In the final episode of season 2 of Black Feathers, Dr. Crystal Hernandez sits down with Betty Wharton, director of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Healthy Aging Program, to explore the vital work being done to support and uplift Elders within the Choctaw Nation. Betty shares insight into the culturally centered services and support systems available to Elders, from healthcare access and home visits to intergenerational connection. Together, they discuss the importance of honoring Elders as ca...
Jun 26, 2025
52 min
In this episode of Black Feathers Podcast, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez sits down with Jenifer Randle, Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO). Together, they dive into the Council’s latest initiatives aimed at advancing equity, accessibility, and self-determination for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities. Jenifer shares insights into OKCDD’s programs, and how community voices shape the Council’s priorities. Tune in for an conversation about building a more ...
Jun 20, 2025
50 min
In this episode of Black Feathers Podcast, Dr. Crystal Hernandez sit down with Dr. Amber Tiehen of Cherokee Health Services to explore the intersection of community, and healthcare. They will dive into big initiatives happening at the Cherokee Health Services including the reporting from the Autism Task Force. Dr. Tiehen has worked for Cherokee Nation Health Services for ten years and feels at home serving her community and advocating for patients.
Jun 7, 2025
36 min
From the moment a baby takes its first breath, early medical screenings can make a world of difference. In this episode of Black Feathers, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez talks with Shari Arceneaux, RN BSN, Newborn Screening Educator, OK State Department of Health about the critical role of newborn screenings in detecting life-altering conditions before symptoms even appear. Through expert insights, we discuss how these early interventions are saving lives, improving long-term health outcomes, and...
Mar 20, 2025
53 min
In this episode, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez dives into the vital topic of transition services for Native American adults with disabilities. Joined by Stephanie Ninke and Dawn Newrider from the Gateways Foundation, this conversation explores the challenges, opportunities, and resources available to support these individuals on their path to independence. Tune in for an honest, important dialogue that sheds light on the intersection of culture, community, and disability services.
Jan 8, 2025
44 min
In this episode, host Crystal Hernandez sits down with three esteemed disability child care experts from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Carrie F. Whitlow, Mary Davenport, LMSW u/s, and Megan Hart. They share their invaluable experiences and insights on fostering inclusive environments for children with disabilities. Join us as we explore culturally responsive strategies, community support systems, and the vital role of advocacy in helping familes with quality and affordable child care servi...
Sep 27, 2024
59 min
This month host Crystal is joined by Dana Miller, a Seminole and Ojibwe citizen, who serves as Ward 1 Councilperson for the City of Seminole. In her professional career, Dana has proposed and implemented innovative strategies that have led to effective policy and best practices. Highlights of her career in Medicaid include implementing a policy that allowed for coverage of Native children residing in boarding schools. Dana has been recognized nationally for efforts to address healthcare dispa...
Dec 14, 2023
53 min
In Episode 11, Crystal talks with Dr. Shea Tanis, from the University of Kansas, about her project the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project was initiated in 1982 to investigate the determinants of public spending for intellectual and developmental disabilities services in the United States. The project has developed a 40-year record of revenue, spending, and programmatic trends in the...
Nov 13, 2023
38 min
Crystal talks with three individuals who serve on the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) Larry Curley, Navajo Nation, executive director of NICOA, Desiree Lapahie, Navajo Nation, data analyst of the NICOA and Rebecca Owl Morgan, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, project coordinator at the NICOA. They discuss updates to the Toolkit "Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities".
Jul 17, 2023
45 min
In Episode 9, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Kodey Toney. Kodey is the director of the Pervasive Parenting Resource Center C.P.R.C., but most importantly he is a father and husband. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Konner and Kruz. Konner’s diagnosis of autism at the age of three has sparked him to create a resource center to help families in eastern Oklahoma cope with disabilities. In 2015, Toney received the TARC Parent Advocate of the Year award for the state o...
Jun 19, 2023
42 min
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