Oneida Nation of the Thames, Executive Director/Founder

Norine Hill founded Native Women in Need in 2013 from a vision to support the success of Native Sisters by way of cultural prayer and Sisterhood during times of crisis. She has over 25 years of executive management experience building non-profits, cultural programs, networking, and collaboration with various Tribal entities while managing and building infrastructure. She is a survivor of multi-abuse trauma, homelessness, and alcoholism. Fifteen years alcohol free, she continues to create partnerships, collaborations and networking to ensure Native women have the support necessary to fulfill their goals.

BAS, CDP – Yakama Nation, Board Chair/Facilitator

Elder Ramona Ahto’s thirty-seven years of work in the addictions field with 35 years in recovery, a strong cultural background, and exemplary facilitation skills are an invaluable asset to Mother Nation. She is treasured and highly respected in the Native AA Community and Native American community of Seattle. Elder “Mona” maintains her Chemical Dependency license, and with her BAS and 37 years of cultural teachings, her experience and knowledge are a true blessing of leadership to the Mother Nation Board. Mona also appeared in the television series “Northern Exposure,” and was honored with the 2014 Enduring Spirit Award.

Councilman – Lummi Nation, Board Treasurer

Henry Cagey is a strong leader known across Indian Country for his dedication towards changing policy and accessing funds to strengthen health and wellness for Indian people. He has served as Board Member and Chair for several non-profits. His 28-year commitment to the Lummi Nation includes twelve years as Tribal Chairman; Director of Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO); Vocational Rehabilitation, and Economic Development Director; and nineteen years on the Lummi Indian Business Council. He has shaped many federal policies including health, housing, natural resources, transportation, and education. Funding accomplishments include $25 million in support to Lummi Nation priorities from the federal Department of Transportation, Labor, the Interior, Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Department of Agriculture, Education, and Commerce.

Yakama Nation- Mother Nation Board of Director

Joined the Mother Nation sisterhood in 2017, Suszie began her healing journey as a survivor of complex trauma. We are honored to accompany her on this path and now welcome her to the Mother Nation Board of Directors.

Tepehuan – Board of Director/Facilitator

Elder Alma Goddard has served for more than 35 years in the movement to end violence against women. Her work at the Seattle Indian Health Board has created many collaborations and domestic violence programs on and off-reserve. Her outreach work with the Women Spirit Coalition, workshop facilitation and DV and sexual assault training is highly respected among Pacific Northwest Tribes. Alma’s work in Indian Country includes presentations and workshops on internalized oppression, historical and intergenerational trauma, and healing. Alma’s experience as a cancer survivor, foster child, and survivor of domestic violence, and her work to end violence against women are an asset to the organization. She volunteers her time providing domestic violence advocacy training to Mother Nation mentees and staff.

Lummi Nation – Mother Nation Board of Director

Rita joined the Mother Nation Board of Directors in early 2017 offering many skills of administration and grant writing to our Leadership Team. Her wealth of knowledge in many aspects of Board Leadership, Administration and education and kind heart is an asset to the Mother Nation family

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Yeha:wi Healing Circle Facilitator

Elder Arlene Red Elk is Lead Facilitator and master designer of the Circle of Life workshop series. She specializes in multi-abuse trauma of violence against women and is well known across Indian Country as designer of services such as the original Ina Maka program at United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. With more than forty years’ experience, 33 years in recovery, and a Masters Degree, she has mastered the skills of combining culture to clinical practice. Her work as a survivor of multi-abuse trauma gives her great compassion and has allowed her to impact the lives of hundreds of Native women.

MSW, CDP, So. Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes – Cultural Services Coordinator

Yvette is a member of the So. Cheyenne tribe and has more than 19 years’ experience working with underrepresented and diverse youth, families and Elders. She is a life-long student of Traditional teachings, Holistic practices, and Wellness education and an Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACA). With a background as a Chemical Dependency Professional, an Indian Child Welfare foster care social worker, and a wellness coach, Yvette brings enthusiasm, patience, and a positive attitude to her role. She is honored to serve as a Red Eagle Soaring board member and volunteer/mentor with Clear Sky Native Youth Council.

Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge South Dakota – Waátunwan Program Manager

Reuben has worked in the Substance Use Disorder field for the last 20 years. He utilizes Native Teachings to assist individuals who are Healing and entering into Recovery. Reuben has worked with the Coast Salish Tribes of Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Snoqualmie and Cowlitz Tribes of Washington. Tribal Members and Elders have shared with him Coast Salish Teachings, which he has used to assist Individuals in their Healing Journey. In his presentations, he shows how the Coast Salish model Medicine Wheel can be used in healing.

Blackfeet Nation –Waatunwan Case Manger

Martin brings experience in social work to his calling to implement Trauma-Informed Care with a cultural approach to assist Native people struggling from chronic homelessness. He is a believer in utilizing traditional values to advocate for the Indigenous communities in urban and rural areas.

Xwlemi (Lummi Nation) – Multimedia Artist

Hillary lends skills across various mediums including cinematography, screenwriting, filmmaking, graphic design, photography and digital design. Her work focuses on amplifying Coast Salish culture, arts, and storytelling through digital media.

Western Shoshonee – Operations Manager

Marlena was born and raised on her people’s traditional Newe’ (Shoshone) territories in northeastern Nevada. She loves meeting and supporting Indigenous people who work to decolonize language. Prior to joining Mother Nation, Marlena worked in the Finance & Administrative Department in the Seattle Housing Authority, and as a Project Administrator for Exxel Pacific, General Contractor.

Cultural Support and Administration

Corinna is enrolled in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She has been with Mother Nation since 2014, first working in cultural support and homeless prevention and now cultural and administration support She supports her teams with resources, files, and other administrative tasks.

Yakama Nation – MMIWP Advocate

Shanna is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and descended from the Umatilla and Warm Springs tribes. She is experienced in the legal field and her calling has been to advocate for her Native people through local, state, and tribal systems. She is honored to be a MMIP Advocate.

Blackfeet –Waatunwan Case Manager

Johnny is an American Indian advocate in Seattle, across the US, and Canada. He is a Crow Indian National, child of the long beaked bird (Apsáalooke) and a Member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Southern Piegan (Amskapipikuni).

Ihanktonwan Oyate, Sicangu Lakota – Lead Waatunwan Case Manager

Megan Bartels is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where she began her journey of strengthening ties to her culture that had been broken by intergenerational trauma. Over the last four years, she has learned values and teachings from many remarkable people through serving Native communities across Turtle Island (NAC in Phoenix, IPTF in Minneapolis, and Mother Nation in Seattle). She believes that by combining harm reduction with traditional growth-based values of non judgment, empathy, humility, respect, and generosity, we can embrace our Relatives off of the street and into housing.

Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) – Finance Manager

Tino has been active in the Native American recovery community in Seattle for over 30 years. He served as program director and continues to be a resource for Native American men’s recovery house and other non-profits in the area. He worked most recently as Finance and Administrative Services Manager for King County Department of Community and Human services, where he oversaw contract and financial management for Housing and Community Development and the Best Start for Kids Levy funded programs. Tino received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington and has had a long career working in public service for public, private and non-profit organizations.

Taino, Peruvian – Yeha:wi Service Advocate

Zoey is a Yeha:wi service advocate, providing help to our relatives who are fleeing domestic violence. She also works at the Spirit Journey House advocating for our sisters that are in recovery. She believes it is such an honor to be a part of this good work and to have the opportunity to help others overcome barriers and achieve stability. Zoey is a survivor of DV and has been in recovery since 2016, and is a member of the Puyallup Tribe Re-Entry program. She is a certified medicine wheel 12 step group facilitator and has experience facilitating groups for Royal Life Center.

Duwamish/Suquamish/Quinault - Communications & Grant Manager

Yvette brings a wealth of experience to the role of Communications and Grants Manager, having dedicated her career to community service and tackling homelessness and housing insecurity. As a seasoned program manager, she possesses a deep personal and professional commitment to advancing equity and social justice. With excellent communication and advocacy skills, Yvette is adept at incorporating a culturally responsive approach into her work. She prioritizes centering the lived experiences and cultural knowledge of Indigenous communities in all aspects of program design and implementation. Guided by principles of decolonization and self-determination, Yvette's goal is to develop initiatives that not only address community needs but also empower and uplift Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Diné ( Navajo Nation) - Yeha:wi Lead DV/Service Advocate

Terri brings a deep connection to her indigenous roots and a profound commitment to supporting her community.

Terri's role at Mother Nation is instrumental in addressing critical issues such as domestic violence and providing essential services to those in need. Her passion for advocacy and her unwavering dedication to the well-being of her people make her an invaluable asset to the community.

Makah Nation – Waatunwan Case Manager

Jessica comes from the Claplanhoo, Parker and Tulee families, is a Mother of two beautiful humans, a Sister in Wellbriety, a DV and SA Survivor and Thriver, a UW Alumni majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, a certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor and a Diversion Case Manager at Mother Nation. She aims to use the trauma she experienced as a tool to help Indigenous Women heal and thrive. She believes in decolonizing the mind and turning back to our ancestral traditions and teachings, and combines those teachings with her psych degree and yoga certification to help those heal emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.

Yakama Nation – Homeless Outreach Engagement

Glen has 40+ years' experience as a cultural mentor, advisor and group facilitator. He currently works with Mother Nation as the Homeless Outreach Representative, reaching out to the Native community in King County. He is also a Chief Seattle Club Elder conducting sweat lodges, prayer services at hospitals, homes, and out in the field. Other past and present experiences include being a Spiritual counselor at United Indians [Labateyah Youth Home] which is for young adults 18-24 year olds; and working at Thunderbird Treatment Center [Seattle Indian Health Board] as a Traditional Health Practitioner.

Bear Clan, Oneida Nation –Operations Coordinator

Megan's Indian name is Kaw^ni:yo, which translates to “She speaks good.” She is the driver for Mother Nation, transporting clients and Elders to appointments and functions. She is part of the Operations team and a Mother Nation mentee. She enjoys working with the Elders and soaking up the knowledge they bring to her.

Algonquin Anishinabeg - Yeha:wi Advocate

Madeline is an urban Native and the daughter of an Algonquin adoptee. Her maternal grandparents were raised in the non-status community of Hunter’s Point, Quebec, and became eligible for enrollment with Timiskaming First Nation and Wolf Lake First Nation, upon amendments made to the Indian Act in 1985 and 2019 to reverse sex-based discrimination. The work Madeline has done academically, professionally, and in community is informed by the gendered impact of both Canada’s Indian Act and adoption policies, as well as the generosity of the urban Native communities in both Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Madeline is grateful to turn her passion of supporting culturally centered, Native health and wellbeing towards Mother Nation and to hopefully give back in a way that reciprocates all that has been given to her.

Hidatsa/Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Sharyka is a devoted mother to five beautiful and exceptionally talented children who bring her immense pride and joy.

Sharyka served as a community-based outreach doula, dedicating herself to advocating for families during childbirth. She ensured that birth plans were respected and followed while also incorporating ceremonial practices important to the families she supported.

Her passion for creative expression, particularly in the realm of fashion, is evident in her attendance at numerous fashion shows. She occasionally lends her expertise as a makeup artist, contributing to the artistic flair of these events.

Sharyka is bravely navigating through the journey of loss, rediscovering life's paths with resilience and determination. Her lived exsperiences have fueled a desire to establish her own organization focused on holistic healing for individuals coping with loss, providing support for the mind, body, and spirit throughout the grief process.

Cherokee/ Siksikaisitapi/ Puerto Rican/ White

Catlin, a Seattle native, her mother hails from New Mexico and is of Cherokee and White descent, while her father is of Siksikaisitapi and Puerto Rican ancestry. For the past five years, Catlin has been fully immersed in the peer support field. In 2023, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Northwest Indian College, and she is currently pursuing a Master's in Forensic Science, driven to contribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) cold cases. Her profound commitment is fueled by her deep-seated love for her family, culture, and traditions.

Quechua (Bolivia) - Yeha:wi Healing Journey Support

Marisa Withey Byrne (she/her) is honored to be supporting Arlene Red Elk with the Yeha:wi Healing Journeys group. Her Indigeneity is of the Quechua lineage from her father's side, who was born and raised in Bolivia. She is dedicated to healing trauma, especially sexual and familial trauma, and to helping our youth feel empowered in their hearts, body, minds and spirits to prevent future traumas. She brings to the table her experiences of being an advocate, holistic sex educator, council carrier, ceremonialist and rite of passage facilitator. She offers gratitude to her ancestors, her mentors, and her deep connection to Pachamama for helping her heal and find her way. She is so grateful to be a part of the Mother Nation team!s here

Dine' Nation ( Navajo Nation)

Arlene is a sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother. She embarked on her journey with Mother Nation in 2017 and now serves as Mother Nation’s Accounts Payable specialist, bringing with her a wealth of office management skills. Arlene also shares the teaching and traditions of her people with Mother Nation.