NABS

Meet Our Board

Chief Benjamin Barnes

Board Member

Shawnee

Ramona Klein, Ed. D

1st Vice President

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

James LaBelle, Sr.

Board Member

Inupiaq

Theresa Sheldon

Treasurer

Tulalip Tribes

Rochelle Ettawageshik

Secretary

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Juana Majel-Dixon, Ph.D.

2nd Vice President

Pauma-Yuima Band of Luiseño Indians

Agnes Attakai, MPA

Board Member

Diné/Navajo Nation

Rory Wheeler

Board Member

Seneca Nation

Meet Our Staff

Deborah Parker

Chief Executive Officer

Tulalip/Yaqui/Apache

Samuel B. Torres, Ed.D.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Mexica/Nahua

Jennifer Blevins

Director of Operations

Sandy White Hawk

Elder-In-Residence

Sicangu Lakota

Sherrie Catanach

Director of Communications

Pueblo of Pojoaque

Dr. Ponka-We-Victors-Cozad

Director of Policy & Advocacy

Tohono O’odham Nation/Ponca Tribe

Jason Packineau

Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation

Deidre Whiteman

Director of Research and Education

Meskwaki, Dakota, Ojibwe, Hidatsa

Fallon Carey

Digital Archives Director

Cherokee Nation

Lacey Kinnart

Oral History Program Co-Director

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Ojibwe

Charlee Brissette

Oral History Program Co-Director

Sault St. Marie Tribe of Ojibwe

Serene Thin Elk, MA, LPC-MH, LAC

Director of Indigenous Mindfulness

Ihanktonwan Dakota

Tom Kinley

Human Resources Manager

Lummi Nation

Iko’tsimiskimaki Beck

Healing Program Manager

Blackfeet/Red River Métis

Dr. Denise Lajimodiere

Oral Historian

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Markie Bear Eagle

Oral Historian

Oglala Lakota

Tyesha Ignacio

Policy & Development Associate

Diné

Kathy Howkumi

Grants Manager

Pueblo of Nambe

Alicia Horne

Executive Assistant

Tulalip

Arlin Yazzie

Data Operations Analyst

Diné/Navajo Nation

River Freemont

Digital Archives Specialist

Umoⁿhoⁿ Tribe of Nebraska and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Descendant

Tsinni Russell

Digital Archives Specialist

Diné

Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell

Oral History Senior Coordinator

Native Hawaiian

Kelley Hummingbird

Research Associate

Cherokee Nation

Jo Troxell

Oral History Project Coordinator

Potawatomi

Previous Board Members

We are grateful to our previous Board Members for their service and commitment to boarding school healing. Thank you!

  • Travis Miller, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans (2020-2025)
  • Maka Akan Najin Black Elk, Oglala Sioux Tribe (2020-2023)
  • Ruth Anna Buffalo, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (2018-2025)
  • Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (2018-2024)
  • Dr. Joannie M. Suina, Ed.D., Pueblo of Cochiti (2018-2023)
  • Vance Blackfox, Cherokee Nation (2017-2019)
  • Henry Cagey, Lummi Nation (2017-2019)
  • Jacob Davis, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2016-2018)
  • Sandy White Hawk, Sicangu Lakota (2015-2022)
  • Sarah Eagle Heart, Oglala Lakota (2015-2021)
  • Chase Iron Eyes, Standing Rock (2015-2017)
  • Elicia Goodsoldier, Dine/Spirit Lake Dakota (2015-2016)
  • Marlene Helgemo, Ho-Chunk Nation (2014-2020)
  • Jerilyn DeCoteau, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2014-2018)
  • Patricia Whitefoot, Yakama Nation (2014-2017)
  • Andrea Carmen, Yaqui Nation (2014-2016)
  • Denise Lajimodiere, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2012-2018)
  • Edna Brillion, Haida/Cree (2012-2015)
  • Rosemary Gibbons, Mimbres Apache/ Chicana
  • Don Coyhis, Mohican

Coalition

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is a membership organization comprised of over 700 Native and Non-Native members and organizations committed to boarding school healing.

All Members of the Board of Directors are Regular Members of the Coalition.

Learn How to Become a Coalition Member