SRMT Health Services, Roswell Park’s Center for Indigenous Cancer Research Partner to Create the Akwesasne Research Center for Health
Nov 23, 2021
AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) is proud to announce that a program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is being implemented in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Center for Indigenous Cancer Research (CICR) team. The four-year grant totaling nearly $2.2 Million from the NIH establishes the Akwesasne Research Centers for Health (ARCH) and includes two projects: Administrative Core Project and the Saint Regis Mohawk Research Scholars Programs.
“It is an honor to help lead the community in establishing our own Akwesasne Research Center for Health and designing our first project to focus on supporting and promoting student interests in community health,” said SRMT Health Services Director Michael Cook “We are grateful to have a strong partner in the Center for Indigenous Cancer Research and Roswell Park.”
The Saint Regis Mohawk Research Scholars Programs are designed to support Mohawk students to enter, advance and remain in health and research careers that address Indigenous health issues, particularly in Akwesasne. The project includes three components: a virtual after-school club called the Mohawk Youth Health Ambassador Program; a three-week summer internship program at Roswell Park for Mohawk high school students; and a ten-week summer internship program at Roswell Park for Mohawk college students. Community members are invited to visit the SRMT Education Division webpage to learn more about these new and exciting programs for our youth at https://www.srmt-nsn.gov/education/programs.
“We appreciate the strong leadership of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and their efforts to establish the Akwesasne Research Center for Health. Our partnership will support the creation of health and education programming for future generations of Indigenous scientists,” says CICR Director Rodney Haring.
The SRMT Health Services Division is the prime recipient of the NIH grant and will coordinate directly with the SRMT Education Division to co-develop project planning, student curriculum, staff recruitment and implementation. Roswell Park and the CICR serve as the research partners to support the projects and will work closely with SRMT on student curriculum design, project implementation, and student summer internships at Roswell Park in Buffalo, NY.
The Administrative Core Project will support SRMT Health Services Division’s efforts to provide and integrate community-driven process and scientific leadership, administrative support and fiscal management, along with program evaluation expertise for current and future ARCH projects.
All questions should be directed to SRMT Education Division Director Stephanie Cook at Stephaniei.Cook@srmt-nsn.gov.
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About Native American Research Centers for Health The National Institute of General Medical Sciences in conjunction with multiple NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices have partnered with Indian Health Service to support the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH). The NARCH program supports opportunities for conducting research and career enrichment to meet the health needs prioritized by American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The newly awarded ARCH is one of 29 NARCH awards, and one of two awards based in the northeast. Learn more at https://www.nigms.nih.gov/capacity-building/division-for-research-capacity-building/native-american-research-centers-for-health-(narch).
About Center for Indigenous Cancer Research The Center for Indigenous Cancer Research was launched at Roswell Park in 2020 with a simple and ambitious goal: to reduce the impact of cancer on Indigenous communities regionally, nationally, and internationally. Founded by Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW, an enrolled citizen of the Seneca Nation (Beaver Clan), the CICR honors the values of Indigenous Knowledge, sovereignty, and respect for the environment through community-driven partnerships, collaborative research and education to reduce the impact of cancer on Indigenous communities. Learn more atwww.roswellpark.org/cicr , or contact us at (716) 845-5814.
About Roswell Park Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.