iKnowMine

01/13/2025

988 Create Art submissions are due today!

🎨 Calling all Young Alaskan Artists! 🎶

The 988 CREATE campaign is here, and we want to see your creativity! 🌟 The theme is “What Inspires you and helps you grow?” — and we’re excited to showcase all kinds of artwork, including music, paintings, drawings, cultural crafts, dance, and more!

🌟 Prizes up for grabs! 🌟
Ten talented creators will win a $150 gift card. All submissions—whether new or past creations—are welcome if they fit the theme.

📅 Submit by January 13, 2025
Digital submissions (.jpg, .jpeg, .mp4, .pdf, or .doc under 25MB) can be sent via:

Email: [email protected]
Submission Link: https://bit.ly/3NW20rM
🎉 The winning pieces will be featured on the Instagram and their website: 988.alaska.gov/create

This contest is made possible by the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska (YAHA), with support from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Alaska Department of Health, Spirit of Youth, Alaska Teen Media Institute, and many other incredible partners working on su***de prevention across the state.

For more info, check out the 988 Create Website: 988.alaska.gov/create

Let's celebrate youth resilience and creative expression in Alaska! 🌈🎨


🌈 Don't miss out on the chance to share what inspires YOU!

01/13/2025

🚨 Good News! Our Mail Services Are Back Up and Running! 🚨

We’re excited to announce that our mail services are fully operational again! 📬✨

Thank you for your patience during this time. We look forward to serving you again! 💌

Hey everyone! 👋

Just a quick update: our mail deliveries are running a bit behind right now due to some important mail contract negotiations we're working through. 📬 We're doing our best to get everything back on track as quickly as possible! Thanks so much for your patience and understanding. 🙏

We’ll keep you posted and let you know once things are moving again. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions – we’re here to help! 😊

01/09/2025

🎨 Calling all Young Alaskan Artists! 🎶

The 988 CREATE campaign is here, and we want to see your creativity! 🌟 The theme is “What Inspires you and helps you grow?” — and we’re excited to showcase all kinds of artwork, including music, paintings, drawings, cultural crafts, dance, and more!

🌟 Prizes up for grabs! 🌟
Ten talented creators will win a $150 gift card. All submissions—whether new or past creations—are welcome if they fit the theme.

📅 Submit by January 13, 2025
Digital submissions (.jpg, .jpeg, .mp4, .pdf, or .doc under 25MB) can be sent via:

Email: [email protected]
Submission Link: https://bit.ly/3NW20rM
🎉 The winning pieces will be featured on the Instagram and their website: 988.alaska.gov/create

This contest is made possible by the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska (YAHA), with support from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Alaska Department of Health, Spirit of Youth, Alaska Teen Media Institute, and many other incredible partners working on su***de prevention across the state.

For more info, check out the 988 Create Website: 988.alaska.gov/create

Let's celebrate youth resilience and creative expression in Alaska! 🌈🎨


🌈 Don't miss out on the chance to share what inspires YOU!

01/06/2025

Hey everyone! 👋

Just a quick update: our mail deliveries are running a bit behind right now due to some important mail contract negotiations we're working through. 📬 We're doing our best to get everything back on track as quickly as possible! Thanks so much for your patience and understanding. 🙏

We’ll keep you posted and let you know once things are moving again. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions – we’re here to help! 😊

12/18/2024

In Alaska Native communities, the transition from youth to adulthood is marked by taking on increased responsibilities, such as decision making around your own s*xual health. As we close out this series, keep these things in mind:

🌞 You have the power to set your own goals and your own personal boundaries.
🌞 Communication is important in any relationship, including your relationship with family and friends.
🌞 You can set your personal rules when it comes to s*x. You can get tested for pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. You can access birth control. Have s*x when you are ready.
🌞 Being intimate with someone creates an emotional and physical connection.
🌞 When having s*x, consent is required from everyone.

As you set out to reach for the stars, remember to trust your gut, and that you are the expert of yourself.❤

12/11/2024

Intention: I want to talk to my partner about our s*xual health.

Having open and honest conversations with your partner(s) allows everyone to make informed decisions about activities they feel safe and comfortable with. When it comes to s*x, it is always good to use protection to prevent unplanned pregnancy, HIV, and STIs.

Before talking with a partner about what you both want to do, it’s important to figure out what you personally are okay with! Here are some questions you can ask each other:
• Am I ready to have s*x? Are you?
• What are your personal values?
• What are your school and career goals?

Communication is important because being intimate with someone creates an emotional and physical connection.

Learn more about STI testing: iknowmine.org/sti-testing

12/04/2024

🤲🏽 Intention: I will take care of my mental health before, during, and after s*xual activity by checking in with myself and assessing my boundaries.

Your s*xual health does impact your mental health, and vice versa. Your mental health can affect things like desire, arousal, the way you feel about yourself, and your confidence.

Remember to have grace and patience with yourself and others when incorporating self-care and self-love practices in your daily life.

A good starting place is to remember who you came from. We are everything our ancestors had ever dreamed of, and more. ❤️❤️❤️

11/27/2024

Intention: I am not ready to have kids. I want to learn about how I can reduce my risk of unintended pregnancy.

Birth control is a great tool that can help people feel empowered to make choices regarding their future. While the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy is to not have s*x, that is not a choice for everyone.

Here are some types of birth control that people use:

🌞 Barrier methods: These help keep s***m from physically reaching the egg through the use of a safer s*x tool, like condoms, s***micides, diaphragms and cervical caps.
🌞 Short-acting hormonal methods: These reduce the risk for pregnancy by stopping the ovulation and fertilization of the egg. Some examples of these include: “The Pill,” the patch and the vaginal ring.
🌞 Long-acting contraceptives: These reduce the risk for pregnancy in different ways. Some increase certain hormones, and some do not. These include things like the Intrauterine Device (IUD), the rod, tubal ligation and even vasectomies.
🌞 Emergency contraception: This is used when individuals have unprotected s*x, or if a birth control method fails. These include tools like the IUD and the morning-after pill.

It is important to talk to your provider about which birth control option is best for you.
Learn more about birth control here: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/birth-control/

11/20/2024

🤲🏽 Intention: I want to talk to my parent about s*xual health and using condoms.

Trusted adults play a very important role in our lives. They are there to listen if you need someone to talk to 🗣, can give you advice if you are dealing with things like relationships 🤷🏽‍♀️, school, social pressures 👯🏽‍♀️, and just about anything.
Here are some tips for having a conversation about condoms with your parent:

💪🏽 Be confident - you've decided what's best for you and your well-being.
👍🏽 Be direct - make sure you're clear, "I want to use condoms and would like to talk about it."

Be prepared to talk about all sorts of things, like:
❤ Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
❤ Pregnancy prevention
❤ How to use condoms
❤ How well condoms work

To learn more about how to talk with a trusted adult, visit https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/trusted-adults/

11/14/2024

It's OK to choose not to have s*x. It’s also OK to choose to have s*x! Before you have s*x, talk to your partner(s) about your preferences ahead of time before things get hot and heavy.
If you are having s*x, remember that it’s your right to:
❤ Use barrier protection, such as condoms and oral dams (and have them with you just in case they are needed).
👩🏽‍⚕️ Talk to a health care provider about birth control.
👫🏽 Reduce the number of s*xual partners to lower your risk of unplanned pregnancy or STIs.
🏥 Get tested for HIV and STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
🧐 Remember that testing is the only way to know for sure that you do not have an STI or are pregnant.

Learn more about how to talk with your local healthcare provider about s*x here: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/how-to-talk-with-a-provider/

11/07/2024

Last time, we talked about puberty, but it is important to know that a person’s reproductive anatomy is different from a person’s gender identity or s*xual preference.
The Gender Unicorn is a tool that can be used in order to explore the different terms related to gender, s*x assigned at birth and s*xuality.
EVERYONE has a gender identity. This includes your uppa, gram, uncle, siblings or cousins, mom, dad and YOU!

Learn how to fill out your own Gender Unicorn at https://transstudent.org/gender/

Content and image credit:

10/30/2024

Adulthood ceremonies often aligned with the same timeline as puberty, which is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. Hormones change as puberty begins, and puberty affects everyone differently. Most boys grow facial and p***c hair, and their voices deepen. Most girls grow p***c hair and breasts, and start their period. All in all, this is a time when a lot of change happens!
Everybody and every BODY is different. The reproductive system is one of those things where it is so different.

To learn more about your anatomy and changes that you might experience, visit: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/puberty/

10/29/2024

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and ANTHC’s Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation have partnered to manage a rapid response fund on behalf of Tribes. 100 percent of proceeds will be directed to the Native Village of Kotzebue to help respond to the coastal storm and devastating flooding in the area.

How to donate: Individuals and organizations looking to give to the Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund may do so by going to the following link to donate online: https://healthyalaskanatives.org/kotzebue-flood/ .

Checks may be mailed or delivered to:
Health Alaska Natives Foundation
Attn: Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund
4000 Ambassador Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Check Memo – Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund

Find out more, here: https://www.anthc.org/.../healthy-alaska-natives.../

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and ANTHC’s Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) have partnered to manage a rapid response fund on behalf of Tribes. 100 percent of proceeds will be directed to the Native Village of Kotzebue to help respond to the coastal storm and devastating flooding in northwest Alaska last week.

ANTHC and HANF partnered with the Native Village of Kotzebue to manage the Fund so Tribal officials and first responders can focus on recovery. The natural disaster caused the evacuation of an estimated 85 residents from their homes just at the onset of winter.

In addition to managing the fund, ANTHC and HANF are donating $20,000 to the recovery effort.

How to donate: Individuals and organizations looking to give to the Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund may do so by going to the following link to donate online: https://healthyalaskanatives.org/kotzebue-flood/.

Checks may be mailed or delivered to:

Health Alaska Natives Foundation
Attn: Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund
4000 Ambassador Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Check Memo – Kotzebue Flood Relief Fund

Find out more, here: https://www.anthc.org/news/healthy-alaska-natives-foundation-to-operate-kotzebue-flood-relief-fund-on-behalf-of-tribes/

10/23/2024

“Have patience. Some things cannot be rushed.” – Bristol Bay Yup’ik value

Having romantic interests can be exciting! Knowing what a healthy relationship looks like can help prevent an unhealthy relationship. A healthy relationship includes respect, communication and trust.

Before you go on a date or if you start dating, ask yourself:

👵🏽 Have I talked to a trusted adult about dating yet?
👫🏽 What am I looking for in a partner?
👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏽 Am I ready for a physical relationship, or do I want to wait?
🧐 What are my boundaries?

Consent is an important part of everyday life that helps two or more people build a happy and healthy relationship. It means giving permission for something to happen. In any situation, you can choose to say “no,” even after saying “yes.” It is a personal choice that nobody can make or take from anyone else in any situation.

10/22/2024

The Anchorage Youth Development Coalition has an exciting opportunity for Anchorage youth!

Youth Matter Grant applications for 2025 are now open, and there are five $5,000 grants available for youth-led projects. This is a great opportunity for any group of youth who have an idea for a project that will make an impact on their community.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebeka Wilcox at [email protected].

10/22/2024

Quyana for those who participated! After looking through the public posts and reviewing for eligibility, the winners of the $50 Visa Gift cards include: Carlene Hockema, Caitie Jones, TiŋmiaqLittlebird Kvasnikoff, Josephine, Leonard, Crystal, Amelia & the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition. DM us your address so that we can send them to you.

Since there are three additional gift cards, we randomized the 9 names on the Wheel of Names, and here are the results:
Amelia and Caitie Jones will get another $50 Visa Gift Card!
And Carlene Hockema wins the $200 Big Ray's Gift Card!
Thank you to all who participated!

*Edit*
Giveaway EXTENDED!
We are extending this opportunity for the Elder's and Youth & AFN Conferences! You can now share this post until 10/18 at 12pm. The winner will be drawn that afternoon.
Quyana to those who have shared already. PLEASE make sure your privacy settings are on 'public' for your shared post to ensure that we can see who was able to share the info!

Original post:
📣📣 GIVEAWAY OPEN until 10/10! 📣📣
We are recruiting for the iKnowMine Youth Advisory Board (YAB)! Do you, or someone you know, meet the following criteria:
👉🏽 Between 12-17 years old
👉🏽 Has access to Zoom or can meet in-person in Anchorage
👉🏽 Interested in community health

Youth from around Alaska will work together on public health projects that impact you and your communities. Each youth will receive a 💰 $50 gift card 💰 after each meeting.
Anyone in Alaska can share this post through 10/10 to be entered to win one of the following prizes:
💳 1 $200 Big Ray's Gift Card
💳 1 of 10 $50 Visa Gift Cards
Winners will be contacted on 10/11.
Link in bio for the YAB application. DM us with questions!

10/18/2024

We're having such a BLAST at Alaska Federation of Natives! Be sure to stop by our booth TODAY until noon to say hi! 👋🏽
Shoutout to Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for catching us in action! 👇🏾☺️

10/18/2024

Hi everyone! Just a couple hours left! Click on the original post to ENTER & be sure to turn your privacy settings to 'public'!😍😍

*Edit*
Giveaway EXTENDED!
We are extending this opportunity for the Elder's and Youth & AFN Conferences! You can now share this post until 10/18 at 12pm. The winner will be drawn that afternoon.
Quyana to those who have shared already. PLEASE make sure your privacy settings are on 'public' for your shared post to ensure that we can see who was able to share the info!

Original post:
📣📣 GIVEAWAY OPEN until 10/10! 📣📣
We are recruiting for the iKnowMine Youth Advisory Board (YAB)! Do you, or someone you know, meet the following criteria:
👉🏽 Between 12-17 years old
👉🏽 Has access to Zoom or can meet in-person in Anchorage
👉🏽 Interested in community health

Youth from around Alaska will work together on public health projects that impact you and your communities. Each youth will receive a 💰 $50 gift card 💰 after each meeting.
Anyone in Alaska can share this post through 10/10 to be entered to win one of the following prizes:
💳 1 $200 Big Ray's Gift Card
💳 1 of 10 $50 Visa Gift Cards
Winners will be contacted on 10/11.
Link in bio for the YAB application. DM us with questions!