What does it take for Indigenous communities to lead their own response when disaster strikes?

In this episode, Linda Maynor Oxendine, North Carolina Area Manager at CORE and a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, shares how community-led preparedness can strengthen disaster response across Indian Country. She discusses CORE’s approach to arriving early, listening to trusted local leaders, and building long-term partnerships after disasters such as Hurricane Helene, as well as how Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training can prepare tribal staff, youth, nursing students, and families to respond safely before outside support arrives. Linda and Mario discuss why emergency preparedness must be culturally appropriate and guided by each tribe’s leadership, customs, and priorities. They also explore the importance of hiring locally, addressing public health challenges such as opioid overdoses and youth vaping, and helping healthcare professionals enter Indigenous communities with humility, kindness, and cultural sensitivity.

Tune in to learn how communities can build local capacity, protect vulnerable residents, and create disaster-response programs that are shaped by the people they serve.

Today’s Guest – Linda Maynor Oxendine

Linda Maynor Oxendine is the North Carolina Area Manager at CORE, where she oversees emergency response, preparedness, and health-access programs across the region. A citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, she leads a local team that supports the resilience of marginalized communities in Robeson County and Native American communities across Robeson, Scotland, and Hoke Counties.

CORE began working in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2018. Since then, Linda has helped expand its regional programming, providing critical support during natural disasters and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Her team brings experience across education, management, public health, nursing, military service, and industry, strengthening CORE’s ability to respond to community needs.

Linda designed and implemented the Teen CERT model, which has equipped more than 300 local youth ages 16–24 with emergency-response knowledge and practical skills. She has also helped develop a harm-reduction program supporting Native American communities disproportionately affected by drug misuse.

Resources

• Connect with Linda Maynor Oxendine on LinkedIn.

• Learn more about CORE, its disaster-response work, and community preparedness programs.

• Learn more about Tribal Health.

  
  

About CORE

Founded in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a global humanitarian organization that empowers underserved communities in and beyond crisis. CORE’s community-powered approach is informed and driven by local needs. When crisis strikes, CORE listens, learns, and acts—quickly filling critical gaps, mobilizing resources, and developing long-term recovery solutions. With equity at the center of its work, CORE provides critical relief to marginalized and vulnerable communities around the world, from those impacted by conflict in Ukraine and Sudan to communities recovering from hurricanes and other disasters across the U.S. and beyond.

Currently, CORE is working alongside the Wayuu Taya Foundation and Acceso to support communities impacted by back-to-back earthquakes near Caracas, Venezuela. In addition to delivering emergency food, clean water, and hygiene kits, teams are clearing debris, providing critical shelter support, and making essential repairs to help families return home as quickly and safely as possible. To learn more and support CORE’s Todos con Venezuela (“All with Venezuela”) campaign, please visit: https://tiltify.com/core/ven-relief

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 Native communities, public health organizations, and incarcerated individuals have shaped her understanding of FASD and its lifelong impact on individuals, families, and communities. Carolyn explains why both mothers and fathers play a critical role in healthy pregnancies, highlighting emerging research on paternal alcohol use and the importance of prevention before conception. She also discusses how healing from addiction requires addressing deeper emotional and spiritual needs through community, culture, and long-term support rather than focusing solely on sobriety.

Listen to learn why prevention, education, and healing are essential to breaking the cycle of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for future generations.

Key Takeaways

• There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, making prevention the most effective way to eliminate fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder affects people across every community and culture, not just specific populations.

• Fathers have an important role in healthy pregnancies, and alcohol use before conception may affect fetal development.

• Recovery from addiction requires healing underlying trauma and fostering emotional, cultural, and spiritual well-being, not just stopping substance use.

• Education, compassion, and community support can change the trajectory of future generations by preventing FASD and helping affected individuals thrive.

Resources

• Connect with and follow Carolyn Hartness on LinkedIn or reach out via email.

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out via email.

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 shaped her commitment to Indigenous communities. She discusses her decision to return home to Tucson to give back to her community through youth development, coaching, and community engagement after gaining leadership experience across Arizona. Mariah also examines the devastating impact that healthcare service closures could have on tribal communities, particularly for patients facing transportation, financial, and access barriers. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the systemic inequities embedded in healthcare and advocates for more culturally responsive, community-centered approaches to care.

Tune in as Mariah Zavala shares her inspiring journey back to her community and offers a powerful perspective on Indigenous leadership, healthcare inequities, and the importance of giving back!

Resources

• Connect with and follow Mariah Zavala on LinkedIn.

• Visit the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission website!

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out via email.

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 culturally grounded tribal prevention initiatives. She explains how programs that reconnect youth with language, ceremony, and identity are reshaping long-term health outcomes. She also reflects on the systemic challenges of funding prevention work and why meaningful change requires a shift toward protective, community-led approaches.

Tune in to hear how cultural connection is transforming the future of prevention and healing in Indigenous communities. 

Resources

• Connect with and follow Barbara Bessette on LinkedIn.

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 counseling. He shares how Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Department of Indigenous Cancer Health collaborate with tribal nations and urban Indigenous organizations to close gaps through patient navigation, stronger referral pathways, and better coordination across healthcare systems. Billy also discusses how some cancer diagnoses require patients to travel far beyond major urban hospitals to access the right specialists, while chronic underfunding limits what urban Indian organizations can realistically provide. He emphasizes that improving how healthcare services are promoted online can be a practical and impactful first step toward increasing access without requiring major new funding.

Tune in to hear how Billy is building the research and policy case for a more connected, accessible cancer care system for Indigenous communities.

Resources

• Connect with William “Billy” Carson on LinkedIn.

• Follow Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health on LinkedIn or visit the website here.

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 management, highlighting the lack of metrics, poor facility hours, and minimal member engagement in many wellness centers. Fiander emphasizes that true wellness starts with human connection, consistent follow-up, and the creation of environments where people feel seen and supported. Ultimately, he calls for a shift from checking the box to running wellness facilities like high-performing businesses that actively drive health outcomes.

Tune in to hear how Orien Fiander is challenging the status quo and rebuilding community wellness from the inside out!

Today's Guest - Orien Fiander

Orien Fiander is the Founder and CEO of Native Fitness. Orien is an enrolled member of the Grand Ronde Tribe in Oregon. He grew up most of his life on the Yakama Reservation with a few years on the Nez Perce Reservation. A successful entrepreneur, former division 1 athlete, husband of 24 years and counting, father of 6 and a weekend “anything outside” warrior! Traveling throughout Indian Country, OJ saw that the need was real, not only in his own family, but also from Reservation to Reservation showing almost exactly the same challenges despite different geographic locations. With over 21 years of experience owning a successful chain of health clubs along with setting up 1000’s of facilities with exercise equipment, OJ felt with his expertise and experience it was time to give back and launched NativeFitness.org.

Key Takeaways

• Most wellness facilities fail due to poor operations, not lack of funding.

• Many centers lack basic performance metrics, making success impossible to measure.

• Facility hours often don’t align with real user behavior, limiting engagement.

• Human connection, like greeting members by name, is foundational to wellness.

• Staff training, SOPs, and accountability systems are critical for success.

• Preventative health is undervalued compared to reactive care.

• Targeted outreach, especially to key influencers such as mothers, can drive stronger community health outcomes.

Resources

• Connect with and follow Orien Fiander on LinkedIn and Instagram.
• Follow Native Fitness on LinkedIn and visit their website.
• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 settings, and why the travel schedule can create a healthier rhythm for both providers and patients. She also talks about what continuity of care can look like in the emergency room in underserved communities, the realities of harsh winters and limited resources, and why hope and teamwork matter most when caring for patients facing addiction and other long-term challenges.

Listen to hear what makes Tribal Health work meaningful, and why Dr. Missak believes this care model can be a strong fit for clinicians who want purpose, adventure, and community impact.

Resources

• Connect with and follow Johanna Missak on LinkedIn.

• Follow Tribal Health on LinkedIn!

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 Into Medicine (INMED) program and other Native-focused pathways are increasing the number of Indigenous physicians, nurses, and behavioral health professionals nationwide. She explains the importance of culturally informed training, reducing financial barriers for medical students, and expanding residency opportunities. She also reflects on why so many Native graduates feel called to return home and serve their communities.

Listen to hear how culturally grounded education and courageous conversations are helping transform healthcare for Indigenous communities.

Resources

• Connect with and follow Laine Lyons on LinkedIn.

• Follow the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation on LinkedIn and visit their website!

• Learn more about the Indians into Medicine Program (INMED) here!

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 those gaps. She explains how Hawaiʻi’s geography forces many residents, especially on rural and outer islands, to travel by air for trauma care, specialty services, and even routine preventive screenings. Donna also unpacks the Native Hawaiian Healthcare Improvement Act, highlighting how community-based systems and scholarship programs are building a Native Hawaiian primary care workforce rooted in service and leadership. She shares how integrating traditional practices like hula, lomi lomi, and ʻike kupuna with Western medicine is improving chronic disease outcomes while strengthening cultural identity and community trust.

Listen to learn how Hawaiʻi is reimagining healthcare through culture, prevention, and resilience.

Resources

• Connect with and follow Donna Palakiko on LinkedIn.

• Follow the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa on LinkedIn and discover their website!

• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to [email protected]

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 pandemic revealed deep healthcare disparities, from limited water access to overcrowded homes, that fueled severe infection and mortality rates. She recalls how frontline efforts, community resilience, and critical partnerships, including Direct Relief’s hand-delivered support, helped the Nation during its most urgent moments. Now, she focuses on expanding national humanitarian support in Indian Country, emphasizing sovereignty, strong relationships, and community-specific solutions.

Tune in and learn how collaboration, cultural understanding, and community-driven leadership can transform health outcomes in Indian Country!

Resources

• Connect with and follow Kimberly Dutcher on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Direct Relief on LinkedIn and explore their website.
• If you have questions about Tribal Health, please contact [email protected]