In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Indigenous community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
MassLive will publish profiles of these leaders through November. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Cheryl Cromwell (Submitted Photo).Submitted Photo
Cheryl Cromwell
Age: 60
Community: Lives in Attleboro, works in Boston
Her story: Cromwell currently serves as a Tribal and Indigenous Health Equity Strategist for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The first-of-its-kind post is charged with connecting with all the tribes and Indigenous communities across the Bay State to come up with a “master plan and an infrastructure that will foster effective partnerships and engagement with state, local, and federal agencies,” Cromwell told MassLive.
The “initial purpose and foundation” of that effort is “identifying and addressing the healthcare needs of the historically disproportionate communities,” Cromwell continued. Other areas of need might include the “education of the sovereignty of nations, history of the oppression and genocide that has had detrimental impact on our health outcomes,” Cromwell continued.
Cromwell told MassLive that she wants to “ensure that tribes and indigenous people are being treated equally and have the same access and quality to healthcare resources as other populations.”
“Obtaining and analyzing accurate data and contracting that meets the criteria and equity for Tribes are other areas of focus I have identified,” Cromwell continued. “As I continue to advocate for my people here at the state level, I want to always give space to listen to the communities because they are the experts in what they need and how I can be effective and successful in my role.”
Cromwell told MassLive she’d always had a passion for healthcare, but saw her plans for nursing school derailed because of an “unfortunate health situation with my grandson.” But it was through that experience, she said galvanized her work as an advocate and activist.
“This is where I truly became passionate about the care of our people. Becoming my grandson’s advocate throughout his short 3 years of life showed me that advocacy is critical,” she said.
As a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Cromwell said she started volunteering and facilitating a Cultural Youth Program. And during that time, she said she decided to run for an elected position, eventually serving for 19 years on the Tribal Council. She was both a council member and a health liaison.
“Being charged with building a health plan for my people became my focus and shortly after federal recognition in 2006 it was elevated to work with the federal Indian Health service and Health and Human Services Agencies,” she said.
Cromwell called her tenure as an adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on tribal issues for all tribes of the Mississippi River the “the third-best highlight of my career.”
Second place goes to the state Health Department’s inaugural Tribal and Indigenous Health summit in Boston last month. First place, she said, belongs to the grand opening of a tribal health and dental clinic.
In her words: “The advice that I would give others pursuing the work I do would be to always listen to the people whom you are working on behalf of. Most times federal, state, regional, local, and even Tribes decide what is best for the community. When developing programs and policies it is the communities who will benefit or not, so it is imperative to have a listening ear. Having the love of helping others is important because a lot of this work comes from your very own heart.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
