MMCRI DEI Workgroup Email Blast 11/29 - 12/3/21

 Thanks to Liz Scharnetzki for this contribution!

Self-Reflection Quotes of the Week:

 

“It’s necessary to develop critical thinking skills to understand how race is a crucial part of our shared history. And that’s not just a theory, it’s a fact.” – Lakota People’s Law Project

 

Moments of Inspiration:

 

An Indigenous chef is putting her heritage on the menu with landmark restaurant

 

Could mindfulness change the way we treat people of other races? White people who received training in mindfulness meditation were three times more likely to help a Black person in staged scenarios than those who were not trained, according to a new study in Social Psychological and Personality Science.

 

THE INDIGENOUS FUTURES STORYTELLING PROJECT

 

Are Non-Christian Employees Represented in Your Holiday Policies?

 

Native Land Beer Campaign - Brewed to acknowledge the contributions and history of Native American People in the United States

 

Building a workforce equity agenda starts with dismantling white supremacy

 

“Recruiting and retaining Black talent is a priority for many organizations. Most are committed to and investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. And yet, according to interviews and focus groups with Black executives working in a variety of blue-chip companies with strong DEI programs, very few feel good about their workplace experiences at work. They feel isolated, unable to be authentic, and less confident. How can employers and individual managers? By ensuring that Black employees feel safe, seen and supported. This article outlines some concrete ways to make that happen.” Read more here

 

A Foundation grant to MaineHealth supports a promising setting to address Adverse Childhood Experiences – the pediatrician’s office

 

It’s Now Possible To Visit The Smithsonian’s African American History Museum Virtually

 

 

Newsworthy and noteworthy for this week:

 

Three Men Are Found Guilty of Murdering Ahmaud Arbery

• Relatedly: “True justice would have been that he would be alive here with us,” she said. “He’d be with his family, that he could run on any street without anyone questioning his place there. And so I see this as the punishment fitting the crime, not necessarily justice. We have to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.” Read more here

 

APA calls for ‘whole person’ response to rising drug overdose deaths

 

In Minneapolis Schools, White Families Are Asked to Help Do the Integrating

 

This tribe helped the Pilgrims survive for their first Thanksgiving. They still regret it 400 years later.

 

 

Resources:

UCLA’s Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send

Want to stay up to date on MH Governmental Affairs? Email Sarah Calder (scalder@mainehealth.org) to receive their newsletter

November is:

Native American Heritage Month

 

National Diabetes Month

 

National Adoption Month

 

National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

 

Lung Cancer Awareness Month –Here is a great person-first, patient-centered language guide

 

Upcoming Sessions:

 

Friday, December 17^th Joint meeting with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s DEI group – NEW TIME THIS SESSION: 11-11:55am

* Strategies for Effective Anti Racist Allyship within your sphere of influence Part 2 with Allura Casanova (University of Michigan) will be rescheduled for later this fall due to an unforeseen emergency

 

ACTION ITEMS:

• JOIN A TEAM: If you’re interested in more hands on work, email EScharnetz@mmc.org

• REMEMBER TO CHECK SLACK – need membership? Email  COLE FERM

• GO TO OUR Website

• ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE WEEK: Defined Action: Hold yourself accountable. Pick an action. Own it. We encourage you to share some of the direct actions you have taken on the Slack Channel.  Reference our group’s logical model for inspiration on personal and professional ways to provide direct action.  Email: nferm@mmc.org for access to the slack channel.