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I don’t believe in extractive systems. I believe in relationships that last. I believe clarity is a form of care. I believe that words matter, that trust must be earned, and that leadership is not something you hold — it’s something you offer.
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The Sun Rises at Dawn
This is the quiet hour. The work begins before the world is watching.
This photo was taken just after dawn. It’s one of my favorite times to think and write. My name, waaseyaaban, means “the light shining at first dawn.” It speaks to clarity, to guidance, and to the responsibility of showing up when it matters most. I try to live into that name—in how I lead, how I mother, how I serve. Before the meetings and deadlines, before the calls and commitments, I return to the window, the words, and the questions that keep me rooted.
Get to Know Me
Short Bio
I’m an Anishinaabe woman, an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe from the Ottertail Pillager Band of Indians, and a citizen of the White Earth Nation. I serve as Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians Foundation, and I also work independently with funders, leaders, and organizations who are ready to move with more intention and responsibility.
I’ve led national campaigns, co-created funding initiatives that center Tribal sovereignty, and helped build durable systems for community-rooted movements. I’ve spoken at universities, in policy rooms, on stages, and around kitchen tables. I bring strategic clarity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to work that actually serves.
An invitation
This is not just what I do. It’s how I live.
If my work resonates with you, I invite you to walk with me. Learn more about my offerings, download a reflection tool, or get in touch to start a conversation.