The Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER) in Northern Arizona University’s Office of the Vice President for Research has launched a new podcast series, Voices of Native Nations in the Southwest During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The podcast is made possible by support from Project HOPE, an international global health and humanitarian organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The series amplifies Indigenous voices and experiences of resilience and mental well-being during and after the pandemic, featuring first-person stories from four community groups: first responders, educators, traditional knowledge holders and practitioners, as well as the substance use recovery community. Stories highlight challenges, lessons learned and culturally rooted approaches to healing. Each episode also provides information on local services and resources available to Indigenous communities in northern Arizona.
The project is co-led by Julie Baldwin, CHER executive director, Regents’ Professor of health sciences and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; Nicolette Teufel-Shone, associate director of CHER and professor of health sciences; and postdoctoral scholar Melinda Smith, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
“We have worked hard to ensure we accurately reflect the stories and perspectives of the participants,” Baldwin said. “Our team’s collective expertise and strong community connections have been instrumental in shaping the podcast’s content and approach.”
“These stories are for everyone,” Teufel-Shone said. “Hopefully, each listener will be inspired to think about personal and collective behavior during a time of crisis, like the COVID pandemic.”
The podcast development team also includes Alexis Talayumptewa (Hopi), Carol Goldtooth (Navajo), Manley Begay (Navajo), Chelsie Begoody (Navajo) and Chassity Begay (Navajo).
Data show Indigenous communities in the United States were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. American Indian and Alaska Native populations faced nearly double the mortality rate of white Americans. They also experienced the steepest drop in life expectancy—losing more than six years by 2021—driven largely by systemic health disparities, chronic health conditions and historic underfunding of and access to healthcare.
These compounded stressors also eroded Indigenous mental health. Rates of unmet mental health needs and major depression remains higher among Native adults compared to their non-Native peers, while the suicide rate among Native youth aged 15 to 24 has continued to be 2.5 times the national average.
“Despite this, Native peoples exhibited unparalleled resilience during the COVD-19 pandemic,” Baldwin said.
By combining rigorous research with storytelling, the podcast preserves Indigenous peoples’ lived experiences from the pandemic and highlights community resilience.
“I want to thank the individuals who generously took the time to share their stories, as their voices are the heart of the project,” Smith said. “Their stories are deeply valuable and offer wisdom and guidance for others, including younger generations, as they prepare to serve and actively support their communities.”
Episodes are available to stream and download on major podcast platforms, including Buzzsprout, Apple and Spotify.
Emily Litvack | NAU Advancement|Foundation