• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Yelp
  • News
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Events
NACA
  • About
    • Our History & Mission
    • Our Leadership
    • Careers & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Our Locations
  • Family Health
    • Medical Services
    • Providers
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Covid-19 Information
  • Behavioral Health
    • Mental Health Services
    • Substance Use and Prevention
    • Providers
    • Extended Services
  • Health Promotions
    • Sacred Mountain Prayer Run
    • Health Promotion Team
    • Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
    • Indigenous Empowerment for Healthy Lifestyles
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
    • Wellness Center
  • Community Development
    • Reach Ur Life Program
    • Pathways Youth Program
    • Native Connections
    • L.I.F.E. Program
    • Supportive Services Program
    • Community Resources
  • Oak Creek Overlook Program
  • Menu Menu

2021 Sacred Mountain Prayer Run

News

NACA’s 2021 Sacred Mountain Prayer Run – A Source of Healing & Prayer

The Sacred Mountain Prayer Run is back, and virtual in 2021!

It’s that time of year again, the time to get out your running shoes and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with Native Americans for Community Action’s (NACA) annual Sacred Mountain Prayer Run. However, there is one twist. It will be virtual family races! This way you get to experience the physical and spiritual healing attributes with your family, on your time, staying safe, and taking in all that nature and physical activity have to offer. Tallerita Tunney-Rogers, Director of Community Development at NACA, stated the significance of the run is that, “Indigenous people have been running for a variety of reasons, from sending messages across large distances as well as for the healing benefits of running.”

The Importance of Traditional Medicines & Prayer

Physical activity has been used as a traditional method of healing and meditation among the indigenous people for many years. Particularly in Arizona, Native Americans run on a daily basis to not only enrich their spiritual health, but also strengthen their bodies and stay in shape. Ms. Tunney-Rogers said for her, “the pull of running as a form of prayer speaks to me especially as an effective way that was passed down to me from my dad to manage difficult times in life.” Although this practice is not done throughout all indigenous tribes, the concept of combining physical wellbeing with spiritual wellbeing to connect and heal one’s inner soul with the earth does resonate with everyone, even those of other religions.

In regards to the physical health benefits, Ms. Tunney-Rogers said that “running can also serve as a form of meditation that contributes to mental resilience and wellbeing.” Tribal cultures also use herbs, ceremonies, and prayer harmoniously together as ways of treating and preventing illness while improving their overall health. Unfortunately, the younger generations are falling away from these traditions passed down from their parents and grandparents. The more these traditions are not followed, the more tribes will experience diabetes, which was almost unheard of less than 100 years ago. This is why it is important to note the healing properties that stem from running, while also incorporating prayer to keep one’s spiritual journey intact.

NACA’s 2021 Sacred Mountain Prayer Run Details

NACA is committed to help fight against diabetes and obesity around their community with bringing activities and events that promote a healthy and active lifestyle. As one of the longest running foot races in Flagstaff, AZ, the Sacred Mountain Prayer Run represents a time honored tradition of connecting one’s physical wellbeing rooted in nature all while focusing on your spiritual and emotional wellbeing as well. Our organization wants to keep the indigenous people’s traditions alive because of the physical and spiritual properties practiced that ensure everyone is staying active, but also not forgetting their heritage and that spiritual health is vitally important when combined with your overall physical wellbeing.

In the past, the race has started just outside of historic Downtown Flagstaff at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks, which offered many twists and turns for a challenging and rewarding course. Since the race is being done virtually, due to COVID-19 safety regulations, the participant will get to choose where they wish to race, how long either 2k, 5k, or 10k, and complete their race within the events timeline starting from May 30th and ending on June 5th, 2021. Ms. Tunney-Rogers, who also oversees many other programs associated with NACA like the Reach UR Life, LIFE Program, and the Supportive Services, pointed out that the event would, “host up to 200 runners, however race participation has fluctuated significantly over the past 5 years.” She added that since the race isn’t a fundraising event for NACA’s Supportive Services programs and won’t be competitive, “there are no place prizes, however, we will be providing participation medals for paid registrants.” If you would like to make a donation to the Supportive Services, you still can during registration whether online or in-person. With the race conversion being a virtual event, it allows individuals to register online, but you can still register in-person at both NACA locations through June 3rd, 2021, with registration packets being mailed out to all participants.

For the community, Ms. Tunney-Rogers ended on this note,

“running as a form of healing and prayer have been a part of the Indigenous culture…I invite the entire running community to join in on the conversation about how running has benefitted them by using #RunFlagstaff #2021SMPR and tagging us @NACAFlagstaff.”

We hope you will join in on the fun this year and use running in a way to heal you mind, body, and soul.

To register for this wonderful, life-fulling event, visit nacainc.org/prayer-run, or to request a mailed registration form, please email trogers@nacainc.org.

To learn more about NACA or how you can get involved with our organization, please contact us today.

August 24, 2014/by MABU
https://nacainc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2017_06_03_NACA_SMPR_2017_6D_Stills-371.jpg 1280 853 MABU https://dev-naca.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NACA-Secondary-Logo-FC-RGB.png MABU2014-08-24 18:56:262022-02-04 15:38:452021 Sacred Mountain Prayer Run

NACA Celebrates National Nurses Week

News, Personal

NACA Celebrates Two of its Nurses during National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week, May 6th – 12th, is a time to honor and recognize nurses for the heart and dedication they bring to their patients in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and clinics all across the country. Only a year has passed since the coronavirus pandemic occurred and since then countless nurses, both men and women, stepped up the call to action to provide round the clock care to millions of patients, who were struck ill with the deadly virus. They administered not only treatments and care, but peace and comfort to those not able to have family members with them either in their last days or until they recovered and were able to go home.

Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) is using this week to highlight two of their on-staff nurses at their Family Health Clinic. One of their nurses, Natalie Metz, a nurse practitioner, said,

“Being a nurse means spending time with patients and understanding what about their health is important to them. It means believing that patients are experts in their own health and finding ways to support them in their journey.”

NACA’s Family Health Center Highlights Two On-staff Nurses

Natalie Metz, DNP, APRN, FNP-C – has been on staff with NACA since 2018, but has been a registered nurse since 2011 as a certified family nurse practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, and doctor of nursing practice. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Northern Arizona University, and her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Frontier Nursing University. Ms. Metz first started working in the medical field as a patient care tech at a hospital, mentioning that she, “was able to see each medical specialty and how they interacted with patients. I chose nursing because it allowed me to combine medical and scientific knowledge with patient centered holistic care.” She then completed her nurse practitioner internship with NACA, stating that when she graduated she, “was lucky enough to transition right into practice at NACA and continue to see the same patients I met during school.” NACA’s Family Health Clinic offers a wide range of health services to the community, which is what drew Ms. Metz to the non-profit organization in the first place. Her areas of focus are family medicine with an emphasis on ages five and up, chronic disease management, wellness across the lifespan, LGBTQ+, and sexual health including STI treatment and prevention.

Ms. Metz commented, “I feel confident that my patients will receive quality medical care, as well as mental and physical health support to maintain wellness.” Her passion is to provide medical care to underserved populations and understand the individual needs of her patients.

During Ms. Metz’s free time, she enjoys spending time outside, particularly at the beach, doing all kinds of activities. She also likes relaxing with her wife, making fermented foods and playing fantasy football.

Verity Quiroz RN, MSN – has been on staff with NACA since 2020, but has been a registered nurse since 2004 with her specialty as a primary care nurse. She received her Associates Degree of Nursing from Cochise Community College and her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. Ms. Quiroz was drawn to NACA due in large part to her native heritage and when asked why she became a nurse, she said that, “I am a third generation nurse, my grandmother, my mother, and two of my aunts are in the nursing field. I was drawn to the occupation from the start.” Since graduating, she has worked in numerous medical positions starting from medical surgical, medical telemetry, overflow, nephrology, employee health, infection control to outpatient pediatrics, which include plastic surgery, orthopedics, cleft lip and palate, scoliosis, and cerebral palsy, just to name a few. She added that, “Healthcare can be difficult to navigate, (but) I am driven to advocate for patients and their healthcare needs.” Her passion is caring for underserved populations such as pediatrics and geriatrics.

During Ms. Quiroz’s free time, she loves fitness and workouts regularly, and enjoys going camping and hiking in the great outdoors with her husband and their four children, who keep them busy with soccer and gymnastics. She also helps her husband at his ranch on the Navajo Nation reservation and they all like to travel as often as they can.

NACA’s Family Health Clinic

The nurses at NACA’s Family Health Clinic are more than just nurses, but are here to ensure you’re well taken care of and get the health check-ups and medications necessary to keep you living and living life to the fullest. Ms. Quiroz ended with this comment that,

“Nursing is not just medical care. It is whole body, mind, and spirit care. We are often friends, confidants, counselors, caregivers, attendants, nannies, and nurturers. Nursing is compassion, advocacy, reliability, responsibility, and it is 100% what we want to do.”

If you need medical care, our clinic is here with many services to meet your needs. From acute and chronic illness care, physicals, immunizations, STD Testing, Diabetes Management, Pap and Breast Exams, Family Planning, to Well-Child checks, and WIC (up to age 5). We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, while offering medical attention to the entire Flagstaff community, with a whole person in mind to get them the medical help they need. We are committed to providing compassionate, patient sensitive, and culturally sensitive clinic staff, like Ms. Metz and Ms. Quiroz, to guarantee the best healthcare for our patients. For your convenience, we also accept most private insurances as well as Medicare and Medicaid, and we do provide services for visitors, who plan to self-pay.

To schedule an appointment and start your healthcare journey in the right direction, call our Family Health Clinic at (928) 773-1245 or email fhwc@nacainc.org.

To learn more about NACA or how you can get involved with our organization, please contact us today.

January 24, 2013/by MABU
https://nacainc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/naca_stock_photos_20210325_038-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 MABU https://dev-naca.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NACA-Secondary-Logo-FC-RGB.png MABU2013-01-24 18:20:212022-02-04 15:38:25NACA Celebrates National Nurses Week
Page 2 of 212

Archive

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • July 2021
  • May 2021
  • August 2014
  • December 2013
  • January 2013

Categories

  • Careers
  • News
  • Personal
  • Uncategorized

Follow us on Facebook

Native Americans for Community Action

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
1500 E Cedar Ave., Suite 56
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-526-2968
outreach@nacainc.org
M-F | 8am-12pm, 1pm-5pm

FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
1500 E Cedar Ave., Suite 26
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-773-1245
fhwc@nacainc.org
M-Th | 8am-6pm
F | 8am-5pm

WELLNESS CENTER
1500 E Cedar Ave., Suite 52
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-773-1245 ext. 221
fhwc@nacainc.org
M-Th | 8am-7pm
F | 8am-5pm

For Marketing and Public Relations, please contact Almalía at (928) 526-2968    x166 or email them at almaliabp@nacainc.org

EMPLOYEE EMAIL ACCESS

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Full Non-Discrimination Statement.

© Copyright - NACA - Site by Agency MABU
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Yelp
Scroll to top