Men’s Health Awareness” campaign provides leadership and training
Men’s Health Awareness” campaign provides leadership and training
July 10, 2017
Mikhail Sundust
Gila River Indian News
If the health of the men in the Gila River Indian Community is a measure of the health of the Community itself, both are on the path to improved wellness. Last month, the Men’s Health Awareness Committee hosted a number of events to bring attention to the edification of its men.
“The Men’s Health Awareness campaign [provided] us the opportunity to establish a series of activities for the month of June,” said Michael Mercado, the Vice President of the Men’s Health Awareness Committee.
Men’s Health Awareness Month included a spiritual run from District 7 to District 2, a class to help men make their own shavkud (gourd rattle), two song-instruction classes, and a shongival class. (Shongival is the traditional men’s kickball game.)
The men’s activities focused on physical wellness as well as cultural teachings and traditional practices. “These particular activities not only promote healthy, active living, but they also promote spiritual and mental wellness as well,” said Mercado.
The month wrapped up with a gathering at the Hashan Kehk Multipurpose Building in District 2 on June 29. The afternoon gathering featured inspirational speakers, comedians James and Ernie, and a dinner.
The Men’s Health campaign is a way for men to provide leadership training and pass on the strength of their ancestors through their traditions and customs.
“So through those particular teachings, we find that it’s an investment for our future to be able to pass those particular teachings to the younger generation,” said Mercado.
John Davis, a father from District 5, said the Men’s Health activities have been invaluable to him and his son, ’Ino.
“It’s sad to say, but a lot of our heritage is starting to kind of disappear,” he said. “So for them to put something on like this, I think it’s great.”
Davis said he partic ularly enjoyed spending quality time with his son while making their own shashavkud in a class led by Aaron Sabori and learning songs in O’otham from Barnaby Lewis.
“One thing is just, for my son. Just bringing him, showing him some of the traditions,” he said, was very special. “I appreciate the committee for them to put on something like this.”
Part of the motivation behind the campaign is to support men in their fight to resist the social ills that can bring harm to one’s community, challenges like drug abuse, alcoholism, depression, and even simply poor physical health.
Mercado said that because of “a lot of these social challenges and health disparities that we face within our community, we [thought] that it would be best to approach the men of the Community to see if we can start proactively looking to revive a lot of the cultural traditions and practices that we once took part in so long ago.”
Davis said the Men’s Health campaign is a move in the right direction.
“It’s making the men stronger, more aware.” He said men are supposed to be the head of a household, but “there’s a lot of drugs and stuff that take away from our people.”
Davis knows first-hand the impact negative forces like alcoholism can have on a community, a family, and his own son.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic,” he said. But, “I’ve changed myself in order for me to be here longer for my family. I’d rather me be here in good health and be here for my kids and show them the things I’ve been shown.”
Furthermore, he said, “I want my son to get more involved as far as taking care of himself,” and his overall well-being.
