Dear Friends,
It is both an honor and a privilege to lead our programming at the Great Plains Hub of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health. As a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, this work is sacred and it is deeply meaningful to bring that experience home to our relatives in the Great Plains.
For decades, the Center has partnered with tribal nations across the country. While our region faces significant health disparities, we are also rich in cultural strength, in ceremony, traditional healing, language, and a deep sense of community. These strengths guide our work every day. Our team is advancing key programs that address chronic disease and mental health, blending public health and medical science with culturally rooted approaches. We are also fortunate to have several doctoral-prepared Indigenous co-investigators from Great Plains Tribes who bring deep commitment and lived experience to our shared mission.
Please join me in celebrating our first year as the Great Plains Hub – a year of growth, connection, and collective healing.
Wopila! (Thank you!),
