Pojoaque Indian Nation
Santa Fe, New Mexico
February to June 2023
AT WORK WITH THE POJOAQUE NATIVE AMERICAN PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO, US
Goal
Training a group of Pojoaque tribal members in The Wu Project Curriculum
Objective
To reach out to the Native American communities in New Mexico and train those interested in The Wu Project curriculum of Barefoot Medicine Health Care Promoter. One of our sponsors awarded us with a grant to work specifically with New Mexico Pueblos.
Duration​
Five weekends, once a month from February to June 2023.
Location
Pojoaque Nation, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Wu Project Team
Trainers
Alicia Villamarin AP DOM PhD, Maria Rosa Romero, AP DOM
Volunteer Photographers: Thomas Kelly, Andrew Newman
Volunteers: we had wonderful local volunteers for the first weekend, specially we thank Judy Bernal.
Results
The program was opened to all Pojoaque Tribal Members. We altered the way we teach the curriculum to fit their needs. Instead of 3 phases of one week each, we distributed the curriculum into five once a month weekends. For this community, we also introduced a 3-hour Self-Care class that takes place the same Friday of the health Care Promoter program. That class was design for those that did not want the commitment of the Barefoot Medicine Health Care Promoter Certification but were still interested in learning more about techniques for self-care and nutrition. The curriculum was also augmented with the addition of special section on Addictions. We count on the expertise of one of our volunteers, James Hanlon for that part of the curriculum. That was opened to anyone that wants to participate regardless if they are registered for the other programs or not.
The classes are taking place at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, a Pojoaque Pueblo hotel. The government officials have been extremely cooperative providing us with a conference room, technical help and tribal member discounts in the lodgings.
This is an ongoing program, started in February and finishes in June.
