Name of Traveler: Celeste Whitewolf

Date of Trips: November 16-18, 2004

Purpose of Trip: TPSKINS - Healthy Nations, Taking Action for Positive
Policy

Location of Meeting: Gila River, Arizona

Cost to NPCOH: None

Representative
Status: Presenter and member of the Planning Committee

Information Learned that can help NPCOH and its constituents:
This conference was for Native communities who are trying to establish "tobacco" policies for its communities. There were about 100 people from across the United States. TPSKINS stand for "Tobacco Policy: Sharing Knowledge for Native Societies." This is a project of the American Cancer Society and is based in Seattle, Washington. There seems to be a closed community of people who work in this area. They network with the American Health Association and American Lung Association. The purpose of Ms. Whitewolf's participation at this conference was to begin dialogue between the Natives working with cancer and those working with tobacco issues. This is particularly important because "lung cancer" is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Native people. The two groups do not seem to be working closely together.

Other information learned:
TPSKINS is dependent upon its funding from American Cancer Society and is searching for additional resources.

Follow-up Needed:
Include people met in NPCOH data base.