Promoting integrity and excellence in research in an environment
that is collaborative, supportive, and builds capacity.
ABOUT US
​Who We Are
Established in 1997, The Native Research Network, Inc. (NRN) is a leadership community of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Canadian First Nations promoting integrity and excellence in research.
NRN advocates for high quality research that is collaborative, supportive, and builds capacity. NRN promotes an environment for research that operates on the principles of integrity, respect, trust, ethics, cooperation, and open communication in multi-disciplinary fields.
NRN is a 501(c)3 non-profit professional organization.
​Sample Activities
-
Planned/Coordinated the annual Native Research Conference since 2005 with the Indian Health Service.
-
Presented a Continuing Education Institute, "Conducting Research in Native Communities" at the APHA Annual Meeting.
-
Authored and edited a book on "Conducting Research in Native Communities" (edited by T. Solomon & L. Randall) published by the American Journal of Public Health books division.
-
Conducted a literature review and submitted a report to the Indian Health Service on research on Traditional Indian Medicine.
​Our History
The NRN was formed in 1997 by Native researchers at an Indian Health Service (IHS) meeting, to address health and research issues affecting Native communities.
The bylaws were established to create NRN as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit. Initially, the NRN functioned under the auspices of the Association of American Indian Physicians, Inc. with fiscal support from the Office of Minority Health for development.
​NRN Accomplishments
Since 2005, the Native Health Conference has been held annually, with upwards of 300 attendees. In 2015, the NRN will begin hosting a training summit bi-annually, in rotation with the conference. Over 200 Native students have been sponsored to attend the annual conference and other training opportunities (e.g., the Conducting Research in Native American Communities Continuing Education Institute). The NRN successfully partnered with the IHS to provide IRB training for research within Indigenous communities. A literature review conducted by NRN contributed to a report to IHS on Traditional Indian Medicine. Most excitingly, an NRN Founding Member became the first woman to Direct the Indian Health Service.
During each conference, the NRN solicits funds to support student travel so they could become better engaged with Native researchers and prospective mentors, network with other students and community members, and to become familiar with health-related issues. NRN has supported about 30 students during each of the past conferences.
​Funding
NRN operates on funds through multiple sources including grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, foundations, through funds received from services provided, through membership dues, and from public donations.
​Meetings & Conferences
The Board of Directors hold monthly business conference calls. Membership meetings are held at least once a year.
Regular conferences and mentoring workshops bring the membership together with news of recent projects and events.
​How Can I Get Involved?
There are several ways you can get involved with NRN, including becoming a member, donating, and volunteering on a standing committee.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Standing committees help the Board of Directors accomplish the goals and objectives of NRN’s Strategic Plan. Each Board Member co-directs one or two committees. The Board encourages volunteers to serve—get involved, join a committee! Contact NRN Coordinator at email@nativeresearchnetwork.org for more information about volunteering for one of our standing committees.
Membership
-
Guide membership application processing, concerning eligibility and qualifications and shall recommend approval or denial of all applicants as voting or non-voting members. Membership Representatives will serve on the subcommittee.
Governance
-
Oversee all governance, planning, policy issues and evaluation in accordance with the By-Laws and corporate affairs and review the By-Laws and recommend amendments as necessary.
Communications
-
Oversee all communications, including audio or video, press releases, informational brochures, and all public relations issues to maintain the professional image and public relations of the corporation.
Budget & Finance
-
Oversee all of the finances, audits, fund raising and financial operations of the corporation and maintenance of the records of the corporation.
Collaboration, Advocacy, & Legislation
-
Oversee all collaborations, advocacy and legislation affecting or impacting the corporation.
Ethics
-
Oversee all matters relating to ethics, compliance and standards applicable to research.
Nominations/Elections
-
Oversee all matters relating to the election of officers.
Service to NIH
-
Current member may participate as a grant reviewer and/or consultant to NIH, on NRN-identified priorities.
Speakers Bureau
-
Current member may include name and professional expertise on the NRN Speakers Bureau list.
Service as Mentor
-
Current member serve as research mentor to American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/ First Nations.
Donate
-
Offer a gift of funds or capitol to the NRN. Donate today!
Ad Hoc Committees
-
Student Development Committee
-
Conference Planning
-
Abstract Review
-
Awards
-
Leadership Transition
-
Fundraising & Development
-
Mentoring Workshops
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meet on a monthly basis, Membership meetings are held at least once a year during the annual Native Research Conference.
Board Member Categories
Co-Chair Elect (2) 1-yr. internship
Co-Chair (2) 1-yr. term
Past Co-Chair (2) 1-yr. term
Treasurer (1) 2-yr. term
Secretary (1) 2-yr. term
Member-at-Large (3) 2-yr. term (1 student)
Current Board of Directors
​Our Logo
The NRN logo is a stylized drawing of the hawk. The hawk circles its environment, continuously studying and observing. Like the hawk, NRN is a vehicle for studying the research environment. The circular pattern of the wings symbolizes the guidance, mentorship and nurturing the network offers its members and constituents.
Lillian Tom-Orme (Diné)
Co-Chair
Lillian Tom-Orme, PhD, MPH, RN. FAAN is Diné and member of the Navajo Nation. She has graduate degrees in transcultural nursing and public health. She serves as adjunct professor in the Dept of Pediatrics, University of Utah.
​
Dr. Tom-Orme currently serves as emeritus board and lifetime member of the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA), board member of the American Indian Alaska Native Native Hawaiian Caucus (AIANNH Caucus) of the American Public Health Association, board member of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), and as lifetime member and current Co-Chair of the Native Research Network (NRN). She is a Founding member and four-time Co-Chair of the NRN.
​
Throughout her career Dr. Tom-Orme served in numerous national capacities to represent indigenous communities health and research concerns including the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute, National Library of Medicine, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health, and the Network for American Indian Alaska Native Cancer Researchers through the Mayo Clinic.
​
Her awards include the Living Legend Award by the Navajoland Nurses United for Research, Service and Education; National Impact Award by the National Indian Health Board; University of Utah Young Alumni Par Excellence; American Diabetes Association Reaching People Award; and the Frank Dukepoo Researcher Award by the NRN.
​
Locally, she served on the University of Utah Health Science Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, the College of Nursing Outreach and Inclusion Committee as well as serve as Diversity Coordinator, the School of Medicine Admissions Committee, and the Utah State Office of Education Title VI American Indian Education Committee.
​
Throughout her career, she mentored students through the NRN, AIANNH Caucus and the University of Utah Native American Research Internship program.
​
Her research has focused on various aspects of indigenous health including women’s health, diabetes, cancer, chronic conditions, research ethics and public health. As Research Advisor and Native American Liaison with the NCI, Dr. Tom-Orme was instrumental in identifying the need to improve cancer data among AIAN in the Northwest, Oklahoma, Southwest and the Northern Plains.
​
EMAIL: lillian.tomorme@gmail.com
​
Marla Pardilla (Diné)
Co-Chair
​
Marla Pardilla, MPH, MSW is Diné and a Founding Member of NRN. She has been working
with the NA populations in the SE and SW regions of the U.S., as a social worker, health planner, program evaluator and researcher for over 25 years. She is currently consulting with the UNM Prevention Research Center in Albuquerque, NM. She also works with Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, under the Department of International Health, working with Dr. Joel Gittelsohn as Co-P.I. on obesity and diabetes prevention projects with Wisconsin and, Michigan tribes and some SW tribes. She has worked for the State of New Mexico on mental health and substance abuse prevention projects coordinating field studies for the UNM ECHO project with Dr. Sanjeev Arora and Dr. Dan Duhigg. She helped to develop the NRN bylaws and contributed to the Strategic Planning process over the years. She is a member of the North American Indian Women’s Association working on cultural preservation agenda.
​
EMAIL: bellr@unc.edu
Ronny Bell, PhD, MS (Lumbee)
Co-Chair Elect
​
Ronny Bell, PhD, MS is the Fred Eshelman Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Bell received his undergraduate degree in Public Health Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health (1985) and his Master’s (1988) and Doctorate (1993) in Foods and Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Bell completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Gerontology and completed a Master’s in Epidemiology (1996) from the Wake Forest School of Medicine.
​
Dr. Bell is a native of Pembroke, NC and is an enrolled member of the Lumbee tribe of eastern North Carolina. He currently serves a Chair of the North Carolina American Indian Health Board. He is a member of the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control (NC ACCCC) and co-chairs the NC ACCCC Prevention Subcommittee. He co-leads the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP), a collaboration between the Community Outreach and Engagement programs at the three NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in North Carolina. In 2019, he was appointed as Scientific Co-Editor for the North Carolina Medical Journal. He previously served as Co-Chair of the Healthy North Carolina 2030 Task Force.
​
EMAIL: bellr@unc.edu
Vacant
Co-Chair Elect
​
Kamahanahokulani Farrar, MHRM (Native Hawaiian)
Past Co-Chair
​
Kamahanahokulani Farrar is the Senior Director of Finance and Operations at the Wing Luke Museum. Ms. Farrar has a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Hawaii.
More than two decades ago, serving as a board member with the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and working with FQHCs across the Hawaiian Islands, she fell in love with research, community and public health.
Her professional experiences include the Executive Director role with Na Pu’uwai on Molokai from 2016 to 2022, and with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in the Department of the Secretary in Washington D.C. from 2012 to 2016.
​
EMAIL: kamahanahokulani@gmail.com
Deana M. Around Him, DrPH, ScM (Cherokee Nation)
Past Co-Chair
​
Dr. Deana Around Him is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Senior Research Scientist in the Youth Development Program Area at Child Trends, a non-profit research organization focused on improving the lives of children, youth, and their families. She is passionate about strengthening American
Indian maternal and child health and building the research and evaluation capacity of tribal nations. She’s nurtured these interests as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) intern and post-doctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a team member on community-based participatory research projects with tribes, and as the Culture, Science, and Bioethics Core Director for a partnership between the Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health (CRCAIH) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Policy Research Center. In her current role, Dr. Around Him strives to apply research and evaluation best practices in projects that meet the cultural and contextual needs of tribal communities, particularly those that address the well-being of children and youth. Dr. Around Him earned her Bachelor of Arts in Community Health from Brown University, a Master of Science with a concentration in maternal and child health from the Harvard School of Public Health, and her Doctor of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
​
EMAIL: deana.aroundhim@gmail.com
​
Shaun Hains (Métis)
Acting Secretary
Dr. Shaun Hains is a Part Time Professor at Saybrook University’s Department of Social Transformation. She was recognized as Aboriginal Teacher of the Year by the Canadian Teacher’s Federation and recognized within a group Women of Color in Psychology’s Timeline with the American Psychology Association. Dr. Hains is a member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization. Dr. Hains work within Canada involved Defining Indigenous Research and Defining Indigenous Health Ethics with the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as a part of the Aboriginal Ethics Working Group. Within schools Dr. Hains has worked with youth with Severe Conduct Disorder while with an Indigenous Peace Process. Dr. Hains current work is to honor the eagles, as a Native North American research indicators of validity and reliability. “With an eagle feather in my hand, I have a voice, a song, and a love for land and language.” Shaun is also a hereditary chief within the Iroquois, Sioux, Algonquin and Dené families.
​
The Native Research Network looks beyond to now including Canada. For many years, a hard-working Indigenous organization and as I joined, a spotted eagle and a golden eagle flew gently in the skies from north to south. A statement of validity and reliability with integrity for I do not doubt the love of land and language and commitment. As a Lifetime Member I share the opportunity and responsibility in research now as the eagles flew with such grace. As the Native Research Network works diligently in research, the Indigenous voice that an eagle feather represents is a part of a fluency of life that represents that voice. I am thrilled to be able to work within the Native Research Network as a Canadian. Placing the eagle feather within research alongside the Native Research Network is a joy!
EMAIL: shains@xplornet.com
Felicia Hodge, PhD, MPH (Wailaki)
Treasurer
​
Felicia Schanche Hodge, PhD, MPH is a member of the Wailaki from Northern California. She is a Professor in the School of Nursing as well as a Professor in the Department of Health policy and Management in the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA. She teaches courses in research methods, American Indian populations and health disparities. Dr. Hodge is the founder and director of the Center for American Indian/Indigenous Research and Education (CAIIRE) which supports research, evaluation and education. Dr. Hodge served as a member of the NIH-NINR National Advisory Council and the NIH Library of Medicine. She was named an honorary member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. In 2019-2020 she was honored with the Frank C. Dukepoo Award from the Native Research Network (NRN) organization. She has served as Principal Investigator for several large R01 research projects targeting American Indian issues including cervical cancer, nutrition, smoking cessation, breast cancer, wellness concepts, diabetes, and cancer pain and self-management, all supported by the National Institute of Health. Dr. Hodge’s research develops and tests culturally sensitive intervention models for American Indian populations. Dr. Hodge has developed and tested the “Talking Circle” model that tests group processes and counseling to increase cancer screening among American Indians. She has also developed the train-the-trainers program for smoking cessation projects. Consumer advocacy, participatory research and culturally sensitive intervention for the American Indian population are the focus of her research.
​
EMAIL: feliciash@aol.com
Harrison Platero (Diné)
Member-at-Large
​
Harrison Platero is Diné from the Canoncito Band of Navajo Indians, the reservation is located about 35 miles west of the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. He has been a member of the Native Research Network, Inc. since 1997; he has volunteered to assist at NRN research conferences over many years. He is currently serving as ABQ Area Indian Health Board member representing his community of To Hajiilee. He is an employee of the University of New Mexico in the sports and athletics department for seasonal administrative support. He has over 25 years of field behavioral health experience working with Native populations in the SW assisting professional researchers with Diné language and cultural translation with prevention research projects. With his unique skills, he is often called upon to serve as research consultant on prevention research projects for UNM and Johns Hopkins University. He has studied nutrition in college and is often hired as interventionist for the
nutrition and physical activity component of various diabetes and obesity studies. Prior to getting
involved in prevention research studies, he has worked with 5-star hotels in foods and kitchen management.
​
EMAIL: plateroharrison@gmail.com
Rita Kie (Laguna Pueblo)
Member-at-Large
​
Rita L. Kie is a part-time Nutrition Educator for the New Mexico State University/Bernalillo County Extension Service. She teaches nutrition classes to low-income families and youth (K-12) using evidence-based curriculum, to help participants gain knowledge and skills for increased food security, increased physical activity, and reliable information about food resource management.
Rita ‘officially’ retired in 2018 from her public health position at the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc. where she worked for the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) grant. She managed the NARCH administrative and student development cores of the grant. She is fortunate and proud to have worked with the AAIHB, the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, and the Southwest Tribal Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Rita’s spare time is spent with beloved relatives and friends, crafting, cooking, walking her dog, looking at her backyard filled with weeds, and solving “Beware – Very Challenging” Sudoku puzzles. She is also an active member of the Laguna Pueblo Colony of Albuquerque and the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA)-Southwest Region.
​
EMAIL: rlkie@yahoo.com
​
Eve Shenale (Diné)
Member-at-Large
​
I am a mother of four children, enrolled member of the Navajo (Dine’) Nation and work as an Indian Child Welfare Act Specialist with New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department. I was taught important values from my Dine’ culture and those shape the person I am today. I represent the following Navajo clans: Towering House (Mother) Mexican (Father), Bitter Water (Maternal Grandfather), and Big Water (Paternal Grandfather).
In 2022, I earned my master’s degree in social work from New Mexico Highlands University – Facundo Valdez School of School Work. In 2009, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. I have worked with Navajo Nation Judicial Branch - Alamo and To’Hajiilee Judicial District as a Teen Court Coordinator and Navajo Nation Executive Branch - To’Hajiilee Chapter as a Community Services Coordinator. This experience provided me great opportunity to work closely with children, families, community, and tribal leadership to improve health outcomes.
In graduate school I initiated a project titled, Mock Native American Fatality Review Team which examined case scenarios from on and off Native American reservations and urban setting using a fatality methodology tool to identify system gaps, failures, and successes. This student mock training collaborated with University of New Mexico School of Medicine and Native American Committee funded by the crime victim repatriation commission. This was a successful training offered to social work students. I conducted a pre and post survey of participants experience at each of the three sessions. This initiative continues to be sustained. I welcome new learning opportunities to improve and assist in the wellbeing and health of native communities today.
​
EMAIL: eve.shenale@gmail.com
Native Research Network Elders Advisory Council
Dr. Joe Dan Coulter (Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma)
WISDOM KEEPER
​
Dr. Joe Dan Coulter, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa. Dr. Coulter received his PhD in biological psychology and did a Post-doc work in neurophysiology in Texas, Italy and Scotland. Prior to his appointment in the College of Public Health as Associate Dean for Diversity (2004), Dr. Coulter served as Head of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, as Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program, and as the Associate Provost for Diversity and Director, Opportunity at Iowa, The University of Iowa. Dr. Coulter’s professional service has included Associate Program Director, Behavioral and Neurosciences Division, National Science Foundation; Chair, Council of Academic Societies, Association of American Medical Colleges; and President, Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs. Joe Dan, as he is known to AIAN, he worked extensively in AIAN education programs in Montana, Northern Plains and Iowa. He has served on numerous federal review/advisory committees and given talks on research methods and health disparities. Joe Dan remains active in teaching, conducting research and community service in human rights and American Indian/Alaska Native health.
​
Dr. C. June Strickland (Cherokee)
WISDOM KEEPER
​
C. June Strickland, PhD, RN, Professor Emerita, Department of Psychosocial and Community Health Nursing in the University Of Washington School Of Nursing, for over 25 years, she retired in 2018 as a full professor. Since that time, she has continued to provide guest lectures for the Ph.D. program on grounded theory research methodology, provides an orientation each year for undergraduate nursing students who go into a clinical rotation in two Washington state tribes with the University of Washington School of Nursing. She has collaborated with these two tribes to establish clinical rotation sites with the University of Washington School of Nursing in1997. Additionally, she serves as a member of the University Of Washington Office Of Minority Affairs and Diversity advisory committee, serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, and serves as a member of the Northwest Area Indian Health Board NARCH advisory committee. In 2012, Dr. Strickland was awarded the prestigious Dr. Frank Dukepoo award by the Native Research Network.
​
Dr. Yvette Roubideaux (Rosebud Sioux)
WISDOM KEEPER
​
Yvette Roubideaux, MH, MPH, is the Vice President for Research and Director of the Policy Research Center at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Her previous work includes serving in the Obama Administration as a Senior Advisor to the HHS Secretary for American Indians and Alaska Natives and as the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Systems, Management, and Policy in the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado. Previous academic appointments include Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, and Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Roubideaux is former Co-Chair and a founding member of the Native Research Network; additionally, she served as President of the Association of American Indian Physicians. Dr Roubideaux received her undergraduate, medical, and public health degrees at Harvard, is the author of several peer-reviewed research publications and co-edited the 2001 book Promises to Keep: Public Health Policy for American Indians and Alaska Natives.