Successful Vaccine Rollouts for Tribes and Community Clinics Serving Native People

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, we celebrate successful vaccine rollouts in
Indian Country!  And we hear from two dedicated health care
professionals about their experiences providing good medicine to
community members throughout the pandemic. 


 


Dr. Angela Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe) is a
Pediatrician and Laz Carreon, RN, heads the COVID team at the
Indian Health Board (IHB) of Minneapolis. Dr. Erdrich and Laz
speak about the yearlong challenges brought on by the pandemic,
and now, how the vaccine rollout is being received by the
community members the IHB serves. 


 


Dr. Erdrich shares many resources and recommendations, including
information about the extra protection offered by KN95 masks. Laz
Carreon describes the deep emotions and relief felt by both staff
and community members as vaccines are being administered. 


 


We also hear from White Earth Nation, Chairman Michael Fairbanks,
who proudly shares the wonderful news that more than 87% of their
elders have now been fully vaccinated!


 


Plus, tag along with Leah and her spouse Daniel as they receive
their first dose of vaccine, thanks to Leech Lake Tribal Health
in partnership with Indian Health Service. Now that all the
elders and healthcare workers have been offered vaccines, the
tribe is now reaching out to tribal and community members who are
18 and up.


 


We listen in as Leah and Daniel reflect on finally arriving at
this hopeful and historic moment, as so many have faced loss and
hardship over the past year. 


 


You can find the information Dr. Erdrich and Laz Carreon spoke
about, here on our website:
https://minnesotanativenews.org/health/ 


 


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