HNCP supports regional Community Wellness Champion Forums to share “what works” to make healthy community changes at the local level.

Who are Community Wellness Champions? These are the people who are really getting things done and making a difference for healthier families in the communities where they work and live. They are grandparents, fitness leaders, special teachers, community organizers, health workers, parenting instructors, and master gardeners, to name a few. What they share is a commitment to the health of their communities, and the ability to make things happen.

Powerful strategies for community wellness already exist within Native communities. Since 2003 Community Wellness Champion Forums (CWCF’s) across the country have gathered more than 500 Native Community Wellness Champions to honor their ideas and share strategies for community change.

Where do Health and

Wellness come from?

It is often said that "health is created at the community level." Families and communities are like the "kitchen" where wellness is "cooked up" and supported. Community Wellness Champions are master cooks in this kitchen; they know how to pull together the right ingredients to get things done at the local level.

We are all aware of the many barriers getting in the way of healthy change in our communities and neighborhoods. Many excellent plans with the best of intentions have been derailed by politics, shortage of resources, turf battles, apathy or misunderstanding. What makes these Community Wellness Champions special is they have overcome these barriers and succeeded where many others have failed. Their knowledge, skills, and experience are valuable tools to help our communities move toward a healthier future.

We have been honored to bring these locally identified Community Wellness Champions together as a group, in order to share what is working, learn from their experiences, draw lessons for other tribal communities, and develop regional support networks. Now we can share their stories with you.