American Indian, Alaska Native Veterans

Native America & Alaska Native Health & Wellness: In Service and Beyond is an initiative dedicated to honoring and supporting Native American and Alaska Native Veterans. By centering Indigenous traditions, histories, and lived experiences, this program seeks to bridge gaps in cultural understanding and strengthen systems of care.

Our goal is to equip service providers, mental health professionals, community leaders, and allies with the culturally responsive knowledge they need to serve Native Veterans effectively. Through education, storytelling, and partnership, we aim to ensure that these Veterans receive care and support that reflects their identities and addresses the unique challenges they face. Together, we can foster connectedness, belonging, and resilience—key elements of upstream suicide prevention and long-term wellness in Native communities.

Answering the Call: Confronting the Native American Veteran Suicide Crisis

By Dean Dauphinais

“Across Indian Country, a silent crisis is unfolding—Native American Veterans are dying by suicide at an alarming and accelerating rate. These are not just numbers; these are our relatives, our friends, our leaders, our protectors…”

Dr. Melita “Chepa” Rank, a member of the Húŋkpati Dakota Tribe and a dedicated social worker, discusses holistic wellness and well-being within Tribal and Indigenous communities.

Dr. Rank’s work focuses on integrated systems of wellness that center on cultural strengths—affirming that traditions, customs, and community connections are the foundation of true healing.

Learn more about:

Insights from her dual perspective as a tribal member and social worker, highlighting the urgent need to expand mental health support within Native and Tribal communities.
Advocacy for building trust-based relationships to better serve Veterans and effectively engage with Tribal governments.
A hopeful vision for leveraging partnerships, like with PsychArmor, to increase resources and support for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans through a collective impact approach.

Hear from Retired Command Sergeant Major Julia Kelly of the Crow Nation, hailing from Pryor, Montana.

Julia shares her journey of service, identity, healing, and advocacy—from enlisting for a better life to becoming a senior enlisted leader, and how reconnecting with her Native heritage became central to her life and PTSD recovery.

Learn more:

Julia didn’t identify as Native American until she was a Sergeant First Class—later performing a smudging prayer in formation as battalion Sergeant Major before her unit deployed to Iraq.
After service, she found healing at a treatment facility that offered culturally familiar practices such as fasting ceremonies and sweat lodges.
Now retired, Julia champions suicide prevention and the visibility of women Veterans—especially Native women who often go unrecognized.

Marine Veteran and enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Dean Dauphinais, returns to the podcast to share his vision for creating culturally responsive support for Native and Tribal Veterans.

As President & CEO of Native Eco Solutions, Dean is a powerful connector—bridging communities through collaboration rooted in Dakota values: we are all connected.

Tune in to hear about:

Dean’s work with PsychArmor’s advisory committee shaping Native-focused resources
His vision for suicide prevention and meaningful stand downs that honor tribal sovereignty
The importance of building networks that foster stronger connections with Native Veterans

/Supporting Native American and Alaska Native Veterans and Service Members

Shared Stories

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Answering the Call: Confronting the Native American Veteran Suicide Crisis

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Working Group Members

Julia Kelly

Dean Dauphinais

Lesa Shaw

Melita "Chepa" Rank, DSW, CSW, QMHP