Indigenous cancer researcher to give campus presentation

Native American Heritage Month will feature an address, “Restoring Educational Balance in Pandemic Times using an Indigenous Framework,” by Associate Professor of Oncology Rodney C. Haring, who is director of the Center for Indigenous Cancer Research (CICR) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The talk is slated for the Garden at Reed on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 2 p.m., at Reed Library on campus.

An enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Beaver Clan, Dr. Haring also serves in the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement and the Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, both at Roswell. He applies the traditions and values of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people to his work.

After graduate school, Haring embarked on a 15-year career as a social worker, serving indigenous communities on health and disparities issues. He has a Ph.D. in Social Work/Social Welfare and a M.S.W., both from the University at Buffalo.

CICR was established at Roswell in 2020 to focus on reducing cancer’s impact on indigenous communities in North America and elsewhere. Indigenous communities face some of the greatest cancer health disparities, higher mortality rates and persistent challenges in health equity.

During the month, the library will host displays that recognize Native American graduates of Fredonia Normal School and include Holland Land Company documents, cultural artwork and methods and resources for genealogy research.

Haring’s presentation is free and open to the public.