Colorado LEAD Program
Eight emerging Native professionals who are interested in acquiring the professional development, mentorship and leadership training opportunities provided by the program were selected for a year-long program in the Denver/Boulder metro area. First Nations Development Institute will seek to accomplish this goal by offering leadership development opportunities for emerging Native leaders who are either seeking to work in the nonprofit field or are already employed by a Native nonprofit.
Alaina Archuleta (Kaibab Paiute)
My professional career has been largely devoted to Native non-profit organizations. The non-profit sector is a unique community in the business world, which is why I find it intriguing and challenging to provide a specialized service to Indian Country.
I have played many roles in non-profit organizations. Most recently, although not a Native non-profit, Interactive Management, Inc. (IMI) allowed me administer two non-profit associations - one local and one national.
Prior to IMI, I contracted with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) and in particular assisted the Osage Nation of Oklahoma with developing and implementing a 25-year Strategic Plan.
My position at the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) as the Events Manager in Washington, DC., allowed me to manage all areas of the annual convention.
While at the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) my position as the Casino & Industry Relations Liaison allowed me to work with staff members at tribally owned casinos across the nation, as well as work with Congressional members and NIGA Members.
While at the American Indian College Fund I played a vital role within the Resource Development department. Along with assisting the Senior Director, I also coordinated special events and was the liaison for contributors.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). I was active as a founding member and President of the first American Indian student organization established at UNC.
Hannabah Blue (Diné)
Ms. Blue is currently a Capacity Building Specialist with the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center in Denver, CO where she provides training and resources on HIV prevention to Native serving organizations throughout the country. She graduated with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Gender and Sexuality Studies from New York University, where she began her career. She worked for the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, and as a Research Assistant for a Professor at the School of Social Work, where she compiled data on such topics as poverty, homelessness and HIV/AIDS. After her internships with the Communications Department of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and at CBS News on Logo, she worked with NY1 News, a 24 hour news station in New York City, as an Assignment Editor, Researcher, Photojournalist and Field Producer for over a year. Hannabah grew up on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and has been actively involved as a participant, officer and supporter of Native-specific programming and advocacy.
Ms. Blue is currently a Capacity Building Specialist with the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center in Denver, CO where she provides training and resources on HIV prevention to Native serving organizations throughout the country. She graduated with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Gender and Sexuality Studies from New York University, where she began her career. She worked for the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, and as a Research Assistant for a Professor at the School of Social Work, where she compiled data on such topics as poverty, homelessness and HIV/AIDS. After her internships with the Communications Department of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and at CBS News on Logo, she worked with NY1 News, a 24 hour news station in New York City, as an Assignment Editor, Researcher, Photojournalist and Field Producer for over a year. Hannabah grew up on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and has been actively involved as a participant, officer and supporter of Native-specific programming and advocacy.
Mat Barkhausen (Skarure)
Mat Barkhausen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. His tribal nation is the Skarure (Tuscarora) nation of North Carolina. His grandfather was born a few miles north of what used to be the northern boundary of the Indian Woods Reservation, a reservation established for the North Carolina remnant of the Skarure nation in 1716. Denver’s American Indian community has offered support and refuge for Mat, living so far away from his people’s traditional homeland. Mat has dedicated much of his personal and professional life to this community. He has volunteered for nearly every Denver-based American Indian serving organization, and has been employed by four of them. Mat and his father are both artists, Mat has often used his art to address the need for social change for the benefit of the American Indian community. Mat has also written extensively on the rights of Indigenous peoples, and has had several articles and essays published in both regional and national publications. Finally, Mat has completed a year of law school and plans to return soon to continue his legal education. Mat is confident that with a legal education he can be of continued and greater benefit to his community.
Mat Barkhausen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. His tribal nation is the Skarure (Tuscarora) nation of North Carolina. His grandfather was born a few miles north of what used to be the northern boundary of the Indian Woods Reservation, a reservation established for the North Carolina remnant of the Skarure nation in 1716. Denver’s American Indian community has offered support and refuge for Mat, living so far away from his people’s traditional homeland. Mat has dedicated much of his personal and professional life to this community. He has volunteered for nearly every Denver-based American Indian serving organization, and has been employed by four of them. Mat and his father are both artists, Mat has often used his art to address the need for social change for the benefit of the American Indian community. Mat has also written extensively on the rights of Indigenous peoples, and has had several articles and essays published in both regional and national publications. Finally, Mat has completed a year of law school and plans to return soon to continue his legal education. Mat is confident that with a legal education he can be of continued and greater benefit to his community.
Catherine A. Bryan, J.D./M.A. (Navajo)
Catherine serves as a Senior Program Officer for First Nations Development Institute. Her duties include participating in a wide range of projects including organizing and planning convenings and meetings for grantees, drafting grant reports, working with grantees under a variety of grant programs, planning and providing training sessions, conducting research, and performing evaluations. Prior to joining First Nations, she was a legal analyst for the National Tribal Justice Resource Center (NTJRC), a training and technical assistance provider for tribal justice systems located in Boulder, CO. Her focus at NTJRC centered on assisting tribal justice systems with obtaining federal grants to expand tribal court services in the area of child support enforcement. Catherine also serves as a grant reviewer for various federal agencies. She has a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She also obtained both and an M.A. and B.A. in French Literature from the University of Oklahoma and taught lower level French university courses for several years.
Catherine serves as a Senior Program Officer for First Nations Development Institute. Her duties include participating in a wide range of projects including organizing and planning convenings and meetings for grantees, drafting grant reports, working with grantees under a variety of grant programs, planning and providing training sessions, conducting research, and performing evaluations. Prior to joining First Nations, she was a legal analyst for the National Tribal Justice Resource Center (NTJRC), a training and technical assistance provider for tribal justice systems located in Boulder, CO. Her focus at NTJRC centered on assisting tribal justice systems with obtaining federal grants to expand tribal court services in the area of child support enforcement. Catherine also serves as a grant reviewer for various federal agencies. She has a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She also obtained both and an M.A. and B.A. in French Literature from the University of Oklahoma and taught lower level French university courses for several years.
Tanksi Clairmont (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Sicangu Lakota Oyate)
Han Mitakuyapi, le anpetu ki wowaste’ yuha! miye Pte’ Sa Sapa Winyan (Greetings relatives, there is goodness in this day! I am Black Buffalo Calf Woman). My English name is Tanksi M. Clairmont. I am an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate from Sisseton, SD. I am also a proud member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from Rosebud, SD. I am the mother of two beautiful children; my son, Tate’ (wind) 8 years old and my daughter Wakinyela (Dove) 5 years old. They are the inspiration and motivating force in my life and I strive to be the best role model for them.
Han Mitakuyapi, le anpetu ki wowaste’ yuha! miye Pte’ Sa Sapa Winyan (Greetings relatives, there is goodness in this day! I am Black Buffalo Calf Woman). My English name is Tanksi M. Clairmont. I am an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate from Sisseton, SD. I am also a proud member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from Rosebud, SD. I am the mother of two beautiful children; my son, Tate’ (wind) 8 years old and my daughter Wakinyela (Dove) 5 years old. They are the inspiration and motivating force in my life and I strive to be the best role model for them.
I graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in May 2007 with a B.A. in Professional Studies. I majored in Human Performance and Sport and had the opportunity to intern for many professional sport franchises. I am planning to continue my education in a Master’s of Education Athletic Administration program. I believe that higher education should be an expectation of all Native Americans, so that we can live equally in both worlds; Traditional and mainstream societies.
I currently work at the American Indian College Fund in the Programs department as the administrative assistant.
Ruben Hernandez (Rosebud Sioux)
Ruben serves as the Project Administrator for First Nations Development Institute. He works in collaboration with several of First Nations’ departments and program areas including: Grantmaking, Policy & Research, and Nonprofit Capacity Building to assist in the administration of various First Nations projects.
Ruben serves as the Project Administrator for First Nations Development Institute. He works in collaboration with several of First Nations’ departments and program areas including: Grantmaking, Policy & Research, and Nonprofit Capacity Building to assist in the administration of various First Nations projects.
Prior to joining First Nations, Ruben served as a Database Manager and Project Coordinator for the American Indian College Fund. As a Project Coordinator, he was directly responsible for administering seven grants to the tribal colleges and assisted with three other grant projects. Ruben has over five years experience working with governmental and non-profit organizations serving tribal institutions. As a Database Manager at the Fund, Ruben also gained extensive knowledge of database and systems management.
Ruben is currently finishing his bachelor's degree at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. He is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and resides in Northglenn, Colorado.
Jennifer Williams-Bordeaux (Sicangu Lakota/Yankton Dakota)
Jennifer is the mother of three boys and one daughter. Jennifer is currently the Program Assistant in the Ethnic Studies Department at UC Denver.
Ruben is currently finishing his bachelor's degree at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. He is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and resides in Northglenn, Colorado.
Jennifer Williams-Bordeaux (Sicangu Lakota/Yankton Dakota)
Jennifer is the mother of three boys and one daughter. Jennifer is currently the Program Assistant in the Ethnic Studies Department at UC Denver.
She recently completed her MA in Political Science from the University of Colorado Denver. Her MA project focused on microcredit and microfinance on Indian reservations. She completed a case study on Lakota Funds, a non-profit organization located in Kyle South Dakota.
In 1998 Jennifer was chosen to participate in the United Nations- Indigenous Fellowship Programme. This program allows participants to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights in general, and indigenous issues in particular so they can assist their organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the rights of their people.
Jennifer was also a participant in Forum Barcelona 2004. Indigenous leaders met in Barcelona Spain to evaluate the United Nations program for indigenous peoples. Among the recommendations was the proposal to adopt the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Jennifer has also worked with the Red Earth Women’s Alliance (REWA), a Denver/Boulder based group of women from several organizations working in solidarity around human rights issues affecting women.
Dina M. Yazzie (Oglala Lakota)
Dina M. Yazzie is Oglala Lakota and grew up in the Denver Indian community where she lives with her husband Dale and 6 year old daughter, Morning Star. She has done extensive volunteer work focusing on youth, families and cultural events. Her previous position was as Program Director of the Native Workforce Program at the Denver Indian Center. She has served on local and national advisory councils focusing on workforce development issues affecting American Indian communities. With over 14 years of nonprofit experience, Dina has earned a reputation as a compassionate advocate sensitive to the unique needs of her community. She also serves as a member of the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Dina M. Yazzie is Oglala Lakota and grew up in the Denver Indian community where she lives with her husband Dale and 6 year old daughter, Morning Star. She has done extensive volunteer work focusing on youth, families and cultural events. Her previous position was as Program Director of the Native Workforce Program at the Denver Indian Center. She has served on local and national advisory councils focusing on workforce development issues affecting American Indian communities. With over 14 years of nonprofit experience, Dina has earned a reputation as a compassionate advocate sensitive to the unique needs of her community. She also serves as a member of the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
2008-2009 Colorado LEAD Graduate Profiles
LeRoy Saiz (Tiwa/Xikano-Mazehualli). LeRoy is a Junior at Metropolitan State College. He is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Chicano Studies. LeRoy also serves as a Mentor to the Indian Education Program for Jefferson County Public Schools.
Marsha Whiting (Chippewa-Cree) Marsha is currently serving as a Project Coordinator for First Nations Development Institute. Prior to joining First Nations, she was the Project Grants Administrator for the American Indian College Fund. In addition to her experience in working with First Nations and the College Fund, Marsha has done extensive community work relating to health and wellness in Indian communities.
Casey Lozar (Kootenai) Casey is currently serving as the Tribal-Corporate Development Officer for the American Indian College Fund. Casey earned his Master’s Degree from Harvard University.
Jolene King (Oglala Lakota) Jolene currently serves as the Enrollment/Patient Registration/RPMS Site Manager and Billing Specialist for the Denver Indian Health and Family Services, Inc. Jolene also has experience working in tribal communities including on the Pine Ridge Reservation for the tribe’s Learning Centers.
Alistair Bane (Eastern Shawnee) Alistair currently serves as a HIV Counselor/Case Manager for the Denver Indian Health and Family Resource Center. Alistair has extensive experience working in the Denver Indian Community to address issues pertaining to homelessness and HIV.
Solicia Lopez (Apache) Solicia currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Office of Diversity for the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. Solicia has a background in community work, specifically pertaining to health and addressing disparities in underrepresented/underserved communities.
2007-2008 LEAD Graduate Profile
Casey Lozar (Kootenai) Casey is currently serving as the Tribal-Corporate Development Officer for the American Indian College Fund. Casey earned his Master’s Degree from Harvard University.
Jolene King (Oglala Lakota) Jolene currently serves as the Enrollment/Patient Registration/RPMS Site Manager and Billing Specialist for the Denver Indian Health and Family Services, Inc. Jolene also has experience working in tribal communities including on the Pine Ridge Reservation for the tribe’s Learning Centers.
Alistair Bane (Eastern Shawnee) Alistair currently serves as a HIV Counselor/Case Manager for the Denver Indian Health and Family Resource Center. Alistair has extensive experience working in the Denver Indian Community to address issues pertaining to homelessness and HIV.
Solicia Lopez (Apache) Solicia currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Office of Diversity for the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. Solicia has a background in community work, specifically pertaining to health and addressing disparities in underrepresented/underserved communities.
2007-2008 LEAD Graduate Profile
Carnell Chosa (Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico) was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to be a 2007-2008 LEAD Program Fellow. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard University, Carnell has experience working in both the nonprofit and governmental sectors. As a LEAD Program Fellow, he is working alongside Donna Vogel, the Executive Director of the Chamiza Foundation in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gaining a wide breadth of experience through his work with Donna, Carnell has most recently had the opportunity to be a part of the grantmaking process by directly participating in the reading and selecting of grant proposals for the Chamiza Foundation and First Nations Development Institute. Carnell officially graduated from the LEAD program in November of 2008. As to his future goals, Carnell is looking to create an all-Pueblo community foundation in his home state of New Mexico.
