American Indian and Alaska Native tribes have a history of trauma, and to this day are still marginalized in a multitude of ways in the United States. The California Rural Indian Health Board is a program aimed at enhancing the public health status of these demographic groups, and our guest today has been working passionately for this cause for the past 3 years.

Alejandra Cabrera coordinates projects which deal with monitoring health status in tribal communities and developing culturally appropriate health services. The main project she has been involved with is helping these communities respond to the opioid epidemic. Alejandra stresses the importance of building trust, and using a “for the community, by the community” approach.

In today’s episode you’ll also hear how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the work that Alejandra does, and what the next phases of her inspiring project are going to look like.