Keeping Track of COVID Testing and Treatment in Indian Country

Host Leah Lemm explores how Indian Country in MN is responding and
adapting to the current pandemic health crisis. On this show, we
hear some nuts and bolts about COVID testing in Indian Country and
current challenges our relatives face in getting treatment. And
Leah looks at ways we embrace a healthy lifestyle while keeping an
eye on our communities. Leah catches up with Dani Pieratos (Bois
Forte Band of Chippewa) who is a mother, an entrepreneur, and a
passionate supporter of food sovereignty and access. Pieratos is
President/Sales & Marketing Director of Harvest Nation Inc.,
and she works with The Rutabaga Project, an Iron Range initiative
making local, nutritious, food accessible and affordable for
everyone. Reporter Melissa Townsend talks with Jackie Dionne
(Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) who is the Director of American
Indian Health at the Minnesota Department of Health. As the public
health liaison for tribes and urban Indian communities, Dionne has
been working with the 11 tribes in Minnesota on the response to
Covid-19. And she speaks frankly about testing, managing positive
cases, and making life and death decisions if there is a surge in
the number of people hospitalized for Covid-19. Plus, Red Lake
Nation Chairman Seki makes a heartfelt plea, encouraging everyone
in Minnesota to take the virus seriously.