Resources

Past Presentation

NW Elders ECHO | November 12, 2024

Date of Presentation: November 12, 2024

The Northwest Elders and Knowledge Keepers ECHO session took place on November 12, 2024. In this presentation, Dolores Jimerson and Katie Hunsberger discuss “Indigeneity in Growing Our Behavioral Health Healers.”

The faculty panel and staff members for this session of the Northwest Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Culture Keepers ECHO includes:

  • Jesse Beers – Cultural Stewardship Manager for CTCLUSI
  • Katie Hunsberger – Behavioral Health Aide Program Manager for NPAIHB
  • Dolores Jimerson – Behavioral Health Education Director for NPAIHB
  • Maleah Nore – NW Elders ECHO Faculty
  • Jessica Rienstra – ECHO Case Manager for NPAIHB
  • Marilyn Scott – Tribal Chair at Upper Skagit Tribe
  • David Stephens – ECHO Clinic Director for NPAIHB
  • Birdie Wermy – Behavioral Health Program Manager for NPAIHB
  • Alison Whitemore – LCSW & RPT (Round Valley Indian Tribes)
  • Tanya Firemoon – Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board Contractor

Recording:

Presented by:

Dolores Jimerson, Katie Hunsberger

Dolores Jimerson, MSW, LCSW, ADS is originally from the east coast, where she grew up as an urban Indian. She was reared traditionally Seneca (bear clan) in Little Italy, which also resonated with her Italian/Irish mother. She now lives on the Olympic Peninsula, where it seems “it’s always Twilight.” Dolores is excited to lead NPAIHB in the development of culturally resonant behavioral health programming to support tribes in meeting their needs. Her lived experience pairs nicely with her three plus decade career of working in behavioral health in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington. Some of her past tribal employment was with the Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, CTUIR, and Quileute. Her previous national level work included serving as Director of Community Development for NICWA. She is a caregiver and community organizer at heart, who is passionate about creating services that resonate with re-membering us into our greatness. She is clinically licensed in both Wyoming and Oregon, along with being a certified Acudetox Specialist (ear acupuncture) and Registered Trainer. You can find her gardening, beach combing, traveling, writing, or serving as comedic muse when she is not working.

Katie Hunsberger (Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation), started working at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board in the Fall of 2020. As the BHA Student Support Coordinator, she connects with current and future Behavioral Health Aides and walks alongside them in their educational journey. As a student herself, Katie loves creating relationships with those she supports by working with them to encourage self-care, providing emotional support, and being a good relative. Katie works to recruit, build material, and assist the Tribal Community Health Provider Project in various ways. Her largest project is supporting the BHA Education Program.

Resources Provided:

Date added: November 13, 2024