Tribal Health the Podcast

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is entirely preventable, yet its effects can last for generations. In this episode, Carolyn Hartness, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Educator and Reentry Consultant, talks about preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) through education, shared responsibility, and compassionate, culturally grounded support. She reflects on how decades of working with Na...

What happens when healthcare systems prioritize efficiency over humanity—and entire tribal communities are left without critical services? In this episode, Mariah Zavala, Chair of the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission, shares her journey as a Pascua Yaqui, Oaxacan, Puerto Rican, and Mexican leader whose experiences as a first-generation college graduate and public health professional have sh...

Culture isn’t an “add-on” to prevention; it’s the intervention. In this episode, Barbara Bessette, a prevention specialist and tribal liaison working in Indigenous health and community prevention across Montana, discusses the role of culture in healing from substance use and trauma and in strengthening community resilience. She shares how her career evolved from college health prevention work into...

What if the biggest barrier to cancer prevention in Indigenous communities isn’t awareness, but how disconnected our systems are? In this episode, William “Billy” Carson, a postdoctoral researcher at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, explains the barriers Indigenous patients face throughout the cancer care continuum, from prevention and screening to specialty treatment and genetic counseli...

What if the real reason wellness programs fail isn’t funding, but how they’re run? In this episode, Orien Fiander, Founder and CEO of Native Fitness, shares how his organization is working to transform wellness in tribal communities by focusing not just on equipment, but on operations, accountability, and community engagement. He argues that the biggest issue isn’t funding, but ineffective managem...

Serving in rural and Tribal communities takes clinical skill, flexibility, and a lot of heart.  In this episode, Mario Trujillo sits down with Dr. Johanna Missak, a family medicine physician who has spent nearly eight years supporting Tribal Health facilities across the Great Plains. Dr. Missak shares how she moved from rural family practice and military service into emergency medicine work in IHS...

Building trust in healthcare starts with representation, culture, and community. In this episode, Laine Lyons, Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation, talks about advancing Indigenous healthcare education through fundraising and partnership development. She shares how UND’s nationally recognized Indians Int...

Paradise hides some of the most complex challenges in healthcare access in the U.S. In this episode, Donna Palakiko, a Native Hawaiian health strategist, community researcher, and Assistant Professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, talks about the unique healthcare challenges facing Hawaiʻi’s island communities and how culturally grounded, prevention-focused models are working to close thos...

Indigenous healthcare needs vary significantly across regions, making tailored support essential for achieving a lasting impact. In this episode, Kimberly Dutcher, Government Relations Advisor at Direct Relief, shares her unexpected path into government relations, which was shaped by her work as Deputy Attorney General for the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains how the pandem...

Trust is the foundation of healing, and empowering the next generation of providers is key to ensuring equitable care in Indigenous communities. In the final episode of this three-part series, Sherese Ezelle, a distinguished therapist and advocate Sherese Ezelle discusses how advocacy, mentorship, and accessible resources can inspire Indigenous youth to pursue healthcare careers and strengthen com...

Healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens in community. In this episode, Sherese Ezelle, a therapist and advocate for culturally-grounded care, shows how blending traditional practices with modern approaches supports healing for Native communities. She highlights community-driven initiatives and emphasizes cultural humility, reframing Indigenous healing as a story of resilience and collective...

Echoes and Embers: A Native Journey Through Holistic Healing Part 1: The Mental Health Crisis: Understanding Disparities Through Data Trust built through culturally sensitive care is the gateway to healing Indigenous communities facing a mental health crisis. In this episode, Sherese Ezelle, a licensed therapist and behavioral health leader, examines how intergenerational trauma, systemic racism,...

What does it take to blend evidence-based therapy with cultural sensitivity to truly heal communities? In this episode, Sherese Ezelle, a licensed mental health counselor and National Certified Counselor, shares how she blends evidence-based practices with cultural sensitivity to empower underserved and Indigenous communities. Through her EmpowerED Youth program and work with families, she emphasi...

What if healing meant more than just medicine? What if it meant reconnecting with culture, land, and spirit? In this episode, Quanah Yellow Cloud, a mental health practitioner from the Oglala Lakota Nation, shares his vision for blending Indigenous healing practices with modern psychiatric care. He advocates for cultural humility, community engagement, and a relational approach that sees patients...

Earning trust in Indigenous communities is not a given; it is a privilege earned through humility, cultural respect, and deep listening. In this conversation, Dr. Kelly Hallman unpacks how systemic inequalities, historical traumas, and gender-based disparities shape Indigenous health today. She discusses the mental health crisis among Native youth, the importance of culturally sensitive care, and...

Bridging the health equity gap for tribal nations demands culturally tailored strategies, better representation in research, and rebuilding trust.  In this episode, Roxanne Alaniz highlights the critical underrepresentation of Native Americans in clinical research, stemming from issues like limited access, historical mistrust from past unethical studies, and cultural factors influencing health-see...

What happens when sobriety journeys meet cultural practices? The result: a profound transformation that fosters trust, community, and spiritual grounding. In this episode, Gilbert Isaaca, a certified drug and alcohol counselor, and Mark Foster, a certified Wellbriety Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps facilitator, discuss the importance of culturally sensitive addiction treatment within Native American c...

What if the key to improving health outcomes in Indigenous communities is simply having more Indigenous voices in the room? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Misty Wilkie, a clinical associate professor, Director & Mentor for the Pathway to Doctoral Education for AI/AN Nurses, and Inaugural Director of the Center of Indigenous People, Health, and Nursing at the University of Minnesota School of...

Meet Janice Briones-Landeros, Healthcare Operations Director for United American Indian Involvement (UAII)! In this episode, she talks to us about her journey from for-profit healthcare to leading LA County’s only urban Indian organization. She explores UAII’s 51-year legacy and its comprehensive “one-stop shop” model, which provides medical, dental, behavioral, youth, housing, and workforce servi...

Can traditional Indigenous foods and cultural practices improve community well-being? That's the focus of Rose Bear Don't Walk, a PhD candidate in Indigenous and Rural Health at Montana State University who is a health equity analyst and Account Manager at Indigenous Pact. Rose talked to us about her work with traditional Indigenous foods, healthcare equity, and holistic wellness. Growing...

Social determinants of health - they have everything to do with improving overall health outcomes but addressing them requires a nuanced touch. In this episode, Douglas Olivo, Director of Community Engagement (SDOH), Telehealth, and Rural Care at Centene’s Oklahoma Complete Health, talks to us about the challenges and opportunities in providing healthcare to Oklahoma's Tribal members. He highl...

On our new episode of the Tribal Health Podcast, we talk about something we haven't before: health education materials! Designer Alicia Edwards, owner of Turtle Island Media Group, talked to us about Indigenizing health education materials for Tribal communities. Seeing yourself in websites, guides, and other materials can inspire engagement and positive behavior change - and Alicia has put he...

What if the key to solving health disparities isn’t in treating the symptoms but in transforming the very foundation of our communities? In this episode, Kristal Popp, social epidemiologist, emphasizes addressing the root causes of health disparities, such as structural racism and socioeconomic inequities, rather than focusing solely on health outcomes. She highlights how institutional, personally...

Mobile cancer treatment centers are an innovative solution for Tribal communities facing significant barriers to care. In this episode, Kellen Polingyumptewa, manager of Hopi Cancer Support Services, discusses the challenges faced by the Hopi tribe in accessing cancer treatment, including the lack of local facilities. These are challenges common to many rural and Native communities - and Kellen ta...

Did you know Native Americans face the highest rates of untreated dental issues in the U.S, with children experiencing four times more tooth decay than their peers? Mallory Miles-Lee, Tribal Liaison and Outreach Specialist with SunLife DentaQuest, talked to us about the severe dental crisis affecting Native American communities. Some of the problems: poverty and inadequate access to care contribut...