Ruth Anna Buffalo is originally from Mandaree, North Dakota. She is also a citizen of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation and a descendant of the Chiricahua band of Apache. She is a public health professional and community organizer. Currently, she is the Chair of the ND Human Rights Coalition and Special Projects Coordinator for the First Nations Women's Alliance. Ruth holds a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and Master degrees in Management, Business Administration, and Public Health.