News about People Who Appear in the Documentary Series

From time to time, we'll post new information about the people and places that were featured in UNNATURAL CAUSES. Updates are organized by episode.

 

Kim Anderson is putting her 20 years of experience as legal counsel, board member and manager of non-profit and for-profit entities to work as an executive consultant for non-profit organizations. Kim's daughter Dani is entering Howard University, where she plans to study biology and African American Studies and eventually attend medical school and pursue a career in public health. Dani was recently named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/ College Board Epidemiology National Scholar, ranking 7th nationally out of 700 initial applicants.

Terrol Dew Johnson, Tohono O’odham:  Beginning in May 2008, Terrol will embark on a 2,500-mile walking journey to promote indigenous solutions to the health crisis affecting Native American communities.  Starting in the Native communities on the coast of Maine, Terrol will “walk home” to the Tohono O’odham Nation in Southern Arizona.  Along the way, he will visit dozens of Native communities, promoting traditional Native foods and fitness as an essential tool for creating community wellness.

“Reclaiming our food traditions and our cultures is a way for Native peoples to reclaim control of our wellness, identity and economies,” says Terrol.  “We have everything we need to create wellness within our communities – our traditional foods, our cultural identity, our land and water, our elders and our youth. Instead of just focusing on the problems, we need to turn to the wisdom of the past to create solutions for our future.”

As co-founder and co-director of Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA), Terrol has dedicated 13 years to promoting traditional foods and cultural activities as a solution to the epidemic rates of Type 2 Diabetes within his tribe and among Native peoples nationally.  “On this walk, I will be working to bring TOCA’s message more deeply into my own life.  It is a physical journey, an emotional journey and a spiritual journey.” 

Israel Bernal was accepted to Penn State and will be starting their summer program in July 2008.  Israel, Alfredo and Olga (who is now in the 8th grade) all have academic mentors at The Garage Youth Center and are there to study and socialize several times a week.  Amador Bernal still waters mushrooms at Kaolin Mushrooms and his wife Bernadita still packs boxes at To-jo Mushrooms.  Kaolin and To-jo are two of the farms that are participating in the traveling health clinic program initiated by La Comunidad Hispana.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, continues to be a leader in providing services that help foster an atmosphere of inclusion, receptivity and mutual support. “Bridging the Community” (www.bridgingcommunity.com) monthly meetings, for example, bring residents from all walks of life together to develop partnerships, offer services and seek assistance.