February 13, 2026

Public Health Authority: Sovereignty in Action

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is excited to announce the next session of our 2026 Tribal Public Health Webinar Series! This series is part of our ongoing commitment to build capacity, share resources, and support Tribal Nations and the public health workforce across Indian Country.
The February Webinar will be:

Public Health Authority: Sovereignty in Action

Hosted by Jessica Dean, DrPH, MSPH, Tribal Public Health Programs Manager

When: February 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM EDT

 

This session will take participants deeper into the heart of Tribal public health by focusing on public health authority as an expression of sovereignty in action. Tribal Nations hold the inherent authority to protect the health and well-being of their people, and this webinar will walk through what that means in practice.

We will explore how public health authority is rooted in sovereignty, how it shows up in everyday Tribal governance, and why it matters for building strong, self-determined health systems. Participants will learn how Tribal Nations use this authority to respond to community needs, create their own public health laws and codes, manage data, and lead prevention and wellness efforts that reflect their values and knowledge. This session will support Tribal leaders, health staff, allies, and partners by offering a clear understanding of how public health authority works and how it strengthens Tribal health systems.

It will also guide allies and partners in how to respectfully support Tribal public health priorities and uphold the sovereignty that drives these decisions.

Our Guest Speakers
Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH, Rosebud Sioux

Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy at the Colorado School of Public Health
Sheena Lambert, MPH

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Public Health Director, Public Health & Human Service Division; Director of the ECBI Medical IRB
Victoria Warren-Mears, PhD, RDN, FAND

Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center
Chief Marilyn “Lynn” Malerba, Mohegan Tribe

What You Will Learn

  • How Tribal Nations are actively shaping public health policy and practice within their own jurisdictions

 

  • Examples of how Tribal governments use legal and governance tools to respond to public health needs

 

  • Approaches Tribes are using to design public health systems that reflect community values and priorities
  • How Tribal-led public health efforts strengthen long-term readiness and community well-being
  • Key considerations for working alongside Tribal Nations in ways that honors their decision-making authority
Carrie Field, MPH

Senior Research Analyst, National Indian Health Board
Who Should Attend

  • Tribal government leaders and staff involved in health, governance, or policy development
  • Public health practitioners working in Tribal, intertribal, state, or local settings
  • Organizations that collaborate with Tribal Nations on health-related initiatives
  • Professionals supporting public health planning, preparedness, or systems development
  • Organizations and private and public funders that collaborate with Tribal Nations on health-related initiatives
  • Anyone interested in understanding how Tribal governance influences public health action
Register now