Jacob Cousin, a Pine Ridge Indian Reservation native and 2016 Valedictorian of Mahpiya Luta (formerly Red Cloud), pursued his studies at Brown University as a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar, earning a BA in Science, Technology, and Society with a focus on Culture and Health, particularly Alternative Medicine. In 2024 he achieved a Masters of Public Health with a focus on Health Behavior. He is currently a Research Assistant at the Brown University School of Public Health, as well as a Policy Analyst/Political Advisor for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Vice President. Jacob’s work centers on preserving Native dance traditions and integrating them into health interventions. He manages study preparation, recruitment, and survey creation, emphasizing the incorporation of Indigenous art into scientific discourse. Jacob’s journey underscores the belief that the fusion of Culture and Health, embodied in Dance and Movement, is not merely academic but a lifelong dedication to enhancing community well-being.
