Including Indigenous Food & Communities in Dietetics: Lessons from an Indigenous Dietitian

This product is free for COGA members.

This webinar was presented live on March 1, 2023.

The presentation will include a brief overview of the demographics and social determinants of health specific to the American Indian/Alaska Native population. We will also discuss the variability within this population and discuss the importance of recognizing that variability. For instance, there are over 550 federally recognized tribes in the United States and each tribe is unique in its history and foodways. So what role do dietitians have in counseling this unique population? How do we ensure we are delivering equitable healthcare to this population, while including Indigenous cultural and traditional foods? There are unique challenges for each Indigenous community and it is important to recognize the context and history of these challenges to provide equitable healthcare. These challenges stem from a long history of globalization and colonization, which has disrupted access to food, basic utilities, and opportunities to education and income. We will discuss the presenter’s experience as a Diné/Navajo Registered Dietitian working on the Navajo Reservation, located in Northeastern Arizona and the strategies she has used over the years to support her patients in making healthy behavior changes tailored to fit their unique needs.

CPE Level: 2
CPEU: 1
Performance Indicators: 1.7, 9.4, 12.1

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the demographics, characteristics and food history of American Indian/Alaska Native communities.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of social and structural determinants of health of American Indian/Alaska Native communities.
3. Adapt counseling skills to include consideration of culture, lifestyle, food preferences, and availability of food in Indigenous communities.

Speaker

Denee Bex, MPH, RD, LD, CDCES

Denee Bex is an award-winning registered dietitian from the Diné (Navajo) Nation and is an advocate for traditional indigenous diets and home-grown foods in Native communities. Denee is the owner and founder of Tumbleweed Nutrition LLC, a nutrition education consultant company that aims to provide evidence-based nutrition consultations for organizations and farms serving American Indian communities.