Kris Rhodes

with the new office, we have a new opportunity to really expand and really look at this. And so while you bring up all of these disparities where our people are struggling, whether it be in chronic disease outcomes or chemical health, behavioral health, even tobacco addiction, nicotine addiction, We have to, again, uncover what's upstream from that.

with the new office, we have a new opportunity to really expand and really look at this. And so while you bring up all of these disparities where our people are struggling, whether it be in chronic disease outcomes or chemical health, behavioral health, even tobacco addiction, nicotine addiction, We have to, again, uncover what's upstream from that.

How do we because we've been doing these programs for decades, right? We've been and they're making a difference in some populations and in some populations, they're not not touching the issue. So we really need to take a different approach. And that's where we need to look and listen to our communities who know what's best for them.

How do we because we've been doing these programs for decades, right? We've been and they're making a difference in some populations and in some populations, they're not not touching the issue. So we really need to take a different approach. And that's where we need to look and listen to our communities who know what's best for them.

For example, when we talk about tobacco, of course, tobacco has a unique meaning in our community. For me as a native woman, tobacco is the most important thing for my health. I use it on a daily basis. as a medicine to protect my health. It means I play, it doesn't mean I'm smoking cigarettes. That would be the most dangerous way to use tobacco.

For example, when we talk about tobacco, of course, tobacco has a unique meaning in our community. For me as a native woman, tobacco is the most important thing for my health. I use it on a daily basis. as a medicine to protect my health. It means I play, it doesn't mean I'm smoking cigarettes. That would be the most dangerous way to use tobacco.

My teaching as an Anishinaabe woman is to place my tobacco outside as an offering on a daily basis. It's part of my prayer. It's part of my spiritual health. And until we recognize that part of the tobacco and understanding and really

My teaching as an Anishinaabe woman is to place my tobacco outside as an offering on a daily basis. It's part of my prayer. It's part of my spiritual health. And until we recognize that part of the tobacco and understanding and really

claiming that reclaiming that that's when we're going to see the nicotine addiction rates go down and I'm really proud of the work that's been happening at MDH over the years with our American Indian Community Initiatives Unit really leading this work and funding this work that the tribes are saying this is how it needs to be done this is how it'll change

claiming that reclaiming that that's when we're going to see the nicotine addiction rates go down and I'm really proud of the work that's been happening at MDH over the years with our American Indian Community Initiatives Unit really leading this work and funding this work that the tribes are saying this is how it needs to be done this is how it'll change

The other thing I want to point out is let's look at some of the positives in our community. Our community has the highest immunization rates of any population. You can look at that data, the data that Aaron referenced. We can go into that report and we can see American Indians' immunization rates doesn't matter the issue. We're on the right end of that. That's fantastic.

The other thing I want to point out is let's look at some of the positives in our community. Our community has the highest immunization rates of any population. You can look at that data, the data that Aaron referenced. We can go into that report and we can see American Indians' immunization rates doesn't matter the issue. We're on the right end of that. That's fantastic.

That's good.

That's good.

Another area where our community shines is around alcohol. And a lot of times there's the stereotype that our community are all alcoholics. And actually, when you look at that data, if you want to look at any population that has the highest sobriety rates, it's the American Indian population. And so while there are still issues with alcohol misuse, in our communities.

Another area where our community shines is around alcohol. And a lot of times there's the stereotype that our community are all alcoholics. And actually, when you look at that data, if you want to look at any population that has the highest sobriety rates, it's the American Indian population. And so while there are still issues with alcohol misuse, in our communities.

I also wanna acknowledge the strengths that our communities bring and learn from those strengths as we continue on, as we face new challenges, such as the opioid epidemic.

I also wanna acknowledge the strengths that our communities bring and learn from those strengths as we continue on, as we face new challenges, such as the opioid epidemic.

And I'll just follow, I'll follow right up with what Raven said. And kind of the plea that Clarence has put out throughout this podcast is how can we lift, how can partners be good partners? And that really means engaging, doing the research, being in the community when you're able to, and just lifting it up.

And I'll just follow, I'll follow right up with what Raven said. And kind of the plea that Clarence has put out throughout this podcast is how can we lift, how can partners be good partners? And that really means engaging, doing the research, being in the community when you're able to, and just lifting it up.