The Indian University at Crazy Horse has a new program designed for targeted healthcare. Namely – culturally sensitive Native treatment.
The wichozani health and wellness program aims to create culturally competent healthcare workers in a career field that already lacks in Indigenous representation.
Julissa Fillmore is the university’s outreach coordinator.
“We have partnered again with Black Hills State University and Crazy Horse Memorial to come out with the new spring program called the wichozani health and wellness certificate program," Fillmore said. "Wichozani is the Lakota word for health and wellness, which is what the certificate program is all about. Some of the classes we’ll be offering is ethno-botany of the northern plains, Native food systems, as well as Native American public health.”
Fillmore said this will be one of only a few programs of its kind in the entire country.
“I definitely think that having the cultural sensitivity as well as knowledge of specific issues that face Indigenous communities is a really helpful skillset we hope to provide students,” Fillmore said.
Angel Lee is director of the Indian University of North America. She said this class roster was a collaborative effort alongside Black Hills State University.
“The goal is to provide a comprehensive course framework for students to earn a certificate that gives them an idea of the issues that face contemporary Native Americans in healthcare,” Lee said.
The 12-credit program begins in the Spring 2025 semester, and the application is open through Nov. 1. A link to that application can be found here.