On today’s show, Leah focuses on people who are highlighting stories of strength and healing, even during the difficult times brought on by the pandemic. 

We hear from Melissa Walls, Ph.D. (Bois Forte and Couchiching First Nation Anishinaabe), who recently helped launch a virtual program called Indigenous Stories of Strength, which showcases stories in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Melissa Walls is the Director of the Great Lakes Hub for the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health and associate professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

We also hear from Christine Diindiisi McCleave, M.A. (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), who is the Chief Executive Officer for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. Christine Diindiisi McCleave shares how the organization adapted to the pandemic and is supporting boarding school survivors and descendants with loving care packages.

And finally, we revisit an inspiring conversation with addiction specialist Sharyl Whitehawk (Lac Courte de Oreilles Ojibwe), who makes the critical connection between caring for oneself to be able to be of service to others.

Indigenous Stories of Strength: A Virtual Showcase https://indigenousstrengths.com/

National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition https://boardingschoolhealing.org/