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

On October 26, 2026, we held our Town Hall Gathering with community members to create space for open conversations, questions, and ideas about the future of our community. We discussed the redevelopment of our historic, 52-year-old Salt Lake City community center and our new housing development project, including what the future of UICSL could look like. We also welcomed the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City (HASLC) to be part of the conversation, helping answer questions and provide support as community members shared their thoughts and concerns. It was an opportunity to hear directly from the people these projects impact.

We know these are challenging times, and it is important that we continue to support one another and work together as a community. We are committed to being transparent throughout this process and making sure community members have opportunities to ask questions, share concerns, and be part of the conversation. The future of our community should not be decided without the voices of the people who make it what it is. Those voices matter in shaping what we build for the generations to come.

UICSL leadership and board members recently attended the NAACP Salt Lake 108th Annual Life Membership and Freedom Fund Banquet on October 30. As a 2025 recipient of the Albert B. Fritz Civil Rights Award, UICSL was proud to be part of this event and an organization that recognizes and celebrates the work of others who are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. We are honored to be among those who share in this important work and look forward to continuing to support these efforts in our community.

Our annual Boo to the Flu event brought together wellness, safety, and community in one fun-filled evening. We opened our doors to the public and welcomed families and community members to join us for an evening of flu vaccinations, trick-or-treating, costumes, games, and plenty of candy. Along with creating a space for families to celebrate Halloween, the event gave community members an opportunity to receive their flu vaccinations and take an extra step toward protecting themselves and those around them during flu season. We wanted to make health resources more accessible while creating an environment where people could come together, have fun, and feel welcomed.

The event was also a great opportunity for our employees to connect with the community in a different setting. Being able to interact with families, enjoy the event, and take part in the activities helped build familiarity and stronger connections outside of our everyday work. It gave our employees a chance to spend time with the people we serve while sharing in something fun and positive. We hope to continue creating opportunities like this that bring people through our doors, encourage community participation, and support the health and safety of our community throughout the year.

Our Diné Bizaad course has officially completed another 30-week program, and we are proud of how much it has grown since it first began in 2024. The program was originally supported and facilitated by our Director of Clinical Operations, Craig Sandoval, alongside our Elder, Rose Jakub. As the program continued, Clarissa Yazzie joined to support the remaining years and has continued to lead the learning experience up to today. What started as a class with up to 20 participants has grown into a program that now sees anywhere from 30 to 70 participants throughout the 30 weeks. Seeing this growth has been a reminder of how important it is for our community to have opportunities to learn, practice, and stay connected to our language.

We are especially appreciative of Clarissa and the time she has put into making this program what it is today. Her approach goes beyond traditional lessons and call-and-response learning. She brings our language into everyday activities and teaches us how to use it in our daily movements, whether that is setting the table, preparing a meal, doing laundry, or other things we do throughout the day. These lessons give participants the chance to connect language with everyday life rather than only learning words in a classroom setting. We appreciate the effort she has put into creating a space where our language and traditions can continue to be shared, practiced, and passed down to the next generations.

Thank you to our strong and brave community who came out to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day 5K, to honor the past, present, and future of Native peoples, for reflection on sacred legacy and strong resilience. This year’s event once again offered connection with sacred protected lands along the Jordan River, home to a 252 acre preserve that protects ancient tribal territories.

Unforgettable moments had to be the moisture we received while walkers and runners were finishing up. There was rain, there was sunshine, there were smiles and there was supporting cheers!

Thank you to everyone who supported, volunteered, organized, ran, or cheered. Your energy and dedication remind us why we do what we do and inspire us to keep moving forward together.

On October 6, the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake welcomed 23 medical students and two staff members from the University of Utah for a site visit and hands-on learning experience focused on Native plant teachings and the cultural significance of sage. The afternoon included a sage bundling activity, where students learned about the role sage plays in Native communities, its traditional uses, and the importance of understanding the cultural practices and teachings connected to the plants used by the communities we serve.

As part of the activity, students helped bundle sage that will be shared with relatives who come to UICSL seeking cultural support. This gave students an opportunity to take part in something directly connected to the services and support provided at the Center while learning more about the importance of making space for cultural practices in healthcare. With 23 future medical professionals participating, the visit offered an opportunity to connect what they are learning in the classroom with the people, traditions, and communities they may serve in their future work.