UICSL September 2026 Newsletter: We Value T.H.E. P.E.O.P.L.E

August started off in a positive way with our Back-to-School Event – nearly 500 children attended along with their families and other community members. We remain so thankful to our donors, sponsors, and volunteers who help make this annual event happen and continue to grow. It is events like this that continually remind me and our great staff of what it means to “Serve the People” and continue to give forward to the upcoming generations.

We also were lucky to host the Emmy-award winning series Navajo Highways for a day as they continue to advance children’s educational programs through a native lens. We are looking forward to their upcoming shows and pleased to know UICSL helped contribute to its story along with providing community space for meaningful partners.

Sports/fitness at UICSL is also taking off in ways we never imagined – huge credit to our Public Health and fitness team. We held a several days lacrosse camp and ended the month with an all-day basketball clinic taught by professional basketball player Analyss Benally and her family through their nonprofit AB5 Basketball. Seeing participants of all ages is inspiring and has motivated me personally to start playing basketball again recreationally along with coaching my own sons’ sports teams.

Through it all, the month of August also served as a strong period of SiiHasin (reflecting, Diné) for us an organization. We do so much and don’t often take time to appreciate or think about our successes, our failures, and learn from our experiences to gain the confidence or assurance to adapt to new situations and evolve. For the first time in four years, we decided to hold a management retreat, held at Red Butte Garden, for an entire day. We walked among the plants, listened to the silence, and brainstormed on how to take UICSL to the next steppingstone for growth. It was refreshing to hear everyone’s perspective and how each one of them contributes to the overall goals of the organization along with what theirs are for their respective teams. From this we can build and execute a cohesive strategy going into future years; I am looking forward to making an annual tradition.

Now onwards and upwards to September. We will be announcing a town hall in the coming months to share exciting updates for UICSL, visiting more tribal leaders within the state, meeting with IHS and community partners for ways to better advance native health, and remain committed to being a steward of resources for the broader community.

Wopila (With gratitude, Lakota Sioux)

Matt Poss, Executive Director

Centuries ago, when Europeans began migrating to the Americas, they initially struggled to survive. They entered into an unfamiliar environment, unsure of how to adapt what they knew to their new surroundings. It was largely through the beneficence of this land’s natives that they learned where to find food and how to hunt, fish, and trap it, what plants would grow and which would not and how to successfully raise them, and how to survive the climate and diseases they encountered here. They quickly found that the natives’ knowledge and skills were often better suited to this land than their own.

A similar situation exists now, as the larger society becomes increasingly focused on divisions among segments of society, enforcement of political positions, wealth redistribution, and arrogation of power. Once again, it could learn a lot from common native practices and culture, such as collaborative and inclusive decision-making, respect for the wisdom of elders, sharing wealth, and commitment to the good of the community.

These latter values and practices are ingrained in the work of the Urban Indian Center, where modern medical practices are infused with the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits derived from community, preservation of culture, and inclusion. This preferable and holistic vision is part of the reason I’ve been glad to serve on the Center’s board for the past six years, and look forward to supporting it into the future.

Michael C. Walch, Board of Directors

Rochelle Moore is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington and Utah. She leads UICSL’s quality assurance and performance improvement team.

Rochelle has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit housing sector, mental health courts, and healthcare systems. She is a member of the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association; and she maintains an active private practice. This experience allows her to approach quality improvement and compliance with a unique perspective.

Rochelle received her undergraduate degree from University of Utah and her master’s degree from Antioch University in Seattle. She lives in Utah and enjoys climbing and hiking with her dog, Chip. She is proud to serve the Native American community and has been at the Center since 2020.

Read more about Rochelle Moore: September Employee Spotlight

2026 Walking In Harmony Hiking Series

This year’s hiking season started off with an oldie but goodie where we enjoyed the mountain air, tall trees and the shared love for Mother Earth. Our group started the series off with a popular family friendly hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We could not get enough of Donut Falls! We have not only strengthened our physical bodies but overall wellness by building resilience, reducing stress and boosting self-confidence. Hiking isn’t just exercise, it is Medicine that can strengthen the mind, body, emotions, and spirit all at once, we leave the trail full of Harmony.

Join us for our next Fitness Thursday activity with Medicine Basketball, be on the lookout for the new flier on all UICSL social media platforms.

UICSL Legacy Mural Sticker Campaign: September

Did you know we have a Legacy Mural Sticker Campaign going on here at UICSL? We have taken all of the original UICSL artwork from our main hall and made them into stickers. You can collect all 14 images! This month, we are highlighting Pediatrics at our Murray Clinic!

To claim your sticker:

• Schedule an appointment
• Attend/complete the appointment
• Visit the receptionist after your appointment to retrieve your monthly sticker!

If you'd like to learn more or speak with someone, give us a call at 801-486-4877.