Melanie Johnson

Senior Researcher

Melanie Johnson, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, is a Certified Prevention Specialist and CEO of Kish-Kut-Chee, LLC. She has over 20 years of experience promoting culturally rooted prevention strategies within Tribal and Urban Indian communities. As a senior researcher with CEI, she offers advice on equity-focused and culturally responsive practices, manages grant development and submissions, and contributes to research, publications, and strategic initiatives. Melanie also collaborates with the Opioid Response Network, the Association of American Indian Physicians, and the 7 Generations AI/AN Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, concentrating on substance use, suicide prevention, and behavioral health. She works closely with her Tribe on the 988 Tribal Response Mental Health Lifeline grant and is a licensed KAIROS Blanket Exercise facilitator, using education to foster healing and awareness of historical and intergenerational trauma.