As a young child I moved a couple of times after being born in Texas and finished “growing up” in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio from 3rd grade onward. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in Criminology in 2009. As this was a severe economic recession I moved out to western Iowa in 2010. Completing some general labor work for a few years I dedicated myself to moving into a career that would utilize my education and social skills and I took an entry level position at then Jackson Recovery Center in Sioux City, IA in 2016. Through some connections I made there I began working as a Caseworker her at the Omaha Tribe at 2018.

Since being introduced to this community and the Omaha people, I can now say that I had to become an adult to find a community that I love and feel connected to, even though before 2018 I had no real introduction to native culture in any meaningful way and the beautifully intricate ways that families are connected to each other here at the Omaha Tribe and across native communities throughout America. As I continue to have the honor and privilege to work in this community I grow ever grateful to bear witness to the strength of the Omaha people. To date the greatest honor of my life was presented to me last September with the sacred duty of raising an Omaha child when my customary adoption with my daughter was finalized. The Umonhon people have not only shown me what a true community is and can be, but they have also allowed me to have a legacy beyond myself.

My greatest and sole commitment to this community is families: children, parents grandparents and relatives alike. It has been a true honor and test of my resiliency stepping into the role of Director of Children and Family Services and I continue to pray for guidance and wisdom to fill my role in the right way that serves the Umonhon people in a good way. It is my duty to provide families opportunities of healing, unity and dignity and I am proud to be able to do so for the Omaha community.