Chris Tall Bear

Oklahoma
ctallbear@nnphi.org

Chris Tall Bear (Southern Cheyenne) is the Tribal Public Health Advisor for the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI).  Within this role, he provides project management support and subject matter expertise to the diverse and growing array of public health projects related to tribal health as part of the National Coordinating Center for Public Health training (NCCPHT) at NNPHI.  The NCCPHT Collaborates with public health training centers, member public health institutes and a wide range of national, state, tribal and local partners to build the capacity of the public health workforce.

Chris has worked in the tribal public health realm for over 20 years.  Prior to joining NNPHI, he worked for Southern Plains Tribal Health Board-Tribal Epi Center overseeing several grants in his time there.  While serving his tribe, his most fulfilling legacy was developing and implementing the Special Diabetes Program for Indians with his own tribal nation, the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.  Currently he serves on the City of Norman’s Human Rights Commission.  He was appointed as the Cheyenne representative to the National Park Service for the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.

He has a deep understanding and appreciation for his Cheyenne culture and traditions.  Although he has earned degrees within the academic world, he considers his true education is through his lived experience and participation within his own tribal community.