Resource Center

This is a 6:51 min video that discusses end of care choices for American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) communities members, aimed at AIAN community members. 

Kathy Lichterman, a Medical Social Worker for Fond du Lac Human Services, and Dr. Mary Owens, Director of The Center of American Indian and Minority Health, emphasize the importance of culturally prioritized end of care choices for their American Indian And Alaska Native relatives. Advanced care directives offer patients the opportunity to share share their desires and preferences around medical care/end-of-life care before a crisis occurs. Advanced care directives can include ceremonial, cultural and burial wishes.

Sharon Day, an elder of the Chippewa community, shares her experiences as well on the benefits of an advanced care directives in relieving the burden of her children and grandchildren on difficult decisions regarding her future care. 

About the organization: In 2018, Honoring Choices of Minnesota approached the Center of American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH) to collaborate on a project to increase healthcare directives in AIAN communities. CAIMH assembled AIAN students, faculty and community members to identify to create a toolkit for providers and community members.