Born in Pryor, Oklahoma, and has also resided in Arcata, San Francisco, Woodland, and Los Angeles, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and Tahlequah, OK.

 

Education

PhD, American Studies, University of New Mexico

BA, English (Creative Writing), San Francisco State University

BA, Anthropology (Cultural), San Francisco State University

 

Cherokee Nation

 

Tribal Councilor, representing the At Large citizens (2007-2015)

     One of the first two elected councilors to represent the At Large Cherokee citizens, along with Jack Baker. Elected with over 67% of the           vote 

     in each of two elections.

Staff Development Officer, Cherokee Nation History Course

     Taught the 40-hour course to over 7000 Cherokee Nation employees and citizens. Trained seven more teachers who taught it to an         

     additional 3000 citizens.

Organizer, At Large Cherokee Nation community organization nationwide network

     Developed the organizing model and assisted diasporic Cherokee Nation citizens to form 24 official Cherokee Nation At Large satellite     

     community organizations across the country.

Founder and Advisory Board Member, Cherokee Nation Community Association

     Drafted the legislation that established the non-profit under the Cherokee Nation to oversee the At Large satellite community         

     organizations and assist with their development.

Advisory Board Member, Cherokee Nation Foundation

     Assisted with blind reviews of scholarships, contributed funding for At Large scholarships, helped coordinate and teach during Summer         

     “Abroad” programs for At Large citizens to return to the Cherokee Nation for educational and cultural initiatives.

Delegate, Cherokee Nation 1999 Constitutional Convention

     Organized a coalition of At Large delegates and strategized to advocate the establishment of specific representation on the Tribal Council for At          Large citizens.

 

Professional Life

 

Assistant Professor of Native American Studies, University of California, Davis, Pasadena City College

Visiting Professor, Cherokee Cultural Studies, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK

Instructor, Cherokee Society and Government online certificate, UCLA Extension

Instructor, Falmouth Institute, American Indian Tribal Administration and Governance, Fairfax, VA

Research and Special Projects, American Indian Studies Center, UCLA

Oral History Interviewer and Senior Writer, Center for Oral History Research, UCLA

Program Director, Native Lands Institute, Albuquerque

 

Other Relevant Experience

 

Founding Member, Cherokee PINS Project: Education and Engagement for Sovereignty non-profit

Board Member and President, Native Lands Institute, Albuquerque