Date of Award

May 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Indigenous Health

First Advisor

Julie Smith-Yliniemi

Abstract

Indigenous populations face ongoing health disparities, often worsened by a lack of culturally relevant and Indigenous-led programs and interventions. This dissertation in practice was inspired by the need for community-driven, culturally grounded approaches that address these disparities for Cherokee Nation in Northeastern Oklahoma. Each of the three products are inspired by and aligned with the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), the Cherokee value of gadugi, and the concept of relationality, offering a holistic approach to community health and well-being. Not every product represents a fully implemented CBPR process but rather a CBPR-informed approach. Future stages will emphasize more meaningful community engagement and collaboration. The first product is a grant application for the Administration for Native Americans Social and Economic Development Strategies grant, which describes a youth initiative, Leading Evolving Natives’ Direction (LEND), created for the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC). LEND aims to improve financial literacy, entrepreneurship, college and career readiness, and community engagement among Native youth, mostly Cherokee in Northeastern Oklahoma. Although the AIRC is not submitting this grant, they agreed to be named as the fictional lead for this hypothetical application. The grant proposal stands ready to be modified and submitted by any organization that serves Native Cherokee youth in Northeastern Oklahoma. The second product is an evaluation plan for LEND. Emphasis is placed on Indigenous Evaluation methodologies and reciprocity, ensuring that measures of success are both meaningful and accountable to the Cherokee community. This culturally responsive evaluation plan was developed as a potential tool for the AIRC and as a template for efforts to remain accountable to youth, families, and stakeholders. The third product is a manuscript that presents the results of stage one of a multistage process for developing a Cherokee-inspired health determinants conceptual framework. In its initial design, this framework has been developed to aid understanding of health determinants for Cherokee People and has been informed by a review of extant health literature, artifacts, and Cherokee knowledge, history, values, and culture. Following development and publication of the framework, the intent is to test it through community review and application within the Cherokee Nation.

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