New Mexico is home to 23 tribes, pueblos, and nations that are each distinct in their own government, culture, and history. The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Population Health (COPH) acknowledges the rich heritage and history of Native American communities and is committed to honoring relationships with Indigenous peoples.
The COPH will be a global leader in advancing health equity, honoring cultural traditions, and fostering thriving communities throughout New Mexico, the Southwest, Indigenous homelands, and the world.
In partnership with Indigenous communities, students, and other key collaborators, we prepare future public health leaders through culturally responsive education, community-engaged research, and service grounded in respect and reciprocity. Together, we strive to improve the health and social well-being of Indigenous peoples and all communities in New Mexico and beyond.
Native American faculty within the UNM COPH founded the ILW group in August 2024 with a goal to promote, connect, and support Indigenous COPH students, staff, and faculty. The most important work of ILW is to ensure students feel they have a strong foundation for their academic journey.
Our current work:
Website: https://hsc.unm.edu/population-health/faculty/
Careers for public health professionals are diverse and include the following roles:
Population health improves health outcomes for Indigenous communities using strategies from public health, wellness promotion, chronic disease prevention and management. It examines Indigenous social determinants of health, including social, economic, political, environmental and cultural factors that affect the health of a population. Public health solutions help meet community needs through community interventions, health policy, and evidence-based models of health care delivery. Population health collaboration takes place through diverse sectors, including education, social welfare, housing, transportation, environmental protection and economic development.
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.
Source: Indigenous Peoples’ Land and Territory Acknowledgement, Brown Paper by UNM Native Faculty
November 2025 UNM COPH Native American Heritage Month
March 2025 UNM COPH Native American Research Seminar
November 2024 UNM COPH Native American Heritage Month