In this heart-centered conversation, Venus R. Evans—a Mi'kmaq and Maliseet leader in southeastern Kentucky—shares how quiet courage has guided her journey, from standing firm in her Indigenous identity to leaving a long marriage and leading grassroots organizing. She reflects on her grandmother's influence, the matriarchal roots of Indigenous community health, and the intertwined legacies of trauma, healing, and courage, while highlighting the Auntie Network, which unites and uplifts Indigenous women across Kentucky. This inspiring exchange reminds us that public health is as much about community, culture, and visibility as it is about clinics and data, and that courage often shows up as a steady, quiet presence at the table.

Meet Venus R. Evans

Venus R. Evans is a proud Tribal Citizen of the Mi'kmaq Nation, with ancestral roots in Presque Isle, Maine and the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Born and raised in London/Laurel County and currently residing in Corbin, Kentucky, she is a dedicated Indigenous advocate working to uplift Native voices and address systemic challenges facing Native communities in the Commonwealth.

She serves as Commissioner At Large for the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and is Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, where she formerly represented the Cumberland Chapter on the Steering Committee. Venus is also a former secretary of the Governors Interstate Indian Council and is the founder of The Auntie Network, a grassroots initiative focused on community care and cultural preservation.

A frequent speaker on Native American issues, Venus has participated in numerous panels across Kentucky and the U.S., championing Indigenous rights, cultural education, and representation.

Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast

Conversation Highlights

• Quiet Courage in Action — Venus reflects on the power of steady, quiet courage: showing up when no one is watching, holding her ground as a Mi'kmaq and Maliseet woman in spaces where her identity was often dismissed, and continuing to serve her community despite resistance.
• Roots of Strength — She honors her grandmother, who lost her First Nations status when she married outside her band yet persevered to raise her family in Appalachia—passing on both survival and courage to future generations.
• Creating the Auntie Network — Seeing the isolation of Indigenous women across Kentucky, Venus organized a monthly Zoom gathering to connect, support, and amplify one another—embodying the Auntie values: Advocate, Unite, Nurture, Teach, Include, and Elevate.
• Claiming Her Voice — Venus shares the personal courage it took to leave a decades-long marriage, confront dismissive health-care experiences, and speak openly about intergenerational trauma—reminding listeners that vulnerability is a strength.
• Public Health Beyond Charts and Clinics — She envisions a public health approach that reflects the values, language, and stories of Indigenous communities—where land return, cultural revitalization, and community visibility are as essential as disease prevention.

"Courage isn't just what we carry—it's what we pass on." — Venus R. Evans

Stay In Touch:

Email Venus Evans - [email protected]

Venus Evans on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/venus.evans.3

Venus Evans on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/v.evans606/

Venus Evans on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@venusevans606

Venus Evans on X - https://x.com/Evans1Venus

Email Dr. Kristi McClamroch - [email protected]

Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/

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