Susan Masten
Susan Masten, Vice President, for Union Bank of California’s Native Market Division, is the immediate past Chairperson for the Yurok Tribe, resides in the heart of the scenic Redwood forested coast of Northern California. For 27 years, Susan Masten has advocated for the rights of Native People in her community and across the nation. Read More »
Veronica Homer
Veronica Homer (Colorado River Indian Tribes Regional Partnership Council) Faith Representative Veronica is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT). Her Tribal lineage includes the Shasta and Mohave Tribes. Veronica has many years experience of Federal government service behind her. She retired in 2004 as the Superintendent for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Field Office. Read More »
Rachel Joseph
Rachel Anne Joseph was born and raised in Lone Pine, California. Her parents are Dorothy and the late Richard Joseph. She graduated from the Lone Pine High with honors and attended Brigham Young University where she graduated with a degree in Social Work; also earning a degree in Graduate Study Management from the University of Utah. She has had an outstanding career in service to Indian Tribes in addition to being a single Mom, raising four children, and who all have flourishing careers. Read More »
Melanie Benjamin
Melanie Benjamin was born to George Staples and Frances Reynolds Staples in Siren, Wisconsin and raised with 11 siblings. She graduated with a degree from the Minneapolis Area Vocational Technical Institute in 1979, earned a degree in business administration from Bemidji State University in 1988, and studied tribal governance and natural resources at the University of Colorado Law School. Benjamin has a son, Clayton, and three grandchildren, Clayton Jr., Aubrey and Roxanne. Read More »
Patricia (Pat) Parker
Ms. Patricia (Pat) Parker, President and CEO of Native American Management Services, Inc., (NAMS) has worked with Indian communities and Federal and Tribal governments for over twenty-five years. Pat is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma where she began her career. After working in the Indian Health Service for 10 years, she started her own business in 1989. Read More »
Nora McDowell
Fort Mojave Indian Tribal Chairperson, currently serving her 25 th year on the Fort Mojave Tribal Council, brings comprehensive knowledge and experience to her position and the Fort Mojave Tribal community. During her Council tenure, Ms. McDowell has worked extensively with tribal, county, state and federal governments and organizations to better serve the multi-faceted interests and needs of the tribe. Read More »
The Honorable Cecilia Fire Thunder
She left the reservation when she was 15 years old but returned home in 1987. South Dakota-born, she was given the Lakota name of Good Hearted Woman. She is a licensed nurse, widely known as an advocate for wellness and womenís issues, and for her unique way of reaching the hearts of communities and people. Cecelia has co-written several healing and wellness curricula including the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) for SCAP. Read More »
Memoriam Wilma Mankiller
Wilma Mankiller served for two years as the first female elected deputy chief and for ten years as first female principal chief of the 220,000 member Cherokee Nation. Her areas of expertise include community development, public relations, tribal governance, leadership, writing, and the conceptualization and development of an extensive array of projects ranging from basic infrastructure to programs for children and youth. Read More »
Our Mission
We, the Indian women founders, who have common values and goals, do hereby establish “Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations because we are committed and dedicated to the following purposes”: To strengthen and sustain tribal cultures for the benefit and destiny of the children; To educate about tribal cultures, the history of native people, the inherent rights we exercise for the good of our people and others, and of current issues that affect our well being; To promote honest dignified tribal leadership who reflect pride for those we represent; To support and encourage tribal leadership; To install a balance between service and solitude and between fulfilling responsibilities and devotion to loved ones. To express encouragement, understanding, and joy to others dedicated to following the guidance of our creator and serving our communities as role models.