The American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) is a native-led non-profit organization established in 2010 with a mission to eliminate the cancer burdens for American Indians and Alaska Natives (Al/AN) people through prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivor support. We imagine a world where cancer is no longer the leading cause of death for Native people.
A critical gap existed in cancer advocacy efforts for native communities highlighting a need for culturally sound and targeted approaches. Additionally, Al/AN data is often excluded from cancer research, creating a blind spot for the specific health needs of our communities. Our founders recognized these gaps and ACIAF emerged to focus on the unique cancer challenges faced by Al/ANs.
AICAF empowers Native communities by fostering a sense of ownership over solutions grounded in their wisdom. We provide support to facilitate this process, backing innovative, community-based interventions that engage our people in discovering their own cancer best practices. This collaborative approach has positioned AICAF as a trusted partner and resource.
AICAF’s mission is achieved by highlighting the specific challenges and solutions regarding Al/AN cancer burdens, providing training, technical assistance, and resources to empower communities, and identifying and backing Al/AN-led solutions to overcome cancer control challenges.
AICAF is a conduit of information and facilitates connections between tribal governments, federal/state/regional governments, and community groups through culturally-responsive projects.
Cancer is the leading cause of death for Al/AN women and second for men. Achieving better health outcomes requires addressing these deeply rooted issues and the corresponding disparities such as:
Understanding these factors is vital for appreciating the critical role AICAF plays. Our focus on culturally appropriate programs, community engagement, and collaboration with tribal partners directly addresses the specific needs and challenges faced in our fight against cancer.
Please note that AICAF’s role is to empower communities through prevention, early detection, and advocacy, and we are unable to provide financial assistance to cancer patients or their families. We encourage individuals to seek support from organizations specializing in patient care and financial assistance, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation, whose National Financial Resource Directory can help patients find assistance.
AICAF’s Prevention & Policy Program seeks to engage, educate, and empower Al/AN communities in the implementation of healthy lifestyle practices that help reduce cancer burdens. We work with tribes and Al/AN organizations to support these practices through tribal resolutions and policies.
We utilize culturally appropriate resources to engage community members and stakeholders to create Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change in communities, and we also offer training and technical assistance to Al/AN communities and organizations.
AICAF’s Research Program works with communities to identify research questions, methods, and funding opportunities that align with community needs and priorities. Our team supports the collection and use of population-specific data, aiming to find culturally relevant health solutions that are both effective and resonate within our unique communities. We prioritize appropriate dissemination of results, so all our communities have access to the information that is most relevant and useful to their efforts to improve their health and wellbeing.
The Evaluation Program supports the work of all AICAF teams and programs, providing insight on how to improve our efforts and better serve tribal communities. It establishes and monitors program outputs, outcomes, benchmarks, and success stories. The evaluation team accomplishes this through the use of logic models, evaluation plans, and reports that are shared with our communities.
AICAF’s Cancer Equity Program aims to reduce the cancer burdens on Native people by increasing cancer screening and early detection rates across Indian Country. Program staff focus their efforts on raising awareness of many common cancers faced by Indigenous people through: cancer awareness campaigns that promote screening, culturally tailored resources, cancer coalitions, trainings, and media tools, community education and outreach activities, and collaboration with clinics to help build capacity and improve tribal health systems.
While it is our mission to eliminate all types of illness in our communities, AICAF prioritizes the cancers that are most prevalent among Al/AN people. The team centers most projects around these topics: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and oral cancers, and HPV immunization.
Tobacco work is embedded into all of AICAF’s programs and projects. AICAF’s work is guided by our cultures and teachings, which include our sacred traditional tobacco. We acknowledge and honor that traditional tobacco is a gift from Creator, and many communities use it in a traditional way.
Mainstream evidence-based commercial tobacco control interventions often do not produce the same results for Indigenous people. Comprehensive strategies rooted in knowledge of customs, cultural traditions, and ways of knowing are proving to be promising practices for elevating the health of American Indian people. AICAF works with advocates across Indian Country to restore traditional tobacco practices, to reduce commercial tobacco abuse like cigarette smoking, and to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.
Explore our page on screenable cancers, and talk with your provider about what cancer screening options are right for you.
Sign up to join our community and receive the latest AICAF news, events and resources.
This is the most straightforward way to support AICAF’s work. You can make a one-time or recurring donation by visiting our donation page.
Every year, AICAF hosts Powwow for Hope, a nationwide fundraiser for American Indian Cancer Foundation that leads to a community event held in Minneapolis, MN, where hundreds come together to honor loved ones who have faced or are currently facing cancer by creating a space for healing. We welcome you to attend this event and consider volunteering as well. Sign up for our newsletter for more information.
You can organize a fundraiser in your community to raise awareness and support for AICAF’s mission.
Help raise awareness about cancer prevention and screening in Native American communities by sharing AICAF’s resources and information on social media or with your network.
You can advocate for policies that address the social determinants of health impacting cancer disparities in Al/AN communities. This might involve contacting your elected representatives or supporting relevant legislation.
Cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native (Al/AN) communities are influenced by several interrelated factors:
Higher poverty rates and limited access to healthcare services contribute to disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Many Al/AN communities are located in rural or remote areas, making access to healthcare facilities and specialized cancer care challenging.
Limited availability of healthcare providers, particularly specialists, and lower rates of health insurance coverage can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, IHS funding per capita for Native Americans is significantly lower than funding for the general population. This disparity has profound implications for the health and well-being of Native American communities.
Cultural differences and historical mistrust of healthcare systems can lead to lower participation in preventive care and screenings. Language barriers and lack of culturally competent care also play a role.
Higher rates of tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity in some Al/AN populations increase the risk of cancer. Alcohol use and dietary factors may also contribute.
Exposure to environmental carcinogens, such as pollution and hazardous materials, can be higher in certain Al/AN communities.
Variations in the quality of healthcare services received, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment, can affect cancer outcomes.
Lack of awareness about cancer risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of early detection and screening can result in later-stage diagnoses.
Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving healthcare access, providing culturally competent care, enhancing education and awareness, and addressing socioeconomic and environmental factors.
Culture plays a pivotal role in cancer prevention and treatment among Al/AN communities. Traditional healing practices, deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, offer complementary approaches to Western medicine. Incorporating these practices can enhance overall well-being and potentially improve treatment outcomes.
Furthermore, understanding Al/AN perspectives on health and illness is crucial. These beliefs shape how individuals perceive cancer, seek care, and respond to treatment. Culturally competent care that respects these perspectives is essential for building trust and effective patient-provider relationships. Addressing historical trauma and systemic inequities, often embedded in cultural experiences, is vital for cancer prevention and control. By acknowledging the impact of these factors on health outcomes, healthcare providers can create a supportive environment that fosters open communication and encourages early detection and screening.
Ultimately, integrating cultural elements into cancer care can empower Al/AN individuals, leading to improved quality of life and increased cancer survival rates.
At AICAF, we believe in the inherent knowledge and strengths of our communities. Rather than imposing our own agendas, we engage with communities by meeting them where they are and supporting them in ways they request. This approach respects their autonomy and builds on their existing best practices, particularly in cancer prevention and survivorship.
We often act as a conduit between health systems and Al/AN communities, facilitating better communication and collaboration. This not only enhances the effectiveness of health interventions but also helps build trust between health systems and the Al/AN populations they serve. Trust is crucial for the successful implementation of any health initiative, and our role is to foster this trust through consistent, respectful, and culturally-sensitive engagement.
AICAF has a long-standing commitment to supporting innovative community interventions. By empowering communities with the resources and flexibility they need, we help them tailor their outreach and education efforts to fit their unique cultural contexts. This includes providing unrestricted funding for community-specific programs and events, which has proven to be effective in increasing participation and engagement.
We emphasize the importance of data in driving innovation and improvement. Our framework includes rigorous evaluation and analysis of past initiatives to identify what works best. This data-driven approach ensures that we are continually learning and adapting to meet the evolving needs of our communities. For example, despite the existence of general frameworks like those from other cancer advocacy organizations, our dedication to the specific needs of native populations allows us to address the concerning trend of worsening cancer outcomes among our communities.
Our principles of community empowerment, trust-building, and data-driven innovation are fundamental to fostering education and improving health outcomes. By respecting and supporting the knowledge within our communities, we can create effective, sustainable health interventions that lead to better cancer prevention and care.
AICAF stands apart in the field by prioritizing culturally relevant care in partnership with health systems. We recognize the challenges Al/AN communities face in recruiting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals, which can hinder access to services for our people. A lack of culturally competent care providers often creates discomfort or misunderstanding.
To address this, AICAF bridges the gap by building trust and offering culturally relevant programs. We distinguish ourselves by adopting a strengths-based approach, tailoring programs to leverage a community’s existing skills and resources, thus maximizing impact.
In addition, as a Native nonprofit, we prioritize knowledge sharing, storytelling, and advocacy. We strive to inspire others in the field by openly discussing our successes and failures, fostering authenticity and vulnerability. Through these efforts, we not only deliver impactful programs but also contribute to the broader conversation on culturally relevant healthcare and advocate for its importance in improving health outcomes for Al/AN communities.
We are proud to see how empowering communities to address their needs not only raises awareness but also fosters a sense of ownership and action around critical health issues.
AICAF is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, our work and team members are spread across Indian Country, allowing us to have a wider reach and better serve our communities.
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