Hownikan Podcast: May 2022

This episode focuses on Behavioral Health Awareness Month and the societal stigma of having behavioral health issues. We also meet the only Citizen Potawatomi Nation member serving in the Oklahoma legislature and hear about a study on tribal economic impact in Oklahoma.

Reducing stigma in mental health treatment

Dr. Julio Rojas, psychologist and licensed alcohol and drug counselor at CPN Behavioral Health, discusses factors contributing to stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, and advocates for comprehensive and compassionate care.

Self-Care Awareness Month brings together ways to focus

As a licensed professional counselor, Rickey Whisenhunt works with Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health patients on their self-care and affirmations as tools to improve their mental health. Self-Care Awareness Month in September is an excellent time to create new habits.

Key to improving Native men’s mental health lies in community, culture

June is Men’s Health Month. Mental health often goes undiscussed but remains an essential part of holistic care and quality of life. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health Counselor Ray Tainpeah believes community and counseling lie as the keys to success when dealing with trauma.

Hownikan Podcast: May 2021

In today’s episode, we’ll discuss an award recently granted to the Tribe’s community development financial institution, hear from a Nashville musician who was discovered by Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon and learn some tips and tricks for self-care.

Group therapy offers “Freedom from Smoking”

After attending training and learning about resources, CPN Behavioral Health Therapist Ray Tainpeah started leading smoking cessation classes for Tribal members and employees in 2005, using the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking curriculum.

Hownikan Podcast: March 2021

In this episode, we’ll hear about the history of the Potawatomi census book of 1862 and the Tribe’s efforts to gain ownership, an environmental activists’ stay with CPN during her journey hiking across the U.S. as well as the behavioral health department’s smoking cessation classes.

Hownikan Podcast: September 2020

This episode discusses how to combat habitual stress from the pandemic, the history of the Oklahoma land runs, and how to teach a dog commands in Potawatomi.

Regina Ertz focuses career on serving Indian Country

Ertz’s Native American cultural and family connections run deep. She grew up in rural South Dakota, and her father is a psychologist as well. Watching him serve other people during her childhood influenced the decision to choose behavioral health.