Monday, March 9, 2026 – Surviving cancer

For many Native American survivors, a cancer diagnosis is more than just a biological battle. It is a matter of balancing modern oncology with community and cultural context. American Cancer Society data show a historic 70% five-year survival rate across the general population, but Native Americans continue to face unique hurdles, from geographic isolation to chronic underfunding of the Indian Health Service. Despite these disparities, survivors are reclaiming their narratives by integrating traditional healing practices with cutting-edge science. We’ll hear from Native survivors in the context of the ongoing advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

GUESTS

Shannon Martin (Gun Lake Potawatomi), cancer survivor

Jamie Gomez (Tlingit and Haida), executive director of the Tlingit and Haida Foundation and American Indian Cancer Foundation board member

Alicia Mitchell (Cherokee), Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention board member and American Indian Cancer Foundation board member

Nicole Hallingstad (Tlingit), cancer survivor