Hero’s Story is a comprehensive solution to reduce isolation and promote community healing amongst AI/AN veterans and Tribal communities via accessible traditional healing practices.
1st-Place Winner of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Mission Daybreak Challenge as Project Hozho.
Fast Company's "World Changing Ideas 2023"
Televeda is a group working to reduce social isolation and loneliness for those who face challenges connecting. Members of the Televeda team include first-generation and 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th- generation immigrants. We are Indigenous peoples, Arizonans, New Yorkers, Africans, Guatemalans, New Mexicans, and Indians. We are varied genders and sexual orientations, we are multi-generational, and we are all passionate about making human connections.
We have deep and powerful partnerships in the communities we support, including Navajo Nation, Hopi, Lakota, Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’odham, and more. Our work is community-led and always community first.
We’re launching the first Indigenous, community-based platform to facilitate a trusted network of culturally-appropriate interventions & resources that support mental health. In partnership with each community, we're working to deliver care where people need it.
Culturally-competent & Community-led
Digital infrastructure & internet access
Evidence-based interventions & outcomes
By listening closely to AI/AN communities, we support & service their traditional practices as the best solution to combat social isolation & trauma.
Televeda is actively engaged with Broadband efforts to increase digital infrastructure on Tribal Lands. We support this effort today through effective digital literacy training and access to devices, and will continue to help improve access to care for all Tribal areas.
Over 67% of AI/AN veterans don't use the Veterans Affairs mental health services.
Some rural Tribal Community members, Navajo Nation residents must drive an average of 3-4 hours to access healthcare resources.
Over 73% of households lack broadband access and over 51% lack computers.
We incorporate traditional healing practices like storytelling and talking-circle interventions to facilitate community healing. We are establishing a research-based framework that honors traditional methods, unlocking a new path to care. The project builds upon validated practices including peer support, group therapy, and narrative medicine to establish a culturally-sensitive framework uniquely designed for AI/ANVs.
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Broadband, devices, & digital-literacy
Culturally appropriate mental health app
Safe, veteran-run peer support groups
Centralized hub of Indigenous programming
Sessions from Traditional Healers & Native Elders
Suicide prevention interventions training
Access to VA resources & benefits
Scalable model across tribes
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“Televeda is a true tribal champion, and one of my favorite projects to support. The massive strides they have made in tribal connectivity cannot be understated. This is how public-private partnerships should be done so it can meaningfully help communities”
“The Televeda team has been highly supportive. You can see they are full of passion & truly care about serving the Dine community. I get help for all the logistics- collateral, curriculum and trauma specialists so that we can grow our impact & services in the region.”
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“This is the first time the Navajo Nation VA is offering talking circles to the veterans. It is historic as it is much needed. Early feedback from the veterans and Navajo Spring Council have been highly motivating. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Televeda and serving our veterans.”
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"Our virtual women veterans peer support group through Televeda runs every Thursday evening. We have had women from Navajo county, Apache county, homebound veterans who otherwise would not be able to meet, connect with other women veterans and share."
"Hosting these virtual sessions with Televeda have been inspiring. One attendee is disabled/homebound and she shared that after attending the group last week and getting support/connecting, she felt excited all week to get up in the morning and get out of bed! She said this group is something to look forward to."
“Televeda is a true tribal champion, and one of my favorite projects to support. The massive strides they have made in tribal connectivity cannot be understated. This is how public-private partnerships should be done so it can meaningfully help communities”
“The Televeda team has been highly supportive. You can see they are full of passion & truly care about serving the Dine community. I get help for all the logistics- collateral, curriculum and trauma specialists so that we can grow our impact & services in the region.”
“This is the first time the Navajo Nation VA is offering talking circles to the veterans. It is historic as it is much needed. Early feedback from the veterans and Navajo Spring Council have been highly motivating. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Televeda and serving our veterans.”
"Our virtual women veterans peer support group through Televeda runs every Thursday evening. We have had women from Navajo county, Apache county, homebound veterans who otherwise would not be able to meet, connect with other women veterans and share."
“Televeda's transformative initiatives for our indigenous communities & commitment to delivering grassroots, culturally appropriate tech, and mental wellbeing support is evident. They listen intently, build trust, and go above and beyond to meet the complex needs of this demographic.This is an example of a public-private partnership that has led to meaningful work in communities.”
“The Televeda team has been highly supportive. You can see they are full of passion & truly care about serving the Dine community. I get help for all the logistics- collateral, curriculum and trauma specialists so that we can grow our impact & services in the region.”
“This is the first time the Navajo Nation VA is offering talking circles to the veterans. It is historic as it is much needed. Early feedback from the veterans and Navajo Spring Council have been highly motivating. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Televeda and serving our veterans.”
"Our virtual women veterans peer support group through Televeda runs every Thursday evening. We have had women from Navajo county, Apache county, homebound veterans who otherwise would not be able to meet, connect with other women veterans and share."
"Hosting these virtual sessions with Televeda have been inspiring. One attendee is disabled/homebound and she shared that after attending the group last week and getting support/connecting, she felt excited all week to get up in the morning and get out of bed! She said this group is something to look forward to."
This conversation is a chance to connect, ask questions, and learn more about our approach, our programs, and explore next steps together.
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