Speaker Bio's
EDWARD J. BLAUVELT
Edward J. Blauvelt is of Muskogee (mother) and Mohawk (father) descent, is an active member in local American Indian community, and has been the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph American Indian Heritage Committee Chairman for the past 11 years. Ed currently serves as the International Affairs Lead Operations and Manpower for the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron (AFSAT) within Headquarters, Air Education and Training Command. Ed enlisted the United States Air Force in 1980 as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Technician serving in numerous state-side and oversea locations. In 1990, Ed was cross-trained in the Aviation/Operations Resource Management career field where he was responsible for multi-million dollar flying and aviation pay programs until his retirement in 2007 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).
Ed has completed three Master degrees: in Aviation Management, Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems (2008) and Military History (2013). He completed his bachelors in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle graduating Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian (2003). Ed also completed two Associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force (1997/2000). Ed was honored with the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) Meritorious Service Award in 2015 and 2018. He also received the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Aviation Resource Management Non-commissioned Officer of the Year Award in 1998.
NIEVA BROCK
Nieva Brock is serving in a joint duty assignment from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as the Senior Counsel to the Director, Information Management and Compliance Office (IMO). IMO is a new directorate that ensures compliance with privacy and civil liberties as DIA performs its intelligence mission. Nieva also serves as the Senior Champion to the DIA Native American Council.
While at NGA, she served as the first Native American Associate General Counsel, for the Administrative Law and Litigation Division. She led a diverse team of attorneys tasked with advising on matters related to civil litigation, personnel law, ethics, standards of conduct, counterintelligence, insider threat, and other administrative law matters. She was honored to be the Department of Defense detailee to the White House where she served as an Ethics Attorney and subject matter expert.
Nieva is a proud enrolled member of Higuayagua Taino of the Caribbean and native New Yorker who is retired from the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps with an established record of avid public service that predates her military career. Between earning her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and enrolling in law school, Nieva served as a child abuse investigator in New York, a homeless services coordinator for the American Red Cross, and a Social Worker for abused and neglected children.
DEXTER BROOKS
Dexter Brooks, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Associate Director of the Office of Federal Operations, Federal Sector Programs, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Washington, D.C. Federal Sector Programs has a unique role in assisting federal administrative agencies in the development of strategies designed to proactively prevent discrimination and allow federal employees to compete on a fair and level playing field. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Brooks served as the Federal Training and Outreach Coordinator and Attorney Advisor within Federal Sector Programs. Dexter was responsible for establishing EEOC’s Federal Sector Training Institute which provides a variety of fee-based courses to the federal sector EEO community. He also served as primary contact to the Commission’s federal sector stakeholders providing hundreds of outreach sessions throughout the country. His EEOC career began in 1998, as a staff attorney in the Office of Federal Operation’s Appellate Review Program. Before joining the EEOC, Dexter served as an Attorney Advisor for the United States Department of Labor in its Office of Administrative Law Judges. He received his Juris Doctor from Howard University, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University.
CSM ERIC CHASTAIN
CSM Eric Chastain, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, grew up in Cleora, Oklahoma. He enlisted in 1997 attending basic training at Fort Moore, GA. He currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor in the White House Military Office. His overseas service includes: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq with more than 48 months deployed in combat operations.
CSM Chastain, the first in his family to attend college, pursued undergraduate studies at UCLA, holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a graduate certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. His military education includes the following courses: Ranger, Airborne, Pathfinder, Air-Assault, Rappel Master, Emergency Medical Technician- Basic, US Army Sergeants Major Academy, and the Nominative Leaders Course.
CSM Chastain’s notable awards include: Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5), Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He is a 2023 SAIGE Military Meritorious Service Award recipient and a 2019 Tillman Scholar.
JILL CONRAD
Jill Conrad is the Tribal Affairs Manager in the Office of Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Programs for the Office of Environmental Management, (EM), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Jill provides guidance and support to EM leadership at both EM headquarters and field sites on tribal engagement. She also serves as the primary liaison for EM interactions with the State and Tribal Government Working Group (STGWG), comprised of representatives from states and Native American tribes that host or are otherwise affected by DOE sites or facilities associated with the production and cleanup of the nuclear weapons complex. Jill has experience working as a private sector attorney representing Indian tribes, tribal businesses and tribal organizations in Arizona, New Mexico and Washington and working as a communications specialist for the Westinghouse Hanford Company. Jill holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington School of Communications. She is a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe, has two grown sons and resides in Richland, Washington.
BERNICE DELORME
Bernice Delorme is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. She has three children and eleven grandchildren. Her professional credentials include a B.S. in Business, a Master’s Degree in Social Work, a Juris Doctorate with a Certification in Indian Law and an L.L.M. in Taxation. She is the first Native American to receive an advanced L.L.M. degree in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. She is a member of the bars of North Dakota, New Mexico, Washington, United States District Court for the District of North Dakota; and the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. She has served as Tribal Attorney for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, General Counsel for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, General Counsel for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and served as a Tax Law Specialist in the National
Office of Indian Tribal Governments of the IRS. She is currently General Counsel for the national Council for Tribal Employment Rights (CTER) and the Northern Plains TERO Coalition. Bernice is also a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in North Dakota. She has as much volunteer experience as she has paid experience.
CYNTHIA DUNN
Cynthia “Cin-dee” Dunn joined the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2000. She is currently working in the IRS, Headquarters, Tax Exempt and Government Entities division, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Washington, DC as the EDI Director since July 25, 2004. She is currently the longest-serving EEO/EDI Director within the IRS. Prior to joining the IRS, Cin-dee served as the Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Cin-dee started her federal government career in 1980 as a GS-01 Clerk Typist in the Stay-in-School Program. She began her career in the field of EEO and Diversity in 1988.
Cin-dee attended the University of Maryland-College Park and the European Division, Nuernberg, West Germany. Cin-dee attended her first Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) conference in 2006. Immediately after, she became an active life member of SAIGE and then a presenter for the past several years. She also assisted in creating IRS’ first SAIGE Chapter in Utah. She is affiliated with the Crow and Blackfeet Tribes. Cin-dee is a proud recipient of the 2019 “Spirit” award given by SAIGE. Cin-dee resides in Waldorf, MD. She has two sons and five grandchildren.
Master Sergeant Frances T. Dupris
Master Sergeant Frances T. Dupris is the Advanced Training Course Director at the 319th Combat Training Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. In this position she manages and instructs the Space Power Discipline Military Intelligence course for 288 students and nine classes annually, totaling $3.1B. She supports a 16- member military and civilian instructor cadre to expand space system understanding by providing world-class, in-depth instruct of space systems, capabilities, requirements, acquisition, strategies, and policies to support Joint military operations and U.S. National Security. She is also serves as the Senior Enlisted Co-lead of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) Barrier Analysis Working Group (BAWG), focusing on recruitment, retainability, and removing barriers for the Native American and Alaska Native Airmen and Guardians across the total force.
Master Sergeant Dupris is Sicangu Lakota and an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho and was born in He Sapa, South Dakota. She is married to CJ Dupris Sr., an enrolled member of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and they have 4 children.
PETER E. GODFREY
Peter E. Godfrey has been a professional geologist for almost 30 years working in the western US. Projects have included precious metal exploration, mine reclamation, oil field development, and slim-hole geophysical analysis, all in support of water supply, mineral production, and environmental characterization. He joined the BLM in 2010 as a hydrologist and renewable energy project manager, spending five years in California. He also spent three years as the Soil, Water, and Air Program Lead with BLM Wyoming. Since 2018, he has been with BLM Arizona as Program Lead for Native American Minerals. The Secretary delegated the role of mining supervisor to the BLM in 1983 to oversee all mineral development on Indian trust mineral estate. It involves supporting BIA’s administration of their mineral responsibilities. In this role, the BLM provides inspection, enforcement, and production verification. BLM is also responsible for expressed approval of any mining and reclamation plan prior to mining or exploration disturbance.
Peter is a rock enthusiast, and every rock has a story, “Those stories are a large part of what keeps me engaged. As a federal geoscientist, it has been my privilege to pursue those interests through many aspects of economic geology and public service.”
BEN JACOBS
Ben Jacobs, a member of the Osage Nation of northeast Oklahoma, is co-founder of Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery and Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace based in Denver Colorado. Tocabe restaurant first opened its doors in December 2008, adding a second location in 2015 and food truck in 2016. In 2021 Ben helped launch Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace. Tocabe’s marketplace is a resource supporting the development of a Native Mspecific supply chain. The marketplace is designed as a multifaceted concept supporting the Native food system while generating a cyclical economic driver.
Over the last 15 years as a chef and restaurateur Ben has traveled to tribal communities the US and Canada learning about traditional ingredients, cooking methods, techniques, and recipes. On a national level Ben has worked with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations advocating for Native peoples on how best to incorporate local and traditional ingredients in collaboration with commodity ingredients to support health and nutrition. In 2023 Ben was appointed to a council seat on the President’s Council on Sports Fitness and Nutrition. The President’s Council serves in an advisory role to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In 2024 Ben was appointed to the USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee.
LUKE JONES
(Chickahominy and Pamunkey) is a Senior Analyst at the U.S. EPA and has been part of the Agency’s executive leadership team for 20 years. Luke leads EPA’s national initiative to improve EPA program implementation activities for Indian country, Chaired the EPA American Indian and Alaska Native Special Emphasis Program Advisory Council, and for more than fifteen years was national program manager for EPA’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP). Luke also served as Director of the EPA Region 5 Indian Environmental Office (2006-2010) after holding a number of EPA tribal program positions in Washington, DC. Before joining EPA in 1999, Luke helped establish the U.S. Department of Defense Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (1997-1999), worked for the National Tribal Environmental Council (1996-1997), and helped establish the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management tribal programs (1991-1995).
Luke is an Associate Member of the National Academy for Public Administration and is Secretary of the Society of American Indian Government Employees. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Rutgers University (1991). Master of Public Administration, Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (1996).
STEWART KAPLAN
TSP Training and Liaison Specialist, retired from the Air Force in 2003 and joined the staff of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) in April 2013. He graduated from Whitworth University with a Masters of International Management and from Kaplan University with a Certificate in Financial Planning. Stewart is an Accredited Financial Counselor and holds the designations of Certified Employee Benefits Specialist through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans of Wharton Business School and Retirement Income Certified Professional through the American College of Financial Services.
GREGORIO KISHKETON
Gregorio Kishketon is a resident of Chevy Chase, Maryland, joined us from the Office of the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Health and Health Informatics. He now serves as a Staff Advisor in the office of the Secretary of the VA as the Native American/Alaskan Native Liaison (OSVA) at US Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Center for Minority Veterans (CMV). Gregorio served in the United States Marine Corps in several roles and was honorably discharged in 1991. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma (B.S.), The University of Texas (M.S.), Oklahoma City Community College (A.S.) (Hall of Fame 2018) and Texas A&M University Weapons of Mass Destruction (Emergency Mgmt.) and the Dept. of Defense Contracting Officers School in Boston, MA.
Gregorio is a Tribal Elder with the Water Clan – Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and Comanche and Lipan Apache Tribe. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Saint Augustine University (HBCU) in Raleigh, NC, Board of Directors Alumni Association for Oklahoma City Community College and SPC Board of Directors for Corrections.
KIRK LARSON
Kirk Larson is the Washington State Public Affairs Representative for the Social Security Administration. He has worked with the agency for over 30 years in both technical and supervisory roles. Kirk has presented Social Security information in both the Seattle and San Francisco Regions. He has had several articles published, and also has appeared on TV and radio shows to discuss Social Security topics.
DR. ROBERT LEMON
Dr. Robert Lemon is a renowned professional speaker and author. He has risen to prominence by delivering a high energy message which inspires people to take responsibility for their lives and live up to their greatness. A leading corporate and workforce and Government speaker, Robert combines the ageless tool of storytelling with a profound understanding of today's culture. Recently, the prestigious Hoinser Book and Magazine honored Robert among 100 Top Voice Global Thought Leaders of 2024. He has presented for numerous government agencies and conferences, including US Dept. of Interior, IRS, Society Government Meeting Professionals, USDA, FDA, CDC, NOAA, VA Healthcare, US Navy, USAF, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and US Forest Service.
In 2017, he was presented with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by U S Representative Frederica S. Wilson. Robert is a best-selling and co-author of the book Multiple Streams of Inspiration with other celebrity authors including Jack Canfield Chicken Soup for the Soul with forewords by Les Brown and Zig Ziglar. Robert is the author of his newest book, Now Is Your Time, with a foreword written by Les Brown and testimonial by Willie Jolley and is now in print.
JACQUELINE MELCHER
Jacqueline Melcher is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe born in Pine Ridge, SD and raised on the Pine Indian Reservation. Her parents, Henry, and Deborah (both deceased), proudly served in the Marine Corps and were Vietnam Veterans. Her mother’s service as an Oglala District Councilwoman was a great inspiration during her childhood. Jacqueline began her engineering career as an Engineering Technician with the Indian Health Service and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. She began her professional career in 2012 as a Design Engineer with a private consulting firm then spent four years as the Assistant City Engineer for the City of Minot. In 2019, Jacqueline embarked in her Air Force career at Joint Base Charleston, SC as a Civil Engineer/Project Manager. She was quickly promoted to Engineering Section Chief and then to Installation Management Flight Chief. In 2022, she joined the 88th Civil Engineer Group at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH to serve as the Installation Management Division Director. Jacqueline serves as co-lead for the Indigenous Nations Equality Team for the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group. She is the proud mother of two sons, Cadence and Maverick, and military spouse her husband Rob, who retired on 1 Feb 24 after 20 years of Active-Duty Air Force service.
DR MICHEL
DR Michel is Executive Director of a five inter-tribal organization with membership including the Confederated Tribes, Coeur d’ Alene Tribe, Kalispel Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and Spokane Tribe, the Upper Columbia United Tribes. DR Represents the UCUT in regional fish and wildlife processes and forums. DR is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, he has over 40 years of experience in Forestry and Natural Resource Management. He has a broad range of experience in the technical and policy aspects of working for tribes. He served eight years on the Colville Business Council as the Vice Chair and Chair of the Natural Resource Committee. DR and his family enjoy camping and spending time on the Columbia River.
MAJOR PATRICK SORENSEN
Major Patrick Sorensen grew up in Northern California and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, OR. He has lineage from both the Rogue River and Umpqua Tribes. Patrick earned a BS degree in Chemistry, then enlisted as a Specialist (E-4) in the U.S. Army as a 68K Laboratory Technician with P9 Research skill identifier. Patrick served at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease. He won the Medical Research and Materiel Command Soldier of the Year and earned the rank of Sergeant, before attending Officer Candidate School. After commissioning, Sorensen served as Signal Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Company Commander, and NETOPS Chief. Patrick has two Afghanistan deployments during OEF 12-14. As a Marketing Officer, Sorensen has held assignments at USMA and U.S. Army TRADOC. He led the West Point Native American Heritage Forum and serves as the TRADOC AI/AN Employment Program Manager. Patrick is a storyteller, educating audiences with his modern take on traditional Native American storytelling. Patrick’s Awards include Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (8OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Expert Field Medical Badge, Kilbourne Leadership Award.
GENERAL WILLIAM SOUZA
Major General William Souza is the Commanding General United States Marine Forces, Korea. He is a graduate of Central Washington University and was commissioned in 1993 after having served as an enlisted Marine since 1984.
Major General Souza is a ground combat arms officer. He has commanded Tank, AAV and the Infantry units from the Platoon to the Regiment. He has served in Division staff positions and deployed supporting the GWOT. Major General Souza has also served as Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, as the Deputy Commander (Mobilization), Marine Forces Command, Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Forces North, and then as Commanding General, 4th Marine Logistics Group.
He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School (DEP), the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (DEP), and the Naval War College. He holds a M.A. in National Security & Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the National Defense University Capstone course, the University of Virginia’s Strategic Thinking Course, the Air Force Combined/Joint Force Air Component Commander Course, and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course.
JAY SPAAN
Jay Spaan is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He joined the Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC) as the Executive Director in 2018. Jay also serves as Executive Producer for SGCETC’s original docuseries, For Our People: Stories of Tribal Self-Governance and Sovereignty. In addition, Jay is an Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University, developing and teaching Tribal Self-Governance courses in ASU’s Indian Legal Program. Prior to joining SGCETC, Jay spent more than a decade evaluating the effectiveness of Federal Indian Programs as a Senior Analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In addition, Jay serves as Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Indian Government Employees. Jay holds a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Public Administration.
DR. EMILY STULTZ
Dr. Emily Stultz is a distinguished scholar and clinician with a strong multidisciplinary background. Her academic career began with an A.S. in Liberal Studies from Middlesex Community College, followed by a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University. Dr. Stultz furthered her education with a M.S. in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, followed by a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. Her doctoral research provided an in-depth examination of the biopsychosocial effects of posttraumatic stress disorder in aging veterans, underscoring her commitment to advancing military behavioral health. As the founder of Kennebec Counseling Services, Dr. Stultz specializes in providing psychotherapy, particularly focusing on trauma and substance use disorders. Beyond her clinical work, she serves as a Research Project Director at the University of Maine, where she supports public health and health policy research and advocacy initiatives.
Complementing her research and professional roles, Dr. Stultz also contributes as an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts, Global Campus, teaching master’s level courses in substance use diagnostics, research, and internship seminars. Furthermore, she contributes her insights as a freelance writer for Social Work Today Magazine, enhancing her professional impact and outreach in the field of social work.
KRISTINE "KRISTI" TAPIO-HARPER
Kristine “Kristi” Tapio-Harper is an enrolled member of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska born in Juneau, Alaska. She began her Federal career as a SCEP in Wasilla, AK with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). She then graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO with a degree in Natural Resources Management & Anthropology. From there she worked as a seasonal Range Technician with the US Forest Service on the Black Hills National Forest for several seasons before returning to NRCS in Rapid City, SD as a Soil Conservation Technician. The forest called her back and she returned to the Black Hills NF as an Archaeology Technician and worked her way up to a District Archaeologist. Eventually, “Home” began to call, and she went back to NRCS as the Alaska Native Liaison for over a decade before she returned “stateside” to her present position, in the Pacific Northwest as the US Forest Service Region Six’s Regional Tribal Liaison.
Throughout her career she also detailed in various positions such as, USFWS Alaska Regional Tribal Affairs Specialist, NRCS National Tribal Liaison, and currently as the Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Most importantly, she is “maw” and has (2) daughters, Sheila and Sky with her husband Paul. She is also “maw” to grandson, Bryten who lives in South Dakota. Fishing is also a part of who she is and her lifestyle as she provides fish to those in her immediate family as part of their traditional diet.
PEDRO TORRES
Pedro Torres is the National Tribal Liaison representing Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) working with regional offices, national program offices and Tribal representatives. This includes elected Tribal leaders, leadership and staff of Alaska Native Corporations, officials of other agencies and Tribal non-governmental organizations. In this position he assists in addressing challenges relating to implementation of NRCS programs and services and identifying partnership opportunities. Prior to this he served as State Tribal Liaison for the NRCS assisting in developing the Tribal Program, conducting the Tribal Advisory Council, and was Special Emphasis Program Manager for American Indians and Alaska Natives to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Civil Rights Committee.
Mr. Torres is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, with a degree in Agronomy, specializing in Soil Science, Pest Management, and Regenerative Studies. In 2009-2010 he served as an Agricultural Advisor on Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, Asadabad, Kunar, Afghanistan.
LORETTA A. TUELL
Loretta A. Tuell is the managing principle at Tuell Law. She has practiced in the arena of federal Indian law and policy in Washington, D.C. for more than 20 years. In September 2017, she relocated to southern California and established Tuell Law, P.C. Her practice focuses on American Indian law, governmental law and policy, and gaming matters. In the private legal sector, Loretta was most recently a Partner at the international law firm, Greenberg Traurig, L.L.P. Her public service includes serving as the Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to Chairman, Senator Daniel K. Akaka and formerly served as Staff Counsel to Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Loretta has held several senior positions at the Department of Interior and was appointed by President Clinton to be the Director of the Office of American Indian Trust. In 2009, Loretta was recognized as one of five women—and the first American Indian woman in history—to receive the prestigious Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the American Bar Association. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law.
Loretta also serves Board of Trustees for the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA), the Board of Trustees for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. and as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the national nonprofit serving Native youth development – the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) organization. Ms. Tuell is a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe and grew up on the reservation in Lapwai, Idaho.
MELVIN J. WHEELER
Melvin J. Wheeler Sr. is currently the TERO Director for the Nez Perce Tribe and has worked for the Nez Perce Tribe for 25 years. He has held positions as a Gaming Commissioner for the Nez Perce Tribe, Executive Director for the Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority for the Nez Perce Tribe, and Muckleshoot Tribal Housing Authority in Auburn, Washington, and Housing for Indian Housing for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Ft. McDowell, Arizona and TERO Director for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe located in Port Angeles,
Washington and has overseen various programs with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Melvin has been involved with TERO for 23 years. Has served on various Boards/Commissions. Melvin is the current Chairman of the Council for Tribal Employment Rights (CTER) and the Chairman for the PNW Region TERO here in the Northwest. Melvin has been involved with TERO for 23 years as the TERO Director. Melvin is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Melvin enjoys making and playing the Native American Flute and has been doing this since 1999.
MYCHAL YELLOWMAN
Mychal Yellowman - Yá’át’ééh, shi éí Mychal Yellowman dashijiní'. Kinyaa'aaní nishlį́, Bilagaana Diné bashishchiin, Tsenahabiłní dashichéíí, Bilagaana Diné dashinalí. Dii akotéégo Diné nishlį́.
Mychal grew up mainly in Rico, CO, but spent a lot of time in northwest New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation. His maternal grandmother was from an area called Béé di´chíí which is in the T'íís Tsoh Sikaad (Burnham) Chapter, and his maternal grandfather was from the Nenahnezad Chapter.
Mychal’s másaní and chéíí (maternal grandparents) lived in Rico when Mychal’s chéíí worked in the hard rock mines in the area. Most of the miners were Navajo at that time. After the mines closed, most of the Navajo families moved back to the reservation, but Mychal’s family stayed. Many of his family still reside on the Navajo Reservation. Mychal currently lives in Denver, CO with his husband.
Mychal works for the Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s (OSMRE) regional office in Lakewood, Colorado. Mychal is the Indian Lands and Washington Federal Programs Manager for OSMRE. Mychal is also a registered professional civil engineer in Colorado.
Mychal’s hobby is creating artwork. Mychal currently works with charcoal, graphite, ink, digital illustrations, watercolor and acrylic painting. Most of his work now is commissioned.