Leading with Tradition How Cherokee Values Shape Healthcare and Healing with Keahana Lambert

Welcome back to Impact Unfiltered, the show where bold ideas and honest dialogue fuel real change in healthcare, business, and our communities. In this episode, host Philippe sits down with Keahana Lambert—an Eastern Band Cherokee leader with nearly three decades of experience in public health and law enforcement. Keahana shares her passion for healing generational trauma, nurturing resilience, and prioritizing holistic wellness rooted in Cherokee culture. From the revitalization of language and legacy, to innovative healthcare programs serving both tribal and non-tribal community members, Kiana gives us an inside look at how her team empowers people to move from surviving to truly thriving. Plus, hear about the powerful community initiatives uplifting mental health, and the lessons she hopes to pass on to the next generation of leaders. This is a conversation about impact—unfiltered, inspiring, and deeply moving.1. Introduction and BackgroundKeahana’s background:Eastern Band Cherokee heritageRole as mother, grandmother, and public servant27 years in public health and law enforcement with the tribe2. Community Context and Current IssuesImportance of healing from trauma in tribal communitiesEmphasis on resilience and moving towards thriving, not just surviving3. The Meaning and Impact of “Impact”Definition of impact: influence and change, both negative and positiveHistorical negative impacts: colonization, assimilation, Indian Removal ActPositive impacts: revitalization of language and cultureExample: Tribal language academy and cultural education for children4. Organizational and Healthcare AlignmentThe tribe’s Health Improvement Plan (SIPP)Community-driven program development (e.g., Cherokee Choices)Responsive programming based on community needs (yoga, mental health, substance abuse, dietary health)Holistic, patient-centered healthcare approach5. The Tribal Health System StructureSovereignty and self-governance in healthcare:Departed from IHS (Indian Health Service) modelCustom-designed health services to meet local needsRange of services offered:Minor surgical procedures, inpatient & outpatient careMental health and substance abuse treatment (inpatient and outpatient)Residential treatment center (Kanvwotiyi)6. Cultural Integration in HealthcareIncorporation of Cherokee language, values, and beliefs into all health programsHistorical cultural practices (shared wealth, communal care for children)Contrast with modern challenges (homelessness, foster care)7. Expansion and Community InclusionOpen access to health programs for all local residents, not just tribal membersRationale: Ensuring overall community health benefits everyone8. Leadership, Legacy, and Advice for Future GenerationsEncouragement for emerging leaders:Emphasizing the value and purpose of every individualAdvocating for standing up and finding one's voiceObstacles faced by Indigenous communities in broader society9. Effective Support and Collaboration in Tribal LeadershipImportance of leadership buy-in and understandingTrauma education programs:Teaching about brain function, nervous system regulation, and trauma recovery (moving from survival mode to thinking mode)Programs delivered in workshops, aiming for personal and community balance (tohi)10. Outreach and Invitation for CollaborationContact information for support, training, and collaborative opportunitiesWillingness to provide workshops and resources to other communities11. Message to Other Tribal Professionals and LeadersReminder: "We're still here" – resilience and survivalAdvocacy for understanding trauma, shifting the lens from blaming to understanding12. Community Events and Upcoming InitiativesAnnouncement of the “From Darkness Into Hope” suicide awareness eventPurpose: honor lost community members, raise awareness around mental health resourcesHighlights: cultural ceremonies, service information booths, food, and community gathering