The sixth cohort of Native Nation Rebuilders unites the passions of 30 leaders who will work together and individually for a brighter future for their people built on self-determination.

“These newest Rebuilders are engaged and talented—a dynamic addition to the program,” said Jaime Pinkham, the Foundation’s vice president for Native nations. “We’re excited to see how the Rebuilders Program can strengthen their knowledge and connections to support the sovereignty of their 14 unique nations.”

This cohort of Rebuilders has diverse work and life experience. Their jobs range from natural resources manager to coach, from Native language instructor to EMT, and from researcher to storyteller. They work in education, tribal government, health care, journalism, economic development, law and more.

The Rebuilders share a commitment to serving their nations and people. As new Rebuilder Anna Takes Shield (Oglala Lakota) said, “I want to be that voice that the elders speak of—the positive leader of tomorrow working today to better the future for my children and the community that I serve.”

The Foundation created the Native Nation Rebuilders Program in 2010 after elected tribal leaders from 23 Native nations said they needed skilled and committed partners to help them rebuild their nations. Rebuilders attend a two-year program of learning about nation-building and strengthening their leadership skills. The program has selected 111 Rebuilders from 20 Native nations.

Native Nation Rebuilders (Cohort 6)

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Marc Benoist
Kendra Enright
R. Reid LeBeau
Michelle Moran-Walking Elk
Mona Thompson

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe

Brad Hawk

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Joshua Weston

Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Vanessa Northrup
Veronica Smith

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Christina Bowstring
Nicole Buckanaga

Lower Sioux Indian Community

Cheyanne St. John

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Melissa Boyd

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Cecelia Big Crow
Brandon Ecoffey
Blue Little
Anna Takes Shield

Spirit Lake Nation

Ila McKay

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Joe Dunn
Chad Harrison
Steven Sitting Bear
Tipiziwin Young

Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation

Lisa Casarez
Whitefishwoman

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Laurie Davis
Betty Hamley
Chelsey Luger

White Earth Nation

Barbara Fabre
Lorna LaGue