Native American Employee Resource Group
The Native American ERG (NAERG) exists to be a resource throughout OHSU and to community members
interested in Native American culture, issues, health, and education. The Native American ERG uses its
resources to provide educational outreach, spread awareness, and promote thoughtful discussion between its
members and allies. Everyone is welcome to all Native American ERG meetings and events.
To connect with OHSU’s NAERG, email Kerri Smith-Slingerland (Sault Ste. Marie Ojibwe), [email protected],
University Hospital South or Michelle Singer (Navajo), [email protected], Department of Public Health &
Preventive Medicine.
Upcoming OHSU Native Cultural Competency Events
1st Friday Native Movie Night at OHSU in collaboration with Portland Public School’s Indian Education
Program
Documentary Viewing: Racing the Rez
Friday, March 6 || 6 pm in Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Vey Auditorium (11th Floor)
Racing the Rez, a one-hour documentary, follows five teens living on the Navajo and Hopi reservations
who are also cross-country runners from two rival high schools who put it all on the line. Win or lose,
they learn lessons in the course of their seasons that will have a dramatic effect on the rest of their
lives. Racing the Rez unfolds over two years of careful, patient observation, and offers a rare view into
the surprising complexity and diversity of contemporary reservation life.
Documentary Viewing: Sacred Stick
Friday, April 3 || 6 pm in OHSU Old Library Auditorium
Sacred Stick, a one-hour documentary, explores the history of lacrosse in North America; one that is
rich and a multi-layered one. Much more than a Native American ball and stick game, lacrosse is a
cultural window into Native American communities and their historical relationship with each other
and the dominant culture.
Documentary Viewing: Water Buster
Friday, May 1|| 6 pm in OHSU Old Library Auditorium
Water Buster, a one-hour documentary, explores the personal story of how a multi-million dollar
project displaced the Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Nation in North Dakota. Through interviews and
archival footage, a uniquely Native American perspective emerges giving light to a portrait of resilience
and survival in the face of catastrophic change; symmetry to tribal fishing area of the Columbia River,
Celilo Falls and the construction of The Dalles Dam in 1957.
Native American Employee Resource Group
Documentary Viewing: Barking Water
Friday, June 5 || 6 pm in OHSU Old Library Auditorium
Barking Water, a 2009 Sundance Film Festival film by Sterlin Harjo, takes viewers on a road trip
through his own personal Oklahoma, which includes an eclectic mix of humanity. Main characters,
Irene and Frankie, have a difficult past, but Frankie needs Irene’s help as he prepares for his spirit
journey and making amends on a redemptive road journey to make right of his past. In this sparingly
sentimental and achingly poignant film, Barking Water is an expression of gratitude for the ability to
have lived and loved.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION WEBSITES
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For Parking and Transportation Information to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital:
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/doernbecher/visiting-doernbecher/maps-and-directions/
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For Parking and Transportation Information to OHSU Marquam Hill:
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/visiting/directions/marquamhill.cfm