Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Jim Warne. Jim wears many hats, including those of educator, advocate, motivational speaker, and an Emmy-nominatedfilmmaker. He’s created continuing Education programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015, has written over 50 million in grants and contracts for universities and Tribal Nations and is currently the Community Engagement Director at University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, Oyáte Circle Sanford School of Medicine. During this episode, Jim draws on his own personal experience of growing up with a father living with MS to discuss several topics including using correct terminology when referring to individuals living with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to his Lakota heritage, and the barriers that Tribal Nations still face when trying to obtain legislative support. 

To learn more about the Oglala Sioux Tribe, you can checkout their website here: Oglala Lakota Nation

To view Jim’s Emmy-nominated short film “Oyáte un Itówapi” you can do so by clicking here: Oyáte un Itówapi and to view his other short film “Remember the Children” you can do so by clicking here: Remember the Children

For a full list of resources and to listen to our previous episodes, please visit: The Black Feathers Podcast

In this episode, hosts Crystal, Shauna, and this week’s guest Krista Fincher, speak to us regarding her personal journey with her children and their experience in navigating learning disabilities and anxiety. Krista is a Choctaw tribal member, a wife, mother of two and works as the Director for Chi Hullo Li, a residential treatment center for women. All three women hope this episode and the materials discussed help provide more insight into the early signs of learning disabilities, the challenges of getting specialized education services through school, and the self-esteem and anxiety issues that arise from having learning disabilities.

To learn more about Chi Hullo Li, please visit: chihulloli.com 
For the full list of resources, please visit: blackfeathers.org

In episode three, Black Feathers hosts Crystal and Shauna, along with guest Miranda Carman, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a clinical social worker who’s also a passionate advocate for children with autism and their families, will discuss Miranda’s own personal experience caring for her son with autism and the challenges they faced as a family with trying to get a clear diagnosis from physicians within the Tribal community. All three women hope this episode and the resources provided, help shed light on the early signs of autism, emphasize the importance of parental advocacy for children with autism, and the importance of culturally rooted services and treatment.

For the full list of resources, please visit: blackfeathers.org

Black Feathers’ hosts Crystal and Shauna discuss the importance of mental health with Johnna James, citizen of Chickasaw Nation, who will talk about her family’s journey with disability, mental health and suicide. If you are having a mental health crisis please visit 988 Crisis Lifeline or call 988.  For additional resources visit blackfeathers.org

In this episode, co-hosts Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, and Shauna Humphries, MS, LPC, will welcome listeners to Black Feathers Podcast.  In this podcast we will discuss disability-related topics of interest to Tribal communities through data, storytelling, and innovative content. Crystal and Shauna will share their own families stories with disability and how that motivated them to improve family access to resources and remove barriers for all.  Thank you for joining us and remember together, we are stronger and it is the roots that bind us and that none of us walk alone.