How Tribes Provide Leadership and Learning for Public Health Approaches During Pandemic

Host Leah Lemm (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) is back exploring how
Indian Country in MN is responding and adapting to the current
pandemic health crisis.


On today’s show, Leah talks with Mariah Norwood (Cherokee Nation
of Oklahoma) who is the Infectious Disease American Indian
Liaison at the Minnesota Department of Health. Mariah Norwood is
also a J.D. Candidate at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and
has a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of
Oklahoma. 


 


Mariah explains how their passion for decolonizing public health,
advancing health equity, promoting Tribal data sovereignty, makes
them a fervent advocate for community-led change in the health
system. 


In our conversation, Mariah offers examples of how Tribal
approaches have led the way in caring for communities and
confronting the health crisis brought on by the pandemic.  


 


Mariah’s enthusiasm is inspiring, as they make the case for why
this all matters, and how Indigenous perspectives and practices
can positively impact public health care systems for Native and
non-Native people and communities. Miigwech, Mariah!


Listen to past COVID-19 Community Conversations here:
https://minnesotanativenews.org/category/community-conversations/