Community Healing at Northwest Tribal 2024 Environmental Public Health Training and Gathering
By: EPH Program Staff
The NPAIHB Environmental Public Health Program held the second biennial Northwest Tribal Environmental Public Health Training and Gathering in Suquamish, WA the week of July 15th through the 18th. Attended by more than 45 tribal attendees from Environmental Health, Public Health, Natural Resources programs, and Tribal Councisl across the region.
The four-day agenda included two days of training. Beginning with the Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training led by the Oregon Sea Grant in partnership with Oregon State University. This training involved CPR/AED as well as wound care and practicing skills through different scenarios on the Suquamish Tribe’s barge and rescue vehicle.
The Playground Safety Training was hosted by the Indian Health Service’s Braden Hickey and covered risk management, fall surfaces, equipment, and playground inspections. The Food Safety Training was comprised of both food handler basics, taught by the Environmental Health Director Shawn Blackshear, as well as the tribal food code. Discussions regarding how to develop and use the food code effectively, while citing violations and adapting to tribal-specific needs were coordinated by Buck Jones of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
Throughout the two-day gathering, common topics varied from climate change, GIS mapping, tribal landfill management, and outdoor youth projects. Presenters shared their great work and provided program-specific guidance. Tribal speakers included, but were not limited to: Barbara Hoffman and Jeff Riggins from the Suquamish Tribe Community Health Team, Brent Lloyd of the Nez Perce Tribe Land Services Program, and Klamath Henry from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Public Health Program.
Discussions on Federal Agency to Tribe Supporting Services provided tribes the opportunity to ask the Environmental Health Services Panel about federal responsibilities as well as funding and resources. The panel was comprised of representations from:
• The Indian Health Service
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs
• The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
• The Food and Drug Administration
• The United States Department of Agriculture
The final day of the gathering concluded with a tour of the Suquamish Seafoods; a great opportunity to highlight all the work the Suquamish Tribe has done marketing and selling Pacific oysters, crab, salmon, clams, and other traditional foods. The tour described details regarding the tribal geoduck harvests, which average around 500,000 lbs. per harvest year, and maintaining the oyster farm. Tour participants were able to inquire how the tribe developed Suquamish Seafood Enterprises and how tribal members are involved in the work, through fishing and harvesting.
A huge thank you to all the presenters, attendees, and staff who helped with the Environmental Health Gathering. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!
