Listening to Community Voices: An Indigenous Nurse–Led Participatory Needs Assessment in an Urban American Indian Community
Kortney D. Herigon, Katherine LaBonte, Tiara Ruff, Mary J. IsaacsonIntroduction
Great Plains American Indians mortality rates for heart disease, cancer, lung disease, unintentional injuries, and suicide far exceed those of Whites. Yet, access to culturally responsive high-quality healthcare is challenging, even for those living in urban areas.
Objective
To conduct a community needs assessment, led by Indigenous nurses, to identify healthcare priorities, perceived needs, and structural challenges of American Indians living in an urban community.
Methods
The researchers used a community-based participatory research design to co-create the community needs assessment with the Indigenous Community Advisory Board (CAB). The researchers conducted Talking Circles with American Indian Elders, adolescents, and those identifying as houseless. The CAB requested that the researchers interview leaders from six specific community agencies.
Results
The researchers identified three primary categories: perceived needs of the community, existing resources and strengths, and barriers to meeting community needs.
Conclusion
The community needs assessment with American Indians identified persistent challenges alongside clear opportunities to improve American Indian health and well-being. Indigenous nurses are uniquely qualified to lead this work by actively engaging communities, shaping culturally responsive programs, and rebuilding trust grounded in shared experience, cultural knowledge, and historical understanding.