Decolonizing Health and Restoring Balance: Indigenous-Led Efforts to Improve Health Outcomes Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations Through Doctoral Nursing Education.

The article focuses on the Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses (Pathway) at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, an initiative designed to recruit, retain, and graduate American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) nurses in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. Grounded in the Indigenous Niganawenimaanaanig ("We Take Care of Them") Nursing Education Model, the Pathway provides culturally responsive mentorship, financial aid, academic support, and community-building to empower AI/AN nursing students. Early outcomes demonstrate increased enrollment and positive student experiences, though challenges remain in fully integrating Indigenous content and cultural safety into the curriculum. The program underscores the importance of holistic, culturally grounded support and institutional change to foster AI/AN nurse leaders who can address health disparities in Tribal communities.