Native ontologies and epistemologies applied by those that have cultivated them for lifetimes are needed to address the myriad social, ecological, and biological threats to Native populations, disproportionate rates of poverty and unemployment on Indian reservations, and rise in severe mental distress.

PLHI’s research framework is carried out by localized planning that drives, with a Native voice and will, multi-agency, multidisciplinary coordination of large research projects that fulfill Tribal priorities and lead to greater economic independence and ability to conduct research locally.

A central feature of this framework is PLHI’s commitment to young Native scholars as they explore meaningful career paths in health, food and agriculture, and related topics. PLHI sponsors and mentors young researchers as interns within PLHI programming and partner organizations. To date, PLHI hosts on average, 10-16 interns annually, all of whom have gone on to complete high school, obtain professional positions, and/or enroll in graduate school.