Creating a balance between exemplary education and the O’odham and Piipaash cultures to ensure a positive future for our children and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Award-winning writer and reporter for various publications. Topics range from feature profiles, to business articles, to reports from Indian Country. Portfolio available upon request. For freelance inquiries, call 605-553-2539.

*Imaging with Imagination*Low-cost, high-impact video, portraits, and images for all your special occasions. Pricing based on client income and session length (including number of poses/locations). Cost includes editing and photo CD or DVD, along with all rights to photos and media. Guaranteed quality digital photos to you within three days! Call (605) 553-2539 to schedule your appointment! Portfolio and references available upon request.

Responsible for the editorial direction, coordination and content of the magazine.

Empowering children and families to succeed educationally, financially, and socially through the Two Generation Approach.

• Co-chair the Minnehaha County DMC (Disproportionate Minority Contact) Committee to enhance juvenile justice reform efforts and to create opportunities for youth of color (and organizations working with them) to succeed.• Facilitate cultural awareness programs, including Talking Circles, smudging, drumming, and other cultural activities for residential treatment groups of youth and adults.• Develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives for the VOA-Dakotas agency, including… Show more • Co-chair the Minnehaha County DMC (Disproportionate Minority Contact) Committee to enhance juvenile justice reform efforts and to create opportunities for youth of color (and organizations working with them) to succeed.• Facilitate cultural awareness programs, including Talking Circles, smudging, drumming, and other cultural activities for residential treatment groups of youth and adults.• Develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives for the VOA-Dakotas agency, including staff training in Lakota/Native American culture, foundational cultural competency, and youth development.• Supervise Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) program staff, including one full-time, one part-time, and several relief positions, as well as volunteers.• Database analyzation and management of JDAI programs.• Create and carry out program budgets, write annual grants, and serve on JDAI statewide committees. • Oversee at-risk youth, including goal-setting, academic curriculum, and social learning and living skills, for Evening Report Center and the 24/7 crisis intake venue Reception Center (programs of JDAI), which aim to decrease juvenile incarceration rates in Sioux Falls.• Coordinate the monthly Reception Center schedule and assist in training and supervising Reception Center and Evening Report Center employees. Plan and lead monthly staff meetings. • Partner with community agencies in developing service-learning activities for JDAI youth. Show less

• Facilitate interactive cultural competency & diversity training presentations with attendance anywhere from 5-200+ in educational institutions, non-profit agencies & community organizations, including the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, South Dakota State University, Dakota State University, University of Sioux Falls, Augustana College, City of Sioux Falls (Diversity Conference & Community Connections), Sioux Falls School District, and the Sioux Falls Multi-Cultural Center… Show more • Facilitate interactive cultural competency & diversity training presentations with attendance anywhere from 5-200+ in educational institutions, non-profit agencies & community organizations, including the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, South Dakota State University, Dakota State University, University of Sioux Falls, Augustana College, City of Sioux Falls (Diversity Conference & Community Connections), Sioux Falls School District, and the Sioux Falls Multi-Cultural Center. • Build coalitions between multicultural communities & workplaces, as well as lead/assist group discussions concerning issues of difference. • Advise on sensitive personnel/student issues.• Instrumental in planning, coordinating & securing funding for daylong diversity awareness public events.• Design & prepare educational & training informational materials (curriculum, brochures, newsletters) for corporate & educational milieu. Show less

• Oversaw 120+ community-based mentoring relationships between positive adults & Native American children 7-18. Emphasized Native American culture & academic success through events, after-school programs, & community gatherings (wacipi/powwows); 70% of mentored youth showed academic progress/proficiency in the areas of math, science, and reading.• Recruited volunteers & youth, performed interviews, background & reference checks, mentor training, & home assessments. Managed acceptance/denial… Show more • Oversaw 120+ community-based mentoring relationships between positive adults & Native American children 7-18. Emphasized Native American culture & academic success through events, after-school programs, & community gatherings (wacipi/powwows); 70% of mentored youth showed academic progress/proficiency in the areas of math, science, and reading.• Recruited volunteers & youth, performed interviews, background & reference checks, mentor training, & home assessments. Managed acceptance/denial communication of potential youth/mentors.• Provided outreach via public speaking to area organizations, businesses & classroom environments regarding Native American culture, mentoring, & issues. Averaged 8-10 outreach activities/month.• Successfully presented four annual appeals to United Way, resulting in increased annual program funding. Praised by funding committee for unique & compelling productions, which included photographic slide shows complete with digital voice recordings of youth, mentors, & parents on the program’s benefits.• Utilized outstanding analytical & writing skills to research Native American youth disparities information to apply for grants totaling $12K, which created an elementary-level after-school culture club that contributed to academic success & less absenteeism for participating youth.• Managed scheduling & tasks of 1-3 high school, undergrad, and/or graduate agency & program interns each academic semester. Show less

• Covered Minnehaha County government, Native American issues, & the City of Brandon, in addition to city desk features & breaking news. • Averaged 10-15 published pieces/week, including 1-3 front-page stories/week, as well as 2 interactive photo & digital video compliments.• Specialized & Gannett-certified training in digital media, including photography (Canon & Nikon products), digital video (Sony equipment), & editing (Avid & Photoshop).

• Covered the state’s fastest growing regional counties, Native American issues, and GLBT issues.• Hosted afternoon Podcast (online radio show) of daily news briefs. • Selected as one of nine staffers to participate on steering committee for the Learning Newsroom, a program from the American Press Institute designed to help the newsroom improve training, communication and innovation.• Led six-member Training Committee, which designed two or more newsroom training sessions per month,… Show more • Covered the state’s fastest growing regional counties, Native American issues, and GLBT issues.• Hosted afternoon Podcast (online radio show) of daily news briefs. • Selected as one of nine staffers to participate on steering committee for the Learning Newsroom, a program from the American Press Institute designed to help the newsroom improve training, communication and innovation.• Led six-member Training Committee, which designed two or more newsroom training sessions per month, including writing for the Web, Photoshop, and narrative journalism.• Instrumental in development, design of “The Wrap,” an innovative concept to attract younger readers.• Assisted planning, implementation of “Six in the City,” a summer dating marketing campaign. Show less