Aug. 28, 2025

75 I You Are the Servant: Redefining Medicine Through Indigenous Wisdom ft. Dr. Lonnie Nelson

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Overview:

We sit down with Dr. Lonnie Nelson, a clinical psychologist and member of the Cherokee Indians, to explore the importance of centering Native communities in healthcare research and practice. We learn about how Lonnie’s personal experiences with family health challenges shaped his professional journey, and how he reframes common clinical approaches to focus on culture, self-determination, and relational trust. We dive deep into the role of "culture as medicine," uncovering how traditional practices and genuine human connection can foster healing far beyond what Western medicine often recognizes. We also discuss Lonnie’s work addressing health disparities, brain health research in urban Native elders, and the need to move away from transactional, role-based healthcare toward true person-centered care.

Three Takeaways:

- Community-Driven Research, Not Researcher-Imposed Solutions
Lonnie Nelson’s approach flips the traditional research model by centering the priorities of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Rather than imposing outside solutions, he collaborates with community members to identify needs and co-create potential interventions, then seeks funding to rigorously test these ideas. This honors cultural wisdom and ensures research is relevant and respectful.

-Reclaiming Indigenous Roots in Motivational Interviewing
A fascinating point Nelson brings up is that motivational interviewing—a mainstream therapeutic technique—has roots in Indigenous traditions. He highlights that its effectiveness comes from Native practices grounded in respect, non-judgment, and relational conversation. However, much of Western healthcare training strips these origins, sometimes making the approach feel manipulative; Nelson, instead, works to restore its original, culturally-grounded intent.

-The Native Concept of “Medicine” is Holistic and Transformative
In Native cultures, “medicine” isn’t just pharmaceuticals or interventions—it’s anything that can transform how you feel, from the smell of your grandmother’s kitchen to community rituals. Nelson stresses that when Native people say, “culture is medicine,” it’s about emotional and spiritual transformation—not just physical wellness.

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