FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE – Chelby Archambeau has joined the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan as a project coordinator to support the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, Food Farmacy, and cancer prevention programs.
“I’m excited to be a part of so many helpful programs that promote healthy lifestyles and healthy living while also learning about my culture and history” said Chelby.
In her role, Chelby will assist to plan and implement specific program activities such as technical assistance, training, promotion of resources and opportunities. She’ll also support project outcomes to improve access to evidence based, culturally appropriate health education and chronic disease among federally recognized tribes in Michigan.
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, or REACH, is a CDC-funded program to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities or gaps. REACH program participants plan and carry out local, culturally appropriate programs. REACH programs use proven strategies to help improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities.
Chelby will coordinate the Healthy Native People Coalition which is internal and external stakeholders related to nutrition, physical activity, commercial tobacco prevention, and vaccine uptake. She will support the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan’s menthol program’s tribal youth tobacco coalition to educate, empower, and engage Native youth in efforts to reduce the use of menthol and other flavored commercial tobacco products among the ages 12-18.
Food Farmacy is a program supported by the Michigan Health Endowment fund to address high rates of nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity in Michigan’s Tribal communities. The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan will expand the Food Farmacy program to seven tribes, providing culturally appropriate produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and enhanced food access through tribal health centers. This initiative will enhance food sovereignty, increase access to fresh and traditional foods, strengthen community collaboration, and support advocacy for state and tribal policy changes to ensure long-term program sustainability.
Chelby will also be supporting Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan’s cancer prevention programs.
Chelby will be working out of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan’s central office in Sault Ste. Marie. Chelby comes to the agency from Sault Tribe’s Human Resource Department, and she had previously worked with the Bay Mills Indian Community’s Boys and Girls Club. She earned her associate’s degree in Small Business Management from Alpena Community College. Chelby is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and from Sault Ste. Marie. Chelby can be reached at chelby.archambeau@itcmi.org or 906-632-6896
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Chelby Archambeau is the new project coordinator for the REACH, Food Farmacy, and Cancer programs and located at the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan central office in Sault Ste. Marie. Contact: chelby.archambeau@itcmi.org
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH), DP-23-0014 funds 50 organizations in 32 states and the District of Columbia to carry out the program. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/reach/php/reach-2023-2028/index.html
Michigan Health Endowment Fund: Food Farmacy Program in American Indian Communities: https://mihealthfund.org/grant/food-farmacy-program-in-american-indian-communities-mi
The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation duly organized under a state charter filed April 16, 1968. The agency represents all twelve federally recognized tribes in Michigan. The agency is divided into several different divisions, including headstart; early headstart; health services; behavioral health; environmental services; child, family, and education services; and administration. The agency employs approximately 160 employees. 35 of these employees are based in the agency’s central office in Sault Ste. Marie, while member tribes have offices and staff on site. Visit https://www.itcmi.org/ to learn more about the agency.
Media Contact:
Mike Willette
Communication Specialist
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
906-632-6896 x.154
mwillette@itcmi.org