Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Interview with Iya Affo on ‘Historical Trauma’ during a time of Covid-19, Black Lives Matter
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Only by understanding the root causes of historical trauma can we fully begin the healing process during this time of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter, said Iya Affo, founder of Heal Historic Trauma.
Affo, a culturalist and historic trauma specialist, addressed the impact of historical trauma during her first level of “Historical Trauma Special Certification” training held via Zoom on Aug. 20 and 24.
The training was presented to a total of 110 individuals, many of whom, represented staff, board members and supporters of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth. The attendees represented a variety of child welfare, behavioral health and other community agencies.
In June, CCC&Y agreed to partner with Heal Historical Trauma to become a historical trauma certified agency, which included providing training to the non-profit organization.
The most recent training included “Culture and the Explosion of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter,” “Historical Trauma including Colonization,” “Faces of Historical Trauma,” “Epigenetics,” “Social Determinants of Health,” “BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) Wellness and Structural Racisim” and “Healing.”
Following the session, CCC&Y conducted a Question & Answer interview with Affowho is also with Phoenix Rising in Residence (AZ). Here is that interview:
Flagstaff High School senior Alyssa Williams is just at the beginning of her graphic design career, but already she has notched two big wins — she was part of the pair who won the Vans Custom Culture Contest in 2019, and now her design has won the Code Talker Seal Design Contest that will be featured on an Arizona specialty license plate.
The contest was held in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations to design a seal to reflect the historical and unique contributions made by the Code Talkers of many different tribes across the United States.
The Code Talkers Seal Design Committee selected five designs based on artwork and an essay describing how the design honors all Code Talkers and how it has impacted them personally.
Williams’ design won with 61 percent of the 20,565 votes cast.
