Healing trauma for better health

Indigenous groups are taking steps to heal generations of collective trauma resulting from federal policies that called for the destruction of their cultural identities. Join us as we hear from Lisa Wade, executive director of Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax (Chickaloon Village Traditional Council) in Alaska, and Tatewin Means, executive director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation in South Dakota. The Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax’ (Chickaloon Native Village) and Oglála Lakȟóta (Ogala Lakota) Thunder Valley communities are addressing emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being by revitalizing cultural traditions. They are also creating policies to protect ancestral lands and natural resources, investing in secondary education and workforce development, and supporting families in strengthening parenting skills. Wade will describe historical reconciliation to strengthen the Chickaloon community and data decolonization efforts to control their information and stories while Means will share Thunder Valley’s trauma liberation work to encourage residents to embrace their Lakota identity. Participants will learn lessons from our panelists that can be applied to any community engaged in healing. 

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps will host a one-hour interactive virtual discussion at 4pm ET, immediately following the webinar. We encourage you to participate in an engaging dialogue with peers across the country to share your experiences with equity. Mark your calendars and plan to stay as long as you're able.