November is Native American Heritage Month—a time to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. At Region Ten, we’re highlighting Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, whose work has helped expand our understanding of mental health and healing. 

Who Is Dr. Brave Heart? 

Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart is a Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota social worker, researcher, and mental health leader. Through research, teaching, and work with Native communities, she has helped professionals better understand the connections between history, grief, and well-being. 

Understanding Historical Trauma 

Dr. Brave Heart helped advance the framework of historical trauma, which explores how shared experiences of loss and harm can affect families and communities across generations.

Her research examined forced displacement, the separation of Native children from their families through boarding schools, and other events that disrupted Native families and communities, leaving grief that could affect later generations. 

A Community Approach to Healing 

Dr. Brave Heart also developed the Historical Trauma and Unresolved Grief intervention, beginning in Lakota communities. It combines education about historical experiences with opportunities to acknowledge grief and support individual and community healing. 

Her work recognizes that healing can involve more than individual treatment. Family, community, cultural identity, and shared traditions can also be important sources of support. 

Contributions to Mental Health and Substance Use Care 

Dr. Brave Heart brought historical trauma into conversations about both mental health and substance use. Her research explored how some people may use substances to cope with painful feelings linked to trauma and unresolved grief. This offers another way to understand a person’s struggles and consider what support they may need. 

Through teaching and training, she has also helped providers recognize how cultural strengths and community connections can support recovery. 

Why Her Work Matters 

Whether we work in behavioral health or support a loved one with mental health or substance use challenges, understanding someone’s story can help us better support their recovery. 

This Native American Heritage Month, we’re recognizing Dr. Brave Heart’s contributions to the field. Her work encourages us to ask what matters to each person, including the role of family, culture, and community in their care.