Dr. Vail Hour Podcast Episode 2 with Special Guest Patina Park, Executive Director Tribal State Relations

Join us for the Dr. Vail Hour Podcast Episode 2 sponsored by SPIRE Credit Union. As we continue our culturally diverse conversations on mental health, we are joined by Patina Park. Patina Park is the Executive Director for Tribal State Relations with the Office of the Minnesota Governor. 

With over 20 years of work experience, Patina is a passionate and dedicated leader in the field of Tribal-State relations, policy, and law. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Tribal State Relations at the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, where she acts as a direct link between the Tribal Nations and the Governor's office, and as a senior policy and legislative affairs advisor for the state government on issues impacting Native American communities throughout Minnesota. Patina's mission is to build upon existing knowledge, policies, practices, relationships, and support state government leadership and staff to engage in productive and respectful Tribal-State relations and communication. She brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, as Mnicoujou Lakota woman, as faculty at Falmouth Institute, and an official member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council.

In her current role, she oversees the Tribal-State Relations team and ensures the alignment of the Governor's vision and goals with the needs and interests of the Tribal Nations. She also partners with leadership across state government and in regular communication with tribal leadership to address the challenges and opportunities facing Native American communities in Minnesota, such as health care access, child welfare, education, economic development, gaming, sovereignty, and others. She leverages her skills in presentation preparation, building internal and external relationships, and conflict resolution to facilitate effective collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders. She also draws on her extensive background in law, policy, and governance, as she holds a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University, and has served as an appellate court justice, a project coordinator, a development director, and a staff attorney for different tribal entities and organizations.

We are excited to have Patina Park join our conversation for Episode 2 of the Dr. Vail Hour Podcast.