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     I am motivated to help people of all ages and backgrounds to develop healthier lifestyles. I want to provide physical/nutritional services and education in various types of settings from individuals to communities, based on their specific needs and goals.

     I am currently the Student/Family Cultural & Wellness Advocate for the Mandan Public School System. The main objective of my position is to help the Native American students and families feel welcome and connected to the school district and Bismarck/Mandan community. My position also focuses on addressing cultural diversity and awareness, along with nutrition and physical activity education.

Cole Allick, MHA, is a Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) Coordinator and Tribal Liaison at Washington State University's Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH). His primary role is developing, planning, and leading research engagement and outreach activities focused on urban and rural American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, locally, regionally, and nationally. He provides direction to Research Coordinators, Faculty and Partnerships for Native Health (P4NH) staff, in implementing outreach strategy and engages in strategic planning with tribal and urban clinics and community organizations in Washington State. He is also responsible for managing the operations, research projects, and outreach for the PBRN in coordination with the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the Native American Health Sciences Program Director. Cole is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. 

     Jeri Ann Azure, PhD, is an enrolled member of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.  She began her education at the Turtle Mountain Community College and went on to attend Minot State University and the University of North Dakota where she earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2011.

     Dr. Azure completed internship at the Indian Health Care Resource Center in Tulsa, OK.  Since graduating, Dr. Azure worked with the Turtle Mountain Vocational Rehabilitation Project, Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), The Village Family Service Center, The Turtle Mountain Community High School, and most recently began employment with Indian Health Service as a Mental Health Specialist in April 2014. 

     Dr. Jeri Ann Azure provides therapy to all age groups through individual, family, and group therapy at the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility.  Her area of specialty includes depression, defiant behavior, anxiety, anger, learning disabilities, suicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors, and psychological assessment.  Dr. Azure is privileged to be able to provide psychological services (individual therapy, group therapy, assessment, consultation, etc.) to Natives across the lifespan.

     Stacie Blue has worked for Turtle Mountain Community College for a combined 16 years. She started her experience at TMCC as a summer research technician, then becoming employed as an administrative assistance, gaining experience to become a grant director, and after years of higher education instructor.

     Stacie has been teaching science courses full-time since 2009, she continues to develop her knowledge and skills to be an effective instructor, adviser, grant writer, and researcher. Stacie is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

     Her professional interests include learning about the natural environment, and how to engage students in an outdoor education-throughout all seasons.

     BS in fisheries and wildlife Biology-University of North Dakota-Grand Forks; MS in Science Education-Montana State University-Bozeman. Currently PhD student in Natural Resources Management-North Dakota State University-Fargo.

     I have primarily worked with and researched Native American student success in college. I am also interested in critical race theory, anti-racism, and social justice and how each of these topics effect Native Americans. My latest publication: Brown, D.L., Hall, R.E., & Branden, K. (2018), Native American Colorism: From Historical Manifestations to the Current Era. American Behavioral Scientist, 62(14): 2023-2036.

     I am an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Tribe. I graduated from Turtle Mountain High, Sitting Bull College, and have bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from the University of North Dakota. I worked at American Indian Student Services at UND for 15 years assisting students attending the university. I served as the Campus Diversity Officer for Minnesota State University Moorhead for ten years.

     I am currently assistant professor in the Department of Leadership & Learning in the graduate school of Minnesota State University Moorhead. I currently live in Fargo with my husband Pat. We have four daughters and three granddaughters.

     Dr. Duane Champagne is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota. He is Professor of Sociology and American Indian Studies, a co-chair for the UCLA Native Nations Law and Policy Center, Senior Editor for Indian Country Today, and a member of the TLCEE (Tribal Learning Community and Educational Exchange) Working Group, and education report contributor to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues State of the World's Indigenous Peoples Report.

     Professor Champagne was Director of the UCLA American Indian Studies Center from 1991 through 2002 and editor of the American Indian Culture and Research Journal from 1986 through 2003, and in 2013. He authored or edited over one hundred thirty-five publications including

• Native America: Portraits of the Peoples,
• The Native North American Almanac,
• Social Order and Political Change: Constitutional Governments Among the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek,
• Social Change and Cultural Continuity Among Native Nations,
• Notes From the Center of Turtle Island,
• Captured Justice: Native Nations Under Public Law 280, and Indigenous Nations within Nations States: Integration and Autonomy. 

Champagne’s research focuses primarily on issues of social and cultural change in both historical and contemporary Native American communities. He writes about social change in a variety Indian communities including: Cherokee, Tlingit, Iroquois, Delaware, Choctaw, Northern Cheyenne, Creek, California Indians, and others.

Specialize in Behavioral Health

• Depression A
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
• PTSD
• Mood Disorders
• Grief/Bereavement.

Healing Connection Behavioral Health Center PLLC EST. 03/2020 Owned/Operated by Heather Counts Services offered:

• Psychiatric Evaluations
• Psychotropic Medication Management
• Individual Therapy
• Psychotropic Genetic Testing
• Consultation Services
• Educational Events

Call (701)244-9729 for appointment Heathercounts82@gmail.com

Jacob is an active member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians located in Belcourt, North Dakota. Currently, he works as the Tribal Programming Director for Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota. Jacob has over ten years of American Indian health research experience on a local, regional, and national level. This experience includes: Native American health disparity research, compilation/analysis of data sets, grant writing/management, and program evaluation. He is serving as a board member for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, has served as a board member for the North Dakota Cancer Coalition, and has held professional memberships within various organizations. Jacob has given professional presentations at various conferences over the years that have included the Pathways into Health Conference, the National Indian Council on Aging conference, the Native Health Research Conference for Native American Elder Abuse, and the Native Women’s and Men’s Wellness Conference.

Summary of professional interests
Based on my background and my current aspirations, I feel that the next logical step in my professional development is creating a network of health professionals that aspire to resolve the issues regarding health equity in American Indian populations. Achieving this will provide the framework needed to address the numerous discrepancies between the general population and American Indian population. I believe that all of my efforts in serving Indian Country through research have led me to reach this point and I am ready to excel in this endeavor if provided the opportunity to learn and grow through this organization.

Summary of areas of expertise
I have nine years of American Indian health research experience on a local, regional, and national level. This experience includes: ϖ Native American health disparity research ϖ Compilation/analysis of data sets ϖ Grant writing/management ϖ Program evaluation

Professional Memberships/Involvements:

• Member, American Indigenous Research Association 2015 – Present Member
• North Dakota Diabetes Cancer Coalition 2015 - Present Resource Person
• USDHHS Office of Minority Health Resource Center 2013 – Present Member 
• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse 2013 - 2014 Advisor
• University of North Dakota Indian Association 2009 – 2014 Advisor
• University of North Dakota Native Research Team 2009 - 2014 Member
• Dakota Diabetes Coalition 2009 – 2014 Member
• Native Research Network 2009 – 2014 Member 
• North Dakota Academy of Science 2007 – 2010 Member
• American Indian Health and Education Consortium 2007 – 2009

Research and Research Publications:

• Best, L.G., Nadeau, M., Davis, J., Gourneau, L., Vallie, J. (2007). Factor v leiden genetic variant in an American Indian population. Proceedings of the North Dakota Academy of Science.
• Best, L.G., Bercier, S., Davis, J., Davis, K., Poitra, S., Anderson, C.M. (2009). Characteristics of two measures of endothelial function among American Indian participants in a case-control study of pre-eclampsia. Proceedings of the North Dakota Academy of Science.
• Best, L.G., Nadeau, M., Bercier, S., Dauphinais, S., Davis, J., Davis, K., Anderson, C.M. (2012). Genetic variants, endothelial function, and risk of preeclampsia among American Indians. Hypertens Pregnancy, 31(1), 1-10. doi:10.3109/110641955.2010.525276 
• Davis, J. (2013). Elder abuse in American Indian and Alaska native communities. National Resource Center on Native American Aging factsheet. http://www.nrcnaa.org/pdf/elder-abuse-in-native-communities-2013.pdf
• Davis, J. (2013). Wilson Wewa elder abuse public service announcement. National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative. http://www.nieji.org/ 
• Davis, J. (2014). Civil model tribal elder protection code. National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative. http://www.nieji.org/products/ 

Jerilyn Decoteau is a Juris Doctor who currently resides in Eldorado Springs, Colorado. She is a self-employed, enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Her professional interests include Indian Law and Policy, Human Rights, Tribal Courts, and boarding schools. Her areas of expertise are in the areas of Indian Law, federal Indian water law, teaching Indian law and policy, tribal courts, anti-racism work focused on the effects of colonialism on Native Americans in the US and on the effects of boarding school policy.

Professional Memberships/Involvements:
Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Bar Colorado Indian Bar Association National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, President of the Board Toward Right Relationship Project - Co Director Committee to establish Indigenous Day in Boulder, Colorado Community Involvement Awards: Multicultural Award for Government 2002, Boulder County Community Action Programs Service: National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition President of the Board Eldorado Springs Sewer Local Improvement District Committee 2011-2015 Volunteer Ranger for U.S. Forest Service, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area Reading to End Racism Boulder Council-literacy based K-8, since 2002. Anti-Racism trainer for Reading to End Racism and the YWCA of Boulder County Boulder Valley Schools, Indian Ed. Parent Comm., 1985-2005. American Indian Youth Leadership Institute, Planning Committee/presenter Women’s Studies Advisory Board, University of Colorado, 2004-2006. YWCA of Boulder County Bd of Dir. 1998-2004 Sec’y: Natural Res. Law Ctr Univ. of Colo. School of Law, Bd of Dir., 1991-94, 2000. Indian Child Welfare Act Task Force–Denver Indian Family Res. Ctr, 2000-2001. Denver Indian Health and Family Services, Bd of Dir., 1985-88. Women's Foundation of Colorado, Board Member, 1986-87. School Board member, Turtle Mountain Comm. Sch., Belcourt, ND 1976-78.

Past Research/Research Publications:

• Essay, “Why I Opted Out of the Cobell Settlement”, http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ict_sbc/why-i-opted-out-of-the- cobell-settlement 
• Essay, The New Money Changers: Predatory Lending in Indian Country http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ictarchives/2008/04/28/decoteau- the-new-money-changers-79600 Native American Asset Watch: Rethinking Asset-Building in Indian Country, First Nations Development Institute 2009, available at www.firstnations.org. 
• Turtle Mountain Tribal Appellate Court Opinion –opinions available on request Essay, “Effects of Non-Indian Development on Indian Water Rights,” Tribal Water Rights, 
• Essays in Contemp. Law, Policy, and Economics, eds John E. Thorson, Sarah Britton, and Bonnie B. Colby 2006, U .of AZ Press. 
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Constitution Convention and Revision Process - 2001-2002, Project Peacemaker, Turtle Mountain Comm. College. Review of Indian Law Cases in the Supreme Court, Nat’l Clearinghouse Rev., 1991. 
• Access of Urban Indians to Health Care, Nat’l Clearinghouse Rev., Sum. 1986
• Tribal Taxation: Issues Left Open After Merrion v. Jicarilla, Indian Law Support Ctr. Rptr, Winter 1985. 

Professional Presentations:

• since 2000 Native Asset-Building Coalitions: organized a national conference in June 2009.
• Predatory Lending in Indian Country: presentations on at national meetings, including NCAI and the Native American Indian Housing Council and testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in June 2008.
• Law Professors of Color Conference April, 2008, University of Denver Law School: Topic: Indian Law: the Asset-Stripping Effects of Indian Law and Policy.
• Training for Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Judicial Branch: 2days, January 2007. Co-planner, presenter on several topics.
• Indian Law Summit: Strengthening our Tribal Government Systems,
• Project Peacemaker Turtle Mountain Community College, August 1-2, 2005 Co Planner, Presenter.
• Ethical Issues in Representing Tribes, University of Wisconsin Annual Indian Law Conference, April 2005
• Tribal Government Reform, University of Washington Indian Law Conference, September, 2003.
• Tribal Sovereignty Discussion, Colorado Indian Bar Semi Annual Meeting, May, 2002
• Ethical Issues in Representing Indian Tribes: A Federal Perspective – Federal Bar Ass’n Indian Law Conf. Albuquerque, April 2001.
• Effects of Development on Indian Water Rights, Nat. Res. Law Ctr. Univ. of Colo. School of Law, June 2000. 

   Dr. Rhea N. DeCoteau is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist currently employed at the at the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility Indian Health Service as the diabetes nurse since 2014. Her professional interests revolve around Indigenous diabetes and related health topics. Her current role allows her to provide diabetes education and prevention, case management, health coaching and support to patients of all ages within the Turtle Mountain community.  

    She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2005 and Master's in Nursing- Education in 2009 both from the University of North Dakota. Her entire nursing career has been dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the Indigenous people. She has worked as an both an operating room and public health nurse within tribal communities. In addition, she has worked as a clinical and didactic instructor with the tribal college nursing LPN program. Most recently Dr. DeCoteau graduated from the University of Arizona with her PhD in Nursing focusing her dissertation research on health disparities and diabetes among American Indians; her dissertation is titled: “The Associations Among Seasonality, Food Insecurity, and Diet Quality on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among American Indian Young Adults”.

Publications/Presentations

• Hodgson, C.R., DeCoteau, R.N., Allison-Burbank, J.D., & Godfrey, T.M. (2022). An updated systematic review of risk and protective factors related to the resilience and well-being of Indigenous Youth in the United States and Canada. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 29(3), 136-195. doi: 10.5820/aian.2903.2022.136 
• DeCoteau, R.N., Loescher, L., & Crane, T. (2021, April). Research Among American Indians Utilizing a Unique Vulnerability Theory Approach (Poster Presentation). Presented at the Western Institute of Nursing Conference (Virtual). 
• Hodgson, C.R., DeCoteau, R.N., Allison-Burbank, J.D., & Godfrey, T.M. (2022, September). Social Ecological Resilience Factors for Improving the Mental Health Outcomes of Indigenous Adolescents in the United States and Canada: A Situation Specific Nursing Theory (Poster Presentation). Presented at Council for Advancement in Nursing Science (Virtual). 

     My place of birth, the Turtle Mountains is considered to be in the geographic center of North America. Turtle Mountain Chippewa believe we are at the center of creation. Imagine that, this belief that I am of the first people, born in the center of the world, into a race of people that have endured thousands of years; withstood genocide, the taking of our land, the subjugation of our language, culture, way of life and who show up statistics as less than 1% in any study. Imagine that and you can, because only human beings are given the gift of dream, of imagination, of intellect articulated.

     This way of thinking, of believing is addressed by Vine Deloria in the introduction of his book, Meta-Physics of Modern Existence, when he states, "No matter how well educated  an Indian may become, he or she always suspects that Western Culture is not an adequate representation of reality. Life therefore becomes a schizophrenic balancing act wherein one holds that the creation, migration and ceremonial stories of the tribe are true and that the Western European view of the world is also true. Obviously this situation is impossible although just how it becomes impossible remains a mystery to most Indians. The trick is somehow to relate what one feels to what one is taught to think."

     My nation has an enrollment of over 30 thousand members. Our reservation homeland is a stretch of land six by twelve miles with other bits of land located along the northern part of Minnesota. North Dakota and Montana as well as in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. My people are teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, writers, singers, dancers, architects, judges, and also represent a population of people that are 60% unemployed, live in poverty and struggle daily to survive. I come from a family of twelve children who my parents raised by working very hard, through teaching about the relationship to life and all that was sacred, and togetherness exemplified by maintaining circles of support that never went away. My father trapped and hunted to feed and support us while my mother gathered food from the woods and garden to see us through times when the only monetary support was welfare assistance. My father attended school to the 5th grade and my mother attended to the 7th grade. Early on in life, before we enrolled in school, we were taught to read and later, required to do well in school even though my parents did no complete their formal education. We didn't have electricity or plumbing in the two-room house in the bush, that we called home, but it was a place of warmth, and joy, where learning always took place.

     Much of the teaching was done through stories, songs, dances and role modeling. My teachers were my parents, grandparents, and extended family. The way I was taught prior to formal schooling was validated by Jerome Bruner and B.F. Skinner, noted educators and researchers who teach the concept that the culture of a people is reflected in and passed on through their educational system. The way a people choose to educate their children is most important. Serious attention to methods and content of education insures that special customs, values, and life-styles of the culture are passed on to the children. That was the manner in which Native children were taught in the beginning and as I was taught in the home as I was growing up. The history of formal education for Native children was contrary to ideals researchers and educators stated should occur, rather the opposite happened and education of Native children has been, as a whole, dismal. Our education has its roots in creation with traditional systems of knowledge culturally specific to our tribe. Legal and historical evidence demonstrates that Native tribes can rightfully control the institutionalized educational processes of their children althogh those attempts in formal education.

     Bernice Delorme has an L.L.M. (Master's in Law) in Taxation; a Juris Doctorate with an Indian Law Certification and 18 years as General Counsel for 3 tribes; an M.S.W. with 30 years of child welfare experience; a B.S. in Business Administration and 20 years of Management and Personnel experience. She has as much volunteer experience as she has paid experience.

     She is currently the State Chaplain for the North Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She believes in giving back to her community.  Bernice is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

     Her interests include, tribal taxation authority, tribal government functioning, tribal governing documents and their use (or lack thereof), how people in the community can learn how tribal government should work, protection of tribal lakes and watersheds, the effect of the Catholic Church on tribal member identity and their vision of traditional teachings and practices, the effect of acculturation on male and female roles in Turtle Mountain society, rediscovering the Plains Ojibway history of Turtle Mountain, rediscovering the Treaties to which Turtle Mountain is a signatory, determining how the Pembina Band of Chippewa legally became the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, the Mide heritage of Turtle Mountain, the effect of off reservation appraisal on Turtle Mountain reservation land values.

    Kade is a professional archaeologist, historian, and planner with almost 30 years of experience working with tribal communities across the upper Midwest of and Great Plains regions.    

    Over the past decades, he has worked to promote cultural resource management and historic preservation on hundreds of federal and tribal projects – working with tribal partners, federal agencies, and others. He has worked directly for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and Red Lake Nation in cultural and natural resource management, transportation planning, and treaty and land research, and has assisted dozens of tribes develop their historic preservation programs in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming.  

    Kade is the author of several books on indigenous history – most recently writing an award-winning children's book on the life Charles Albert Bender, a White Earth Ojibwe, who was a of major league baseball hall of fame pitcher, published by the Minnesota Humanities Center.   

    Much of his recent work has been in creating innovative approaches to cultural resource management using GIS and spatial technology, working in treaty research, and in furthering transportation safety and management for Indian Reservation road systems.   

    Kade has served as the Tribal Archaeologist/Historic Preservation Officer for the Red Lake Nation since 2014, and currently resides in Minnesota with his family. 

Professional Memberships:  

• Register of Professional Archaeologists 
• Advisory Council on Tribal Transportation 
• National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers  

Recent Publications: 

• (2021) Old Crossing Treaty Day, Red Lake Nation Historic Preservation, Red Lake, MN. 
• (2020) Charles Albert Bender: National Hall of Fame Pitcher, Minnesota Native American Lives Series, Minnesota Humanities Center, St. Paul, MN. 
• (2019) Turtle Mountain Chiefs and Headmen, Independently Published.
  

     Dr. Donna Grandbois is an Associate Professor with a dual appointment in the School of Nursing and the Department of Public Health, NDSU. She is a Master's prepared psychiatric nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist program, UND) and has her PhD in gerontology. She teaches in the Master of Public Health graduate program in the American Indian Public Health Track and in the BSN -RN nursing degree program in the School of Nursing. She strives as a Team Member, Community Transformation Grant (CTG), State Leadership, Community Engagement, Tribal Community Pilot Projects Implementation Stage Hampton Faculty Fellow, and Spirit of Eagles American Indian Alaska Native Leadership Initiative on Cancer Research; Requires successful completion of coursework in (1) Cancer Health Disparities in AIAN, (2) Cancer and Co-morbid Conditions, (3) CBPR, (4) CBPR Evaluation, and (5) Grantsmanship.

     Dr. Grandbois areas of expertise includes resilience and empowerment at the individual and community level Gerontology and Native Americans/elders Vulnerable populations Health disparities related to trauma Aging and mental health issues Equitable distribution of comprehensive healthcare, educational, and economic resources.

Dr. Grandois’ past research and research publications include:

• Grandbois, D. M. & Sanders, G.F. (2009). The resilience of Native American Elders. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30 (9), 569-580.
• Selzler, B. & Grandbois, D. M. (2011). Best practices for psychological support of communities after a disaster, International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, (ISSN:1743-3509):Disaster Management and Human Health Risk II,www.witpress.com/journals.html.
• Grandbois, D. M. & Sanders, G. F. (2012). Resilience and stereotyping: The experience of Native American Elders. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 23 (4) Guest Editorial:
• Grandbois, D. M., Warne, D. & Ischiti, V. (2012). Impact of History and Culture on Nursing Care of Native American Elders, Journal of Gerontological Nursing,38 (10) 3-5
• Grandbois, D. M., Madison-Jacobs, R.C. & Sanders, G.F. (2009). A perspective of American Indian and Alaska Native Nurses. In H. Bessent (Ed.). Monograph: Minority Nurses in the New Century, Sponsored by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, 101-109
• Grandbois, D. M. & Moss, M. (2015). Northern Great Plains in American Indian Health and Nursing, M Moss (Ed.), 1st Edition, Springer Publishing Co. 

Dr. Grandbois professional presentations include:

• Grandbois, D. M. (2011). Resilience & Stereotyping: The Experience of Native American Elders, Peace, Good Mind, & Strength: Indigenous Principles of Health Disparities Research and Training for the Seven Generations, 23rd Annual Native Research Network Conference, Niagara Falls, New York, June 27-30, 2011
• Grandbois, D. M. (2013). An indigenous community's journey to access culturally appropriate healthcare. 141st Annual Meeting and Exposition, American Public Health Association, Boston, Mass. November 3, 2013
• Grandbois, D.M., & Danielson, R. (2014). Engaging Stakeholders of Research: American Indian Community- Health Needs Assessments. “Making Relatives for Community- Based Research. Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health (CRCAIH) Summit 2014, June 11 & 12, Bemidji, MN
• Grandbois, D.M., Danielson, R.; Yellowbird, W., Wallette, J., Alexander, C. & Cobb, S. (2014). A Native American Communities Journey to achieve culturally appropriate care. Resiliency, the Science of Strength, Native Research Network, 25th Anniversary Native Health Research Conference, June 1-5, 2014, Phoenix, AZ
• Danielson, R. & Grandbois, D. M. (2014). Demonstrating the Need for Culturally Appropriate Health Care: Results of an Urban American Indian Community Health Needs Assessment. Resiliency, the Science of Strength, Native Research Network, 25th Anniversary Native Health Research Conference, June 1-5, 2014, Phoenix, AZ
• Grandbois, D. M. (2015). Oral Presentation, Equipping Public Health Leaders Who Can Address the Health Issues in American Indian Communities through Culturally Congruent Approaches. American Public Health Association Meeting, Chicago, Ill. November 1-4

     I am currently an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. I currently work as the information specialist for the Indians into Medicine program and I am also the career coordinator for the Native Educator University Research Opportunity at the University of North Dakota. I am looking forward to completing my doctoral degree in Practice & Leadership and getting involved with a variety of research opportunities in the future. I hope to give back to my community located in Belcourt, ND. I have three beautiful children that I am so proud of and love very much!

     Honor Society recipient McNair Recipient Indians into Psychology Recipient Indians into Medicine Summer Counselor Upward Bound Summer Counselor Resident Teacher Doctoral Scholar Scholarly writing in the areas of: Education Programming Community based research Grant writing.

     ​I am currently an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. I currently work as the information specialist for the Indians into Medicine program and I am also the career coordinator for the Native Educator University Research Opportunity at the University of North Dakota. I am looking forward to completing my doctoral degree in Practice & Leadership and getting involved with a variety of research opportunities in the future. I hope to give back to my community located in Belcourt, ND. I have three beautiful children that I am so proud of and love very much!

     My professional interests include Organizational Development including strategic planning, leadership and professional development, research, policy and handbook creation or reform, community rebuilding, food sovereignty, and native nation rebuilding.

     Dr. Daniel Henry is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Dr. Henry is married to Corrilyn Henry and together they raise their children Brooklynn, Cody, Torance, and Connor.

     Dr. Henry has been involved in tribal education for over 20 years. He currently holds a B.S in Secondary Science from Turtle Mountain Community College (2012), a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2014) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2019).

     Dr. Henry is currently the Program Director of the Turtle Mountain Miikanaake Fatherhood program and was previously the Vice-President of Campus Services at United Tribes Technical College. Dr. Henry presently sits on various community and tribal committees and is committed to strengthening the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and is a member of Native Nation Rebuilders Cohort #11.

Mr. William Houle currently is employed full-time at Turtle Mountain Transportation in Belcourt, N.D. He is enrolled member in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. William Houle's professional interests include water quality and non-point source pollution. William's past research includes water quality data on streams, lakes, and ground water. 

     Dr. Tami Jollie-Trottier is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota. She is a clinical psychologist currently working on her hometown reservation located in Belcourt, ND. She received her BA in Psychology from Minot State University in 1999 and received her PhD in 2005 from the University of North Dakota. Dr. Jollie-Trottier then completed a 2-year fellowship in Health Psychology at UND School of Medicine and one-year of specialty training at the Eating Disorder and Neuropsychiatric Research Institutes in Fargo, ND.

     She currently works in the Behavioral Health Clinic and is honored to be providing health psychology services to her community members. As a psychologist, Dr. Jollie-Trottier has the opportunity to blend her passion for living a healthy lifestyle in her approach to therapy and wellness with her educational, cultural, and spiritual knowledge. She serves as a Community Advisor and IRB member for the Tribal Nations Research Group. Dr. Jollie-Trottier is an IHS Community Wellness Champion and is Alumni of the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program. She is one of the founders of Belcourt’s Medicine Moon Run, a 1/2 Marathon, which on its 7th year. The Medicine Moon Run focuses on challenging Indian Country to aspire to achieve wellness and balance through daily exercise.

     Joan LaFrance, Ed.D., is owner of Mekinak Consulting, a management and evaluation service in Seattle, Washington specializing in educational program evaluation, research, and management studies. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.  Joan received her doctorate Harvard University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington.

     Mekinak Consulting has a long history of evaluation of programs in Tribal Colleges and Universities, tribal and indigenous communities, and for non-profit organizations.  With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a grant to the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), she conducted the research and co-authored the book Indigenous Evaluation Framework: Telling Our Story in Our Place and Time. Currently, she is conducting research on the application of the Indigenous Evaluation Framework in three tribal college communities.  She was a founding member of the Indigenous Peoples in Evaluation Topical Interest Group in the American Evaluation Association.  She believes that traditional Indigenous voices and values will make significant contributions to evaluation theory and practice.

     In addition to her ongoing work in American Indian tribal communities, she is working projects in the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands to assess culturally relevant mathematics curriculum and climate change education projects.  She was the lead evaluator for CEMELA, a NSF funded four university consortia dedicated to research in mathematics learning among Latino populations. 

     Joan has taught research and evaluation methods in graduate programs for the University of Mary, Sitting Bull College, and University of Washington.  She has done municipal budgeting, program development and management, and curriculum development.  She has also worked as an internal consultant in the City of Seattle’s Performance Resource Group where she was involved in government improvement efforts such as performance measures, surveys of city residents and businesses, organizational research and organizational development. 

Professional Interests: Culturally Responsive Program Evaluation. 

Member: 

American Evaluation Association 

Affiliated Faculty: Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA), University of Illinois 

Publications: 

• LaFrance, J, Kirkhart, K.E., Nichols, R. (2014). Cultural Views of Validity: A Conversation. In S. Hood, R. Hopson, & H. Frierson (Eds), Continuing the Journey to Reposition Culture and Cultural Context in Evaluation Theory and Practice.  
• LaFrance, J., Nichols, R., & Kirkhart, K. E. (2012). Culture writes the script: On the centrality of context in indigenous evaluation. In D. J. Rog, J. L. Fitzpatrick, & R. F. Conner (Eds.), Context: A framework for its influence on evaluation practice. New Directions for Evaluation, 135, 59–74.  
• LaFrance, J, Nichols, R (2009), Indigenous Evaluation Framework: Telling our Story in Our Place and Time, Alexandria, VA: American Higher Education Consortium.   
• LaFrance, J., Crazy Bull, C. (2009) “Researching Ourselves Back to Life: Taking Control of the Research Agenda in Indian Country. D. Mertens & P. Ginsberg Eds. SAGE Handbook of Social Science Research Ethics, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.  
• LaFrance, J, Nichols, R. (2009) Reframing Evaluation:  Defining an Indigenous Evaluation Framework, Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation. 23 (2), pg. 13-31.
   

     Dr. Denise Lajimodere is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota. She has been involved in education for 37 years as an Elementary teacher and Principal, earning her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees from University of North Dakota.

     Dr. Lajimodere currently works as an assistant professor in the Educational Leadership program, North Dakota State University, Fargo. She is the current President of the National Native America Board School Healing Coalition (N-NABS-HC). Denise is also a traditional Jingle Dress dancer; poet – Dragonfly Dance, Michigan State University Press, and a Birch Bark Biting artist

     Yvonne Larocque is BIA Superintendent at Fort Totten Agency, Fort Totten, ND. Yvonne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of North Dakota and a Master’s Degree in General Administration from Central Michigan University.

     Yvonne was previously employed as the Self Determination Officer in Aberdeen, SD and was a Level II Awarding Official. Duties included administering PL 93-638 Contracts and Grants, including construction contracts, for all Tribes and Tribal Organizations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

     Yvonne is married to Delbert "Pepper" LaRocque and together they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Yvonne's interests/hobbies include watching sports of all kinds, Netflix and working on crafts and DIY projects.

     Dr. Shane Martin is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (TMBCI) Tribe. He lives in Belcourt, N.D. and works at the local high school, Turtle Mountain Community High School on the TMBCI reservation. Dr. Martin received his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of North Dakota.

     Dr. Martin’s professional interests include helping children become successful citizens. He does this with leadership and mentoring and serves as a volunteer. He enjoys helping the local community grow through infrastructure and programming.

     His areas of expertise are in community development and youth programming. He has assisted in many endeavors across the reservation in construction and programming and he feels that is his biggest asset.

     Dr. Martin professional memberships and involvements include but are not limited to a current member of the Tribal Health Board, North Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, Tribal Research Review Board, Turtle Mountain Middle School Parent Action Committee, Byron Dorgan Youth Wellness Center Board-President, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Certified Strength and Conditioning Association, Department of Public Instruction Certified Administrator and Educator, and was a past Board Member of the North Dakota High School Athletic Association.

     Past Research: Exploring The Impact and Benefits of a Health Education Program at Turtle Mountain National Institute of Health and Turtle Mountain Community College-"National Youth Sports Program" diabetes prevention research initiative.

     Past Presentations: Aberdeen Area Youth Wellness Champion presentation in Aberdeen Glazier Sports Presentation in Minneapolis Byron Dorgan Youth Wellness Summit NDHSAA Presentation on Native American Sport Programs and Capacity Building 

     Dr. Amber Henderson is a tenured Associate Professor of Management and Interim Department Chair of Accounting, Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, and Economics at Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She earned her Doctorate in Business Administration from Anderson University (Indiana). Her research interests include managerial and economic topics as they relate to tribal communities. She has prior experience in bank operations and as a regulatory analyst in the electric and natural gas industries. Dr. Henderson is also an honored member of the Native Governance Center's Native Nations Rebuilders. Some of her recent accomplishments include the 2021 NSU Sanford Faculty Professional Development Award, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's 40 Under 40 Award Recipient, Salzburg's Global Forum Young Cultural Innovator Fellow, and Harvard's Project on American Indian Economic Development Next Horizon fellow attendee. She also serves as an advisor for NSU's FBLA Collegiate Organization. 

"My research interests include higher education, managerial, and economic topics, specifically as they relate to Indigenous and global communities."

Recent Publications Include:

• Bockorny, K., Henderson, A., Merkel, B., School

 Meredith McCoy is an Assistant Professor of American Studies and History at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Her father, David McCoy, is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Meredith holds graduate degrees in Education and American Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Studies. Her research examines how Indigenous families, educators, and community leaders have long repurposed tools of settler violence into tools for Indigenous life, with a particular focus on the history of schooling and federal funding for Native students. Meredith has previously worked as a middle school teacher, and she has also taught courses at both Turtle Mountain Community College and Freedom University.  

    I am currently completing my first book, tentatively titled On Our Own Terms: Archives of Indigenous Educational Survivance. This book offers context for recent federal education legislation by examining 200 years of Indigenous resistance through education policy and finance. Recently, I began research for my second book, a history of Ojibwe childhoods in the 1940s and 1950s under relocation. This book brings together family history, archival research, and oral histories to share stories of Indigenous life in urban spaces in the years after WWII. My other history-focused publications include histories of Indigenous resistance in schools, a literature review of research related to federal boarding schools for the Native American Rights Fund, and materials helping teachers prepare to teach the history of federal boarding schools.   

    In addition to History, I work in education, where I research federal policy, federal finance, and K-12 social studies. I write as part of the Turtle Island Social Studies Collective (the other members are Leilani Sabzalian, Alutiiq; Lakota Hobia, Potawatomi; and Sarah Shear, non-Native), where we research ways to center Indigenous perspectives and histories in K-12 classrooms. Currently, I am also involved in curriculum writing initiatives in Chicago with the Newberry Library and Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative. I previously worked with Teaching Tolerance as a curriculum writer and podcast co-host for the Teaching Hard History: American Slavery project.   

My recent publications include:  

• McCoy, Meredith L., and Jeffrey D. Burnette. “An Exploratory Analysis of Elementary and Secondary Education Funding Levels for American Indians and Alaska Natives from 1980 to 2017.” Journal of Education Finance 48, no. 2 (2022). 
• Turtle Island Social Studies Collective. “Indigenous Futurities and the Responsibilities of Social Studies.” In Critical Race Theory and Social Studies Futures: From the Nightmare of Racial Realism to Dreaming Out Loud, edited by Amanda E. Vickery and Noreen Naseem Rodríguez. New York: Teachers College Press, 2022. 
• Turtle Island Social Studies Collective. “Insurgence Must Be Red: Connecting Indigenous Studies and Social Studies Education for Anticolonial Praxis.” In Insurgent Social Studies: Scholar-Educators Disrupting Erasure & Marginality, edited by Sarah B. Shear, Natasha Hakimali Merchant, and Wayne Au. Myers Education Press, 2022. 
• McCoy, Meredith L., Emma Elliott-Groves, Leilani Sabzalian, and Megan Bang. “Restoring Indigenous Systems of Relationality.” Center for Humans and Nature, October 7, 2020. https://www.humansandnature.org/restoring-indigenous-systems-of-relationality. Reprinted in Minding Nature, Vol. 14. No. 3 (Fall 2021).  
• McCoy, Meredith L., Leilani Sabzalian, and Tommy Ender. “Alternative Strategies for Family History Projects: Rethinking Practice in Light of Indigenous Perspectives.” The History Teacher 54, no. 3 (2021): 473–501. 
• McCoy, Meredith L., and Villeneuve, Matthew. “Reconceiving Schooling: Centering Indigenous Experimentation in Indian Education History.” History of Education Quarterly 60, no. 4 (2020): 487–519. 
• Jeffries, Hasan K., and Meredith L. McCoy. “Teaching Hard History Podcast, Season 2.” Teaching Hard History: American Slavery, 2019-2020.  

I am currently the owner of The Diabetes Health & Wellness Center, Inc., (DHWC) in Highwood IL.  Our clinic serves the communities of Illinois and Wisconsin. At the DHWC, I am working in Family Practice and as a Mental Health Professional treating and diagnosing mental health conditions.  My professional interest remains Diabetes Care, as I specialize in Diabetes Care.  My staff and I, treat, prevent and educate our patient daily to give them the best medical outcomes for their diagnosis.    On my free time, I am currently working as the Vice President of Chapter Nu Upsilon, Sigma Theta Tau, I love attending conferences and performing Evidence Based Practice to improve healthcare Globally.    I have published, my work in diabetes research called  "Anishinaabeg Path to Knowledge."  

 The founder of The Diabetes Health & Wellness Center, Inc., Dr. Melissa McGee, DNP, FNP is an accomplished Doctor of Nursing Practice with more than 20 years’ experience in medicine. Dr. McGee’s education experience includes Associate Science Occupational Therapy Assistant, Bachelor of Applied Health Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice. While working on her doctoral degree she created a new approach to diabetes education and this Quality Improvement Research project, was used for obtaining Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The research was nominated for Bernard A. Kershner champions QI innovation. Dr. McGee’s research was presented in Albert, Canada, (2019) Sigma's 30th International Nursing Research Congress, "Anishinaabeg Path to Knowledge," as a Rising Star of Research.  

She has collaborated with Senators, provided Congressional support and urged legislators to support programs that impact diabetes.   She is a member and Vice President of the Sigma Chapter: Nu Upsilon Chapter of Sigma serves on Nu Upsilon Governance Committee.  Dr. McGee is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indians of North Dakota; a member of Tribal Nations Research Group and a member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is highly committed and motivated to a high standard of providing innovative quality health care. WEBSITE: DHWC.net 

     Dr. Jessica R. Metcalfe is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt. North Dakota. Dr. Metcalf is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Arizona. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on Native designers of high fashion, and is in the process of editing her dissertation for a book manuscript.

     She is the main author of the website, Beyond Buckskin, which focuses on all topics related to Native American fashion, and is the owner of the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, which promotes and sells Native-made couture, streetwear, jewelry, and accessories. She has taught courses in American Indian studies, studio art, art history, and literature at tribal colleges and state universities. She has presented at numerous national conferences, lectured at museums, and co-curated exhibitions.

     Her current work focuses on Native American art, clothing, and design from all time periods, with an emphasis on contemporary artists.

     Melvin is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota.  Melvin is the Director of Scholarships and Programs for the American Indian Graduate Center, Inc. located in Albuquerque NM. He is President of the National Indian Education Association (2014-2015) and remains active in the legislative and outreach work done by the association.

     As a tribal college student, Melvin worked with the TMCC Rural Systemic Initiative giving support to the professional staff. Melvin attended the University of North Dakota where he earned a BS in Education and MS in Educational Leadership. During his pursuit of a Master's, Melvin worked as the Native American student recruiter, program coordinator for American Indian Student Services and a grant coordinator for a federal Dep't of Education teacher training grant. From UND, Melvin managed both the Success for the Future grant and Minnesota Indian Scholarship programs for the Minnesota Department of Education Office of Indian Education. He was briefly the Director of Recruitment and Student Diversity for the University of Minnesota School of Public Health prior to his current position at AIGC. Melvin enjoyed working with AIGC, first as a scholarship reviewer, then as a read trainer, for the Gates Millennium Scholars program and pursued full-time employment with the organization. Melvin has worked to bring the scholarship program to the Internet, made minor changes to the processing of applications and spends time interacting with students, institutions, family members, community programs, tribes and donors to provide comprehensive services beyond a scholarship check.

     As a professional member of ACPA (College Student Educators International) Melvin strives to bring the voice of our community to the academy and to the Centralized Accreditation Standards process. He lives in Albuquerque, NM with his husband, John and their 3 dogs; however, he is available to travel upon request.

Melanie is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; Belcourt, North Dakota.  Melanie received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of North Dakota and a Masters in Public Health in community health education with a concentration in health disparities from the University of Minnesota. This fall Melanie will be entering her 5th year in the PhD in Epidemiology social behavioral track program at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health as a doctoral candidate. Melanie is a community engaged scholar and has worked 10 years on various research projects within the American Indian community. Melanie is also trained in community based participatory research and mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research methods.  Currently Melanie is the Operational Director at the American Indian Public Health Resource Center housed at North Dakota State University. Melanie is prepared to serve American Indian people utilizing her knowledge, skills, and abilities which she has acquired through her education and experience working with Native communities. Melanie has a wealth of experience working in community health education and research and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Native communities. 

Dr. Tyler J. Parisien is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and currently serves as faculty at Turtle Mountain College. He holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Concordia University, a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota. Dr. Parisien’s professional interests include Indigenous education, higher education leadership, faculty development, and public health. He has extensive experience in accreditation, curriculum development, and student success strategies. His leadership has contributed to the development and oversight of several academic programs and grant-funded initiatives supporting Native student achievement. He is a lifelong advocate for culturally responsive education and research, having published on topics such as decolonizing methodologies, Indigenous STEM education, and public health equity. He has served as Principal Investigator and Co-PI on grants through the U.S. Department of Education, NIH, and NSF. A Sequoyah Fellow and lifetime member of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), Dr. Parisien also serves on the Faculty Advisory Board for the American Indian College Fund and reviews scholarships for Native Forward and the Cobell Scholarship. His dedication to advancing Indigenous representation in higher education has earned him national recognition, including the NCAIED 40 Under 40 Award. Dr. Parisien is deeply committed to serving Tribal communities through education, leadership, and mentorship, and continues to promote systems that support equity, access, and cultural sustainability in education. 

Certifications

• Higher education leadership and administration
• Accreditation and compliance (HLC, NAACLS, ND DPI)
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Faculty supervision, evaluation, and mentorship
• Budget management and fiscal oversight
• Student advising and retention strategies
• K–12 and postsecondary pipeline programs
• Public health education and leadership
• Biomedical and Indigenous research
• STEM program development and mentorship
• Language and culture education
• Medical laboratory and clinical education
• Grant writing and management

Areas of Expertise

• Higher education leadership and administration
• Accreditation and compliance (HLC, NAACLS, ND DPI)
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Faculty supervision, evaluation, and mentorship
• Budget management and fiscal oversight
• Student advising and retention strategies
• K–12 and postsecondary pipeline programs
• Public health education and leadership
• Biomedical and Indigenous research
• STEM program development and mentorship
• Language and culture education
• Medical laboratory and clinical education
• Grant writing and management

Professional Interests:
Dr. Tyler Parisien’s professional interests lie at the intersection of higher education leadership, Indigenous education, health sciences, and public health. He is passionate about accreditation, curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and program assessment. His work often focuses on improving educational pathways for Native students, integrating Indigenous methodologies in STEM education, and supporting student success through culturally responsive teaching and leadership practices.

Memberships & Involvements:
Dr. Parisien is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and an active member of several national organizations. He is a Sequoyah Fellow and lifetime member of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), a Faculty Advisory Board member for the American Indian College Fund, and a scholarship reviewer for Native Forward and the Cobell Scholarship. He also serves as an AIRO Advisor and has held leadership roles in AISES at the chapter, regional, and national levels. 

 Recent Publications:

Parisien, T. et al. (2022). “Recruiting Native Students into Science: Evaluating the Impact of Biomedical Genetic Research at Turtle Mountain Community College.” Tribal College and University Research Journal, Volume 6.

Parisien, T. (2021). “To Have a Heart: Health Education at Turtle Mountain Community College.” Tribal College Journal, 32(4).

Johnson, C. & Parisien, T. (2022). “Research with a Purpose: Decolonizing Methodologies at Turtle Mountain Community College.” Tribal College Journal, 33(4).

Contributing author in Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation: An Evidence-Based Approach. Springer Publishing (2021). 

     Jona Peltier “Migizi Ode’ Ikwe” Eagle Heart Woman (Chippewa), Co-Owner of Seven Stone Center For Behavioral Health and Healing, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She is currently licensed through the state of North Dakota. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Dakota. She received her undergraduate degree from Minot State University in 2006. In 2004, she graduated from the Turtle Mountain Community College with an Associate of Arts degree. She worked the last eight years at Indian Health Service in the Department of Behavioral Health as Clinical Social Worker. Previous to working at IHS, Jona worked for Healthy Marriage Initiative as a therapist. Jona is married to Evan Peltier and they have two boys Easton (7) & Chase (6). Jona enjoys watching and playing sports especially watching the Minnesota Vikings! Jona enjoys CrossFit, weight-training, interior design and decorating, traveling, cooking, canning, and spending time with family and friends.

     Jona has nearly ten years of experience in behavioral health and counseling. Jona also works at the Turtle Mountain Community College as an adjunct faculty teaching social work and psychology classes. She serves as a mentor to many young students and professionals in the area. She has wealth of knowledge and experience working with preschool, young children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults in the area of Anxiety, Depression, Suicide Ideation, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Juvenile Delinquency, Attachment disorders, Anger, Stress Management, and Personality disorders. Jona specializes in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is certified in Thought Field Therapy and utilizes Positive Psychology daily in her practice. Jona is also trained in Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS). Jona has served as the Mental Health Consultant for the surrounding area Head Start programs, providing mental health evaluation, intensive behavior intervention and modification for past eight years. She is serving as a liaison for the Turtle Mountain Tribe and the North Dakota Centers for Persons with Disabilities to coordinate care for early identification and intervention of developmental disorders in tribal preschool programs. Jona serves as the Coordinator for The Nurturing Parenting Program of the Turtle Mountains, providing family based services to parents and children of the Turtle Mountains. She coordinates and works closely with local Tribal Child Welfare programs to provide Mental Health Services to high risks families.

     Jona is a coalition member of Tribal Nations Research Group of TMBCI, in which, they are currently working on a community health assessment for the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Reservation. Jona is currently enrolled in a program to become a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS). Jona is an active member for the Annual Wellness Committee the puts on an annual Wellness Conference for the past ten years. Jona wants to continue to learn and develop knowledge and skills in the area of Behavioral Health to provide the best practices to the people she serves.

Barbara is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt North Dakota. She currently owns and operates Schmitt Strategies, a Native-owned consulting firm that specializes in Community and Economic Development. With almost 30 years of experience in Community and Economic Development, Dr. Schmitt is committed to assisting tribal communities in planning and implementing economic endeavors on the reservations in the upper Midwest. Both as a team player and as an independent worker, she has been successful in contributing to projects throughout Indian Country in areas such as education, community and economic development, and research and development. Dr. Schmitt has a PhD in Education from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., a MBA and a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND. 

     Janie Schroeder, Juris Doctor, is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Janie resides in Grand Forks, ND and is currently employed full-time.  Janie has a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration and Indian Studies and a Juris Doctorate and an Indian Law Certificate. She has an interest in data collection among reservations to analyze and create policy based on that data analysis to improve socioeconomic conditions. Janie has a large interest in policy and administration. 

     Janie is a affiliated with the Native American Bar Association, and National Native American Law Student Association Alumni. Janie published Elder Abuse in Indian Country and is currently writing a chapter on the Native American Cultural Perspective on Elder Abuse. Janie has also presented an Overview of Elder Abuse in Indian Country.  

      Courtney Davis is an outreach coordinator with the National Resource Center on Native American Aging with the Center for Rural Health (CRH) at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. Prior to joining the CRH, Courtney was a program coordinator for American Indian Student Services and the Native American Program liaison for the Grand Forks Public School District.   Originally from Belcourt, N.D., Courtney is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, she attended Turtle Mountain Community College and UND. She earned an associate of arts degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business administration-management. She has also earned a master's degree in educational studies, from UND, and has a graduate certificate in learning analytics. 

• Davis Souvannasacd, Courtney. 2022. Independent Study Research Project for Graduate Degree Requirements titled “An Examination of Emergent Leadership – The response to COVID-19 within a tribal community: Social, Cultural, and Educational Implications.”  
• Native American 40 under 40. National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Maricopa, Arizona. December 10, 2021  
• Davis Souvannasacd, Courtney. 2020. Celebrating Silver. North Dakota Medicine. 45(1). 12-14. Retrieved from: https://med.und.edu/nd-medicine/_files/docs/spring-2020.pdf  
• North Dakota Change Network Cohort 6 National Arts Strategies   
• Inaugural Cohort of Indigenous Public Health Leaders Program National Network of Public Health Institutes  
• Women's Fund Leadership Academy  Community Foundation of Grand Forks & East Grand Forks   
• Native Nations Rebuilders Cohort 11 Native Governance Center  
• Charter member, Superintendent’s Family Engagement Cabinet  North Dakota Department of Public Instruction   
• Board Member Board President (Dec 2020 - Dec 2022) Board Vice President (Dec 2022) High Plains Fair Housing 

Dr. Wayne Stein is an enrolled Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; Belcourt, North Dakota. Wayne works closely with the seven tribal colleges (TCU) of Montana and several others around the country.  He has also consulted with several tribes interested in starting their own TCU.  Teaching responsibilities in the College of Letters and science focused on undergrad Native American Studies in Literature and contemporary issues of American Indians; while his focus in the Native American Studies (NAS) masters graduate studies program were TCU’s, minorities in higher education, and publishing has focused primarily on TCU’s, but has done some research and writing in the areas of Indian gaming and faculty of color in higher education.

Wayne J. Stein is Professor of Native American Studies & Higher Education Studies at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.

April E. Walker P.E., C.F.M. is a North Dakota native who graduated from Turtle Mountain Community High School. She went on to North Dakota State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She currently resides in West Fargo ND and works as a private consultant. She began her career as a highway designer for the state of California but moved to Fargo in 2002 where she worked for the City of Fargo as a Traffic Engineer. In 2006 she became a registered Professional Engineer and was hired to serve as the City’s Storm Sewer Utility Engineer which put her at the forefront of a tumultuous time with regard to floodplain management, emergency flood fighting, flood risk reduction, and mitigation issues. The Red River experienced major flooding in all but one of her 6 years in this position, including the flood of record, which peaked at 22.8 feet above flood stage. In 2012 she became the City Engineer and her scope of responsibility grew. She managed a Capital improvement plan that expanded from a total investment of $40.8 Million in 2012 to a record breaking $263 Million in 2014. Following 2014 it consistently exceeded $100 Million per year. This increased investment in infrastructure helped the City address the needs of existing neighborhoods and expand the City. During her tenure April helped to develop and began the implementation of a flood protection plan that has resulted in the construction of 20 miles of permanent Levees and Floodwalls within the City. In her new role as a consultant April is seeking to bring the skills she has acquired to benefit a broader population. April also serves as an Adjunct Professor for NDSU, she is a member of the City of West Fargo’s Planning Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the FM Area Foundation.

I am a licensed professional engineer in ND and SD. I am a Certified Floodplain Manager and a member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers. In addition I have experience in the fields of Water Resources, Transportation Engineering, and in local government administration and planning.

     Misty Wilkie-Condiff, PhD, is an enrolled member of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Tribe. Dr. Wilkie-Condiff's professional interests are higher education, American Indian Education, providing quality education to nursing students, and minority organ donation and transplantation. Dr. Wilkie-Condiff's areas expertise include nursing, organ donation and transplantation, nursing research, and higher education. She is currently employed full-time at Bemidji State University.

Professional Memberships/Involvements:
Sigma Theta Tau American Indian Science and Engineering Society President- National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association Board of Director- Association for Multicultural Affairs In Transplantation 

Past research and research publications:

• Thesis research: Beliefs and Attitudes of American Indians Towards Organ Donation- 2001
• Dissertation research: The Lived Experience of American Indians with Organ Donation and Transplantation- 2009
• Research project with American Indian nursing students- consult with NDSU in 2014
• Research project with American Indian nurses- consult with NDSU 2015
• Current project (awaiting IRB approval): Quality of Life/Health After Organ Donation and Transplantation in American Indians Currently working on publication. 

Professional Presentations:

• 2015 “American Indians and the Organ Donation Process” presented At the 23rd Annual Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation conference in Detroit, Michigan
• 2015 “The Lived Experience of American Indian Organ Donors and Recipients: Stories of Cultural, Physical and Spiritual Triumph” Keynote Speaker at the Aotearoa Indigenous Nurses Conference, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2014 “American Indian Lived Experience with Organ Transplantation” presented at 22nd Annual Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation conference, Houston, Texas.
• 2014 “Journey of a Nurse Educator” presented at 3rd Annual Pathways to Nursing: Sharing Our Journeys Conference, Bismarck, North Dakota.
• 2014 “American Indian Organ Donation and Transplantation: The Lived Experience” presented at 13th Native Women & Men’s Wellness Conference, San Diego, California
• 2010 Keynote Speaker, “From Poverty to Prestige: A Native's Journey in Nursing “ presented at St. Cloud State University Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
• 2010 “The Experience of American Indians with Organ Donation and Transplantation” presented at 16th Annual Turtle Mountain Wellness Conference, Belcourt, North Dakota.
• 2010 “The Lived Experience of American Indians and the Organ Donation and Transplantation Process” presented at Bois Forte Diabetes Conference, Tower, Minnesota.
• 2007 Keynote Speaker, “Research trajectory from an indigenous perspective” presented at St. Cloud State University Sigma Theta Tau Induction Ceremony, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
• 2005 “Overcoming Barriers in Graduate Education” presented at the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association 1st Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
• 2005 “Mentorship and Role Modeling for Native Nursing Students” National Alaskan Native American Indian Nurses Association Conference, Washington D.C.
• 2004 “Minority Graduate Student Perspective” presented at Research Day, University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• 2003 Presented “Beliefs and Attitudes of a northern Minnesota American Indian Tribe Towards Organ Donation” at the National Alaska Native American Indian Nursing Association Summit IX, Park City, Utah
• 2003 Accepted for poster presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (peer reviewed). “Beliefs and Attitudes of a northern Minnesota American Indian Tribe Towards Organ Donation” in April 2003
• 2002 “Beliefs and Attitudes of a northern Minnesota American Indian Tribe Toward Organ Donation” To faculty of University of Minnesota and University of North Dakota and community members, 2nd Annual Bridge Retreat, White Earth Indian Reservation, Mahnomen, Minnesota.