Black Feathers Podcast host Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, discusses disability-related topics of interest to Tribal communities through data, storytelling, and innovative content. With this podcast, we embrace diversity, equity, and honor within our vast Tribal Nations. We will also be providing additional resources related to these topics to our audience and welcome everyone to join the conversation. Image Description: Black Feathers Logo, a blue circle surrounded by black feathers crossed with larger black and red feathers swirling around them, above text that reads "Black Feathers, Disability Conversations for All"
Black Feathers S2E6: Honoring Wisdom: Elder Services in the Choctaw Nation
Betty Wharton describes the Choctaw Nation's Healthy Aging Program and its culturally relevant services for Elders, including healthcare and intergenerational support, in an interview with Dr. Crystal Hernandez.
20 Jun 2025
Black Feathers S2E5: Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma
Dr. Crystal Hernandez interviews Jenifer Randle, Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma, about initiatives promoting equity and self-determination for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities.
7 Jun 2025
Black Feathers S2E4: Cherokee Health Services
Dr. Amber Tiehen discusses Cherokee Health Services' initiatives and the Autism Task Force report with Dr. Crystal Hernandez, highlighting community healthcare advocacy in an interview.
20 Mar 2025
Black Feathers S02E03: From The Start: Newborn Screenings Lead to Improved Life
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...
8 Jan 2025
Black Feathers S2E2: Transition Services at Gatesway Foundation
In this episode, host 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.
27 Sept 2024
Black Feathers S2E1: Child Care in Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations in Oklahoma
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...
14 Dec 2023
Black Feathers 12: Strengthening Our People with Dana Miller
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...
13 Nov 2023
Black Feathers 11: State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
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...
17 Jul 2023
Black Feathers 10: A Toolkit on Disability for Indian Country
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".
19 Jun 2023
Black Feathers 9: Pervasive Parenting with Kodey Toney
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...
15 May 2023
Black Feathers 8: Youth Engagement at Arizona's Sonoran Center
Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Joshua Drywater. Joshua is the Program Manager for Native Initiatives at the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. He and his team support people overcoming barriers to employment through initiatives such as the Finds Their Way Project. The Finds Their Way Project supports Native youth with disabilities in developing knowledge to participate in competitive, integrated employment.For a full list of resources please...
10 Apr 2023
Black Feathers 7: Chickasaw Nation Perseverance: The Secret to Triumph
In episode 7, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by Dr. Misty Boyd and Dr. Shannon Dial. Dr. Dial received her PhD in 2014 and shortly after began her work for the Chickasaw Nation. Shannon has been with the tribe for eight years and currently works as the Executive Officer of the Integrated Services Division in the Department of Family Services. Because April is Autism Acceptance Month, they hope this episode will help raise awareness about the need for early childhood autism screening serv...
30 Mar 2023
Black Feathers 6: Live Beyond the Conversation: Developmental Disability Month in Tribal Nations
Crystal and Shauna investigate the partnerships across the U.S. between state Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Tribal Nations. They were joined by joined by Sarah Young Bear-Brown a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa - the Meskwaki Nation, Dr. Cheryl Funmaker and Kody Funmaker from the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. Darold H. Joseph, Ph.D. of Paa-Is-wung-wa (Water Coyote Clan) from the Hopi Village of Lower Moenkopi.
20 Feb 2023
Black Feathers 5: Legacy Work with Jim E Warne
Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Jim Warne. Jim wears many hats, including those of educator, advocate, motivational speaker, and an Emmy-nominatedfilmmaker. He’s created continuing Education programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015, has written over 50 million in grants and contracts for universities and Tribal Nations and is currently the Community Engagement Director at University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, Oyáte Circle Sanford School of Medicine. Dur...
19 Dec 2022
Black Feathers 4: Navigating Learning Disabilities and Managing Anxiety
In this episode, hosts Crystal, Shauna, and this week’s guest Krista Fincher, speak to us regarding her personal journey with her children and their experience in navigating learning disabilities and anxiety. Krista is a Choctaw tribal member, a wife, mother of two and works as the Director for Chi Hullo Li, a residential treatment center for women. All three women hope this episode and the materials discussed help provide more insight into the early signs of learning disabilities, the challe...
21 Nov 2022
Black Feathers 3: Inclusion and Developmental Disabilities with Miranda Carman
In episode three, Black Feathers hosts Crystal and Shauna, along with guest Miranda Carman, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a clinical social worker who’s also a passionate advocate for children with autism and their families, will discuss Miranda’s own personal experience caring for her son with autism and the challenges they faced as a family with trying to get a clear diagnosis from physicians within the Tribal community. All three women hope this episode and the resources provid...
27 Sept 2022
Black Feathers 2: Mental Health Within Native Families with Disabilities
Black Feathers’ hosts Crystal and Shauna discuss the importance of mental health with Johnna James, citizen of Chickasaw Nation, who will talk about her family’s journey with disability, mental health and suicide. If you are having a mental health crisis please visit 988 Crisis Lifeline or call 988. For additional resources visit blackfeathers.org
6 Sept 2022
Black Feathers 1: Welcome to Black Feathers!
In this episode, co-hosts Crystal Hernandez, Psy.D., MBA, and Shauna Humphries, MS, LPC, will welcome listeners to Black Feathers Podcast. In this podcast we will discuss disability-related topics of interest to Tribal communities through data, storytelling, and innovative content. Crystal and Shauna will share their own families stories with disability and how that motivated them to improve family access to resources and remove barriers for all. Thank you for joining us and remem...
Who has been a guest on Black Feathers
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Betty Wharton
Jenifer Randle
Dr Amber Tiehen
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
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Quality
58
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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