© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Text Campaign To Help Native Youths And Guardians Discuss Positive Sexuality And Relationships

Omar Lopez
/
Unsplash

A text messaging campaign has rolled out, that aims to promote sexual wellness for Indigenous youth across the region and beyond.

Called “Talking is Power”, the goal is to get parents, guardians, and trusted community role models to sign up for texts that’ll provide resources for having important conversations with their kids and other youth. Topics include consent, protection, HIV and STDs, and intimate partner violence.

Credit Fran / Unsplash
/
Unsplash

Michelle Singer is with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), one of the partners behind the text campaign.

“The effect and the reach of text messages can reach far and wide," she told KLCC.  "And that’s why text messaging is so popular in a lot of our native communities.”

Singer said so far, nearly 200 parents have signed up for the weekly text messages.

Federal data shows American Indians and Alaska Natives have a higher risk of sexually-transmitted infections and HIV than other groups.

Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content