Many Different Birds - Episode May 27, 2025

Episode 14: Dr. Allison Kelliher: Bridging Medicine, Culture, and Healing



We’re honored to welcome our first international podcast guest, Dr. Allison Kelliher—a Koyukon Athabascan physician, traditional healer, and advocate for Indigenous health on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

In this rich conversation, Dr. Kelliher shares her personal journey from growing up in Alaska to practicing medicine in tribal, urban, and international settings. We dive into her integration of plant-based medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy, and traditional Indigenous healing—and how these practices are reshaping approaches to care.


We also explore key differences between the U.S. and Canadian medical systems, especially in how they serve Indigenous communities. As director of the Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance, Dr. Kelliher offers insight into creating more accessible, preventative, and culturally grounded care systems.

From community healing to global advocacy, this episode is a powerful look at how ancestral wisdom and modern medicine can come together to transform health for all.