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The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

Working for Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation for Boarding School Survivors and Descendants

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You are here: Home / About Us / Board and Staff

Board and Staff

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

Our Mission: To lead in the pursuit of understanding and addressing the ongoing trauma created by the U.S. Indian Boarding School policy.

How We Started

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in June 2012 under the laws of the Navajo Nation.

We were formed after a national symposium in 2011. Leaders from the U.S. and Canada came together to discuss the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the need for such a process in the U.S.

NABS was created to develop and implement a national strategy that increases public awareness and cultivates healing for the profound trauma experienced by individuals, families, communities, American Indian and Alaska Native Nations resulting from the U.S. adoption and implementation of the Boarding School Policy of 1869.

NABS was fiscally sponsored by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) until it became financially independent in 2015.

Board of Directors

Sandy square
Sandy White Hawk
President
Sicangu Lakota

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Jim square
James LaBelle Sr.
1st Vice President
Inupiaq

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Ruth square
Ruth Anna Buffalo
2nd Vice President
Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation

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Maka square
Maka Black Elk
Secretary
Oglala Lakota Nation

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Joannie square
Joannie Suina Romero
Treasurer
Pueblo of Cochiti

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Rochelle square
Rochelle Ettawageshik
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

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Juana square
Juana Majel-Dixon, Ph.D.
Pauma-Yuima Band of Luiseño Indians

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Travis square
Travis Miller
Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans

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Michael square
Michael Yellow Bird
Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation

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Staff

1
Deborah Parker
Chief Executive Officer
Tulalip Tribes

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4
Samuel B. Torres, Ed.D.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Mexica/Nahua

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2
Stephen Curley, MALIS
Director of Digital Archives
Diné/Navajo Nation

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Theresa
Deidra
3
Theresa Sheldon
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Tulalip Tribes

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DEIDRE WHITEMAN
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
MESKWAKI/DAKOTA/
OJIBWE/HIDATSA

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Jennifer Blevins, Ph.D.
Director of Operations

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6
Iko'tsimiskimaki "Ekoo" Beck
Community Engagement Coordinator
Blackfeet/Red River Métis

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Lacey
Lacey Kinnart
Program and Operations Coordinator
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Ojibwe

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Untitled design
Fallon Carey
Digital Archives Assistant
Cherokee Nation

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Previous Board Members
We are grateful to our previous Board Members for their service and commitment to Boarding School Healing. Thank you!

Sarah Eagle Heart, Oglala Lakota
Marlene Helgemo, Ho-Chunk Nation (2014-2020)
Vance Blackfox, Cherokee Nation (2017-2019)
Henry Cagey, Lummi Nation (2017-2019)
Jacob Davis, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2016-2018)
Jerilyn DeCoteau, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2014-2018)
Denise Lajimodiere, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (2012-2018)
Patricia Whitefoot, Yakama Nation (2014-2017)
Chase Iron Eyes, Standing Rock (2015-2017)
Andrea Carmen, Yaqui Nation (2014-2016)
Elicia Goodsoldier, Dine/Spirit Lake Dakota (2015-2016)
Edna Brillion, Haida/Cree
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.

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Boarding School Healing Coalition
2525 E. Franklin Ave., Ste. 120
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612.354.7700

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