Resilience in the Face of Erasure: Advocacy, Identity and the Future of Native Communities

Resilience in the Face of Erasure: Advocacy, Identity and the Future of Native Communities

"There have been so many attempts to erase us, to destroy us, to take our lands. And we are still here, we're strong. We're one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the country." — Erik Stegman, Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy

Imagine being torn from your family, your home, your community. For centuries, this was the painful reality for many Native people, forced into boarding schools designed by the federal government to strip away their culture and way of life. Erik Stegman offers both a historical and personal perspective on the generational trauma that continues to shape the lives of Native communities.

In this compelling conversation, Erik reflects on the deep wounds left by these harms, and how he brings his identities into his work—advocating for tribal law, policy reform, and the empowerment of Native voices. Despite the weight of this painful history, Erik shares a powerful message of hope and resilience, speaking to the future of Indian Country and the growing strength of Native populations.

Listen as Erik challenges us to understand the legacy of these injustices, while reminding us of the unshakable resilience of Native peoples and their vital role in shaping a brighter future.

This season is brought to you in collaboration with American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). This compliments the ABIM Foundation's Building Trust Initiative. We will highlight different stories and context that illustrate racial, ethnic, and gender health disparities. Our goal is to provide this historical context, show how it is connected to inequities that still happen, and share how changemakers are taking action to ensure that history doesn't continue to repeat itself.