11/06/2026
“Healthy Brain” is translated to “Rąsgųnį Ną̄surugop” in Hocak, the native language of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. That translation is just one of the ways Cari Hinnrickson is helping her community learn about brain health.
As a Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Champion, Cari developed interactive and culturally relevant community events to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementia, risk factors of the disease, and ways to support brain health and healthy aging.
She also worked with the community’s language revitalization program to translate brain health terms into Hocak. Cari has built strong ties in her community through her work as the elder care services coordinator with the Winnebago Public Health Department and as an Advanced EMT.
Her efforts are changing the conversation. “Seeing people become more comfortable talking about brain health and sharing their concerns shows me that the seed we planted is making a difference,” she said. “My biggest takeaway is that collaborations, community support and even small conversations can have a lasting impact.”
💜 During Native American Heritage Month, we’re grateful for leaders like Cari, who are bringing brain health education home to their communities in their own language. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association’s public health work, visit alz.org/publichealth.