area Tribal Public Health Conference

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The Year 3 TECPHI 2.0 National Evaluation Report Highlights the Reach, Growth and Impact of Tribal Epidemiology Centers

The Year 3 TECPHI 2.0 National Evaluation Report brings together data and stories from Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) across the country. This report demonstrates how investments in Tribal public health infrastructure translate into strengthened systems and services to address public health priorities in collaboration with Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Urban Indian Organizations and communities.

Findings from Year 3 highlight collective progress across three interconnected areas: Expanding workforce capacity, partnerships, and collaborative systems; Strengthening Tribal data sovereignty and public health data systems; and Advancing Tribal public health capacity through technical assistance and engagement.

Expanding Workforce Capacity, Partnerships, and Collaborative systems

TECs are strengthening the public health workforce by investing in training opportunities, expanding staffing, and engaging in workforce planning activities that build both internal and partner capacity. In Year 3, workforce development activities reached 50,245 people, while TECs maintained 1,053 active partnerships. Compared with the TECPHI baseline, TEC-led workgroups increased by 267%, reflecting TEC’s growing role as conveners and Tribal public health experts.

Strengthening Tribal Data Sovereignty and Public Health Data Systems

TECs continue to strengthen Tribal public health data infrastructure through investments in data governance, surveillance systems, program evaluation, data modernization, and culturally grounded approaches to data dissemination. These efforts increased access to actionable public health information while reinforcing Tribal data sovereignty and stewardship. In Year 3, TECs conducted 96 surveillance activities, produced 114 technical publications, and reported 19 instances in which data informed the development or revision of a process, program, or intervention. These activities supported priorities ranging from chronic disease and infection prevention to maternal and child health, behavioral health, environmental health, overdose surveillance, and emergency preparedness.

Advancing Tribal Public Health Capacity through Technical Assistance and Engagement

TECs also continued to serve as critical sources of technical assistance for Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations and other partners. During Year 3, TECs responded to 2,699 technical assistance requests, including 1,758 requests delivered to Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations. Four TECs also provided support to partners working toward public health accreditation. These efforts provide partners with access to the information, tools, and support needed to make informed public health decisions grounded in community priorities and culturally responsive approaches.