Tamee is a second-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth Campus. She earned her MPH from Vanderbilt University and has served as the Tribal Liaison at the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.

“I aim to utilize policy and a clinical degree to defend treaty obligations for the provision of healthcare while engaging in and empowering tribal nations in the self-determination of healthcare. I hope to support the transformation of healthcare delivery that is centered in Indigenous ways of healing and meets the needs of Native people, and in the end, reduces the burden of health impacts on our communities.”

Tamee’s community health project is to develop a scholarly paper and a blog through the collaboration of community members, tribal health leaders, and medical students. She has recognized a lack of articles that highlight successful program implementation that supports further policy advocacy for tribal self-determination of healthcare.

Healers Community Circle project summary:

Tamee (Oglala Lakota), a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth Campus, embarked on a transformative project that evolved from her initial proposal. Originally intending to collaborate with leaders from the Oyate Health Center in western South Dakota to highlight changes and successes following the transition from Indian Health Service management to tribal organization management, Tamee’s project took a different direction.

Instead, she focused on increasing traditional healing services for relatives (patients) at the clinic. Tamee facilitated discussions among respected knowledge keepers, traditional healers, and medicine people to envision a traditional healing space within the clinic. This collaborative effort led to the formation of the Wiyaksapa Committee, comprised of Elders, to further develop the concept of a traditional healing clinic.

While there is currently no written documentation of the project, Tamee plans to publish a paper in the future, detailing the process and outcomes of implementing traditional healing services at the clinic. This paper aims to serve as a framework for others interested in creating similar programs and to highlight the positive impact on the community.

Additionally, Tamee expresses a desire to publish literature on self-governance when the timing aligns with the participation of important voices in the community. Through her dedication and commitment, Tamee’s project not only enhances healthcare services but also preserves and promotes traditional healing practices within Indigenous communities.

Tarlynn Nicole Tonepahhote at a Pow Wow getting kids interested in working in Healthcare.