The Center for Native Health and Culture at Heritage University engages in research, curricular initiatives, and community outreach, building partnerships to promote healthy and culturally vibrant Native communities in the Pacific Northwest.
The Center has four major goals:
- To conduct interdisciplinary health research that addresses root causes of health disparities in order to promote community health and well-being.
- To establish partnerships and collaborative projects with tribal and community programs to advocate for educational access and success among Yakama Reservation community members and, by extension, among other Native American communities.
- To promote self-determined Native American communities, with a special emphasis on supporting community-led initiatives for Yakama language and cultural revitalization.
- To host and sponsor seminars and workshops to address Native American health and language issues and challenges.