What does it take for Indigenous communities to lead their own response when disaster strikes? In this episode, Linda Maynor Oxendine, North Carolina Area Manager at CORE and a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, shares how community-led preparedness can strengthen disaster response across Indian Country. She discusses CORE’s approach to arriving early, listening to trusted local leaders, and building long-term partnerships after disasters such as Hurricane Helene, as well as how Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training can prepare tribal staff, youth, nursing students, and families to respond safely before outside support arrives. Linda and Mario discuss why emergency preparedness must be culturally appropriate and guided by each tribe’s leadership, customs, and priorities. They also explore the importance of hiring locally, addressing public health challenges such as opioid overdoses and youth vaping, and helping healthcare professionals enter Indigenous communities with humility, kindness, and cultural sensitivity. Tune in to learn how communities can build local capacity, protect vulnerable residents, and create disaster-response programs that are shaped by the people they serve. Today’s Guest – Linda Maynor Oxendine Linda Maynor Oxendine is the North Carolina Area Manager at CORE, where she oversees emergency response, preparedness, and health-access programs across the region. A citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, she leads a local team that supports the resilience of marginalized communities in Robeson County and Native American communities across Robeson, Scotland, and Hoke Counties. CORE began working in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2018. Since then, Linda has helped expand its regional programming, providing critical support during natural disasters and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Her team brings experience across education, management, public health, nursing, military service, and industry, strengthening CORE’s ability to respond to community needs. Linda designed and implemented the Teen CERT model, which has equipped more than 300 local youth ages 16–24 with emergency-response knowledge and practical skills. She has also helped develop a harm-reduction program supporting Native American communities disproportionately affected by drug misuse. Resources Connect with Linda Maynor Oxendine on LinkedIn. Learn more about CORE, its disaster-response work, and community preparedness programs. Learn more about Tribal Health. About CORE Founded in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a global humanitarian organization that empowers underserved communities in and beyond crisis. CORE’s community-powered approach is informed and driven by local needs. When crisis strikes, CORE listens, learns, and acts—quickly filling critical gaps, mobilizing resources, and developing long-term recovery solutions. With equity at the center of its work, CORE provides critical relief to marginalized and vulnerable communities around the world, from those impacted by conflict in Ukraine and Sudan to communities recovering from hurricanes and other disasters across the U.S. and beyond. Currently, CORE is working alongside the Wayuu Taya Foundation and Acceso to support communities impacted by back-to-back earthquakes near Caracas, Venezuela. In addition to delivering emergency food, clean water, and hygiene kits, teams are clearing debris, providing critical shelter support, and making essential repairs to help families return home as quickly and safely as possible. To learn more and support CORE’s Todos con Venezuela (“All with Venezuela”) campaign, please visit: https://tiltify.com/core/ven-relief
