Formed in 2008, the Let’s Talk Diversity Coalition was originally formed to work toward cultural knowledge and multicultural understanding within the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Jefferson County. More than 250 people have attended a series of workshops focused on cultural awareness and diversity provided by the Coalition. In 2011, the Coalition, with Bestcare Treatment services as fiscal agent, received a Regional Equity Coalition grant from the Oregon Health Authority. The goal is to develop policy changes to address inequities in education, transportation, recreation, job creation and other factors that influence the health and wellness in underrepresented populations. These include, but are not limited to people of color, people with fewer financial resources, LGBT communities, people living with disabilities and those with mental illness or addiction difficulties.
Coalition Objectives
- To create a Coalition of organization and community members who are committed to fostering equity and fairness within the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Jefferson County.
- To collect existing data on disparities in Jefferson County and Warm Springs, and to create assessments where none are available in order to assess community equity and fairness.
- To build capacity within the Coalition and the community through trainings, communication and relationship building to lead social justice and policy change in the region.
- To create a regional five year plan, which will change POLICY in the region to improve equity and well-being in our community.
Description of the Let’s Talk Diversity Logo:
The rain represents the renewal of life the rainbow represents our hopes, the feather with the wheat represents our different cultures in harmony under Mt. Jefferson. Our logo was designed by community member Jackie Estimo.