Briana is CHamoru, of the Tugong clan. She is a community organizer, an environmental conservation advocate, educator, and the cofounder of the Indigenous Field Guide- a centralized online resource for individuals and organizations in the outdoor industry, which provides public education to prevent the damage of nonrenewable cultural resources, address access concerns on public and private land, and amplifies Indigenous concerns regarding cultural land resources.

Through her work with the Indigenous Field Guide, Briana has worked in partnership with national environmental conservation agencies, Indigenous led organizations, hundreds of Indigenous athletes, and Tribal nations across Turtle Island, to advocate and educate on the importance and necessity of cultural land protection.

Briana is a mother, an artist, a sponsored athlete, and the first rock climber to be inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.

Dawn Knickerbocker, belongs to the Anishinaabe people, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, enrolled in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe from the Ottertail Pillager Band of Indians. She is the Board President of the Urban Native Collective. Her full time role is the Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies at the National Congress of American Indians. With a background in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, Dawn brings over 20 years of community leadership and a deep commitment to human rights and environmental stewardship.

Dawn's journey has been marked by her belief in the power of peace achieved through nurturing relationships with both the land and its people. Her experience as a grassroots organizer on earth-related issues has been instrumental in shaping her approach to leadership and community engagement.

Dawn's is a former Washington State grant-maker, where she developed a philanthropic fund for arts, culture, and heritage impacting over a million people. She has also held the position of Chair of the Advisory Commission on Diversity in Renton, Washington, the state's most diverse city. Dawn's voice resonates beyond her professional work through her contributions as a published nonfiction writer, poet, public speaker, columnist, and the recipient of the 2020 Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Award. Dawn resides in Yellow Springs, Ohio with her husband and four sons.

Cate Donahue is of Anishinaabe heritage and an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, who grew up in Cincinnati. With a background in management and entrepreneurship, Cate's journey has been defined by her commitment to making a positive impact and empowering her community. Her connection to Cincinnati runs deep, fueled by a profound reverence for its natural beauty and a genuine love for its people. Her hobbies include hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and any opportunity to deepen her connection with the natural world.

Homer Shadowheart is of Anishinaabe/Susquehanna heritage a stand up comic with a bachelors degree in music. Homer was the keynote speaker at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of August Osage County, where he spoke to the play’s relevance to current conditions in the Indigenous community. He has been involved in activism for years, speaking against racist mascots and petitioning for the removal of racist signage in Cincinnati. Homer lives in Cincinnati with his wife and coon hound and is a board member of the Urban Native Collective. In addition to having the coolest last name on Earth, Homer is currently writing a sitcom.

Erica Bluford is a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation, a two time graduate of Northern Kentucky University, and most recently graduated with a Masters of Business Administration with a Finance and Global Supply Chain focus. She has made a career in purchasing, has been a board member since 2020, and started acting as the board treasurer in late 2022. In her free time she likes to camp, hike, and kayak with her dog Boomer, watch Oklahoma Sooner sports, and practice her yoga and Pilates.

Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds is Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian), a mom of 3, wife, community organizer, film producer, and cultural practitioner. Skye works for the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement as the Community Engagement Coordinator. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Kanaka Climbers, a nonprofit focused on reconnecting Kānaka to culture and land through climbing while educating the outdoor community on ways to respect Hawai’i’s outdoor spaces. Skye is the Native Hawaiian Cultural Advisor to the Nā Ala Hele Trail Council, operating under the Department of Natural Resources, and is also the Co-Founder of the Indigenous Field Guide

Shane Creepingbear belongs to the Cáuigù people and is a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, where he is a federally enrolled tribal member. As the Dean of Admission at Antioch College, Shane is distinguished as the first Native American to hold this prestigious position, a testament to his leadership.

His path as a first-generation college student at Antioch has been a significant influence on his identity and societal views. Committed to fostering community growth, Shane champions equity, access, and diversity in higher education. His professional life is a reflection of his strong commitment to social justice, understanding the far-reaching impact of his contributions in the educational sphere. His own academic accomplishments at Antioch is enhanced by his master's level studies in Organizational Leadership, focusing on Higher Education.

Shane's personal life is as varied and enriching as his professional one. He has traveled to Japan, including participating in a study abroad program, which broadened his global perspective. A prominent voice in discussions about Native American experiences in higher education, Shane has led workshops on a national scale.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Shane nurtures his creative side as a DJ, artist, writer, and published essayist. He finds joy and balance in tending to his land in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he lives with his partner and five children. Shane Creepingbear's diverse career and personal pursuits highlight his deep commitment to his heritage and his unwavering dedication to contributing social justice and community.

Irene Bedard is of Inupiat and Metis heritage and is enrolled in the Native Village of Koyuk. She is renowned for her portrayal of Native American characters and her dynamic emotional depth in a diverse array of film roles. Irene's educational journey in the arts led her to The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where she honed her skills in Musical Theatre. Her most iconic role is the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney animated feature, for which she also served as the physical model. This role, coupled with her selection as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1995, underscores her significant impact on and off the screen.

Irene's acting career commenced with her role in "Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee," laying the groundwork for a series of influential parts in films such as "Smoke Signals," directed by Chris Eyre, and the Steven Spielberg executive-produced TV series "Into the West." These roles have solidified her status as a pivotal figure in portraying Indigenous narratives with authenticity and depth.

Beyond her illustrious career in the entertainment industry, Irene is the president of Sleeping Lady Films, based in Anchorage and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and co-founder of Waking Giants Productions with Thomas Denomme. Waking Giants Productions is committed to developing television and new media projects that bring positive and inspirational stories from Indian Country to a global audience.

As a fervent advocate for Indigenous rights, Irene has extended her influence to the international stage as a delegate of the American Indian Enterprise and Business Council to the United Nations. Her advocacy work spans critical issues, including the crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) and the protection of sacred lands.

As a founding board member of the Urban Native Collective (UNC), Irene Bedard has been paramount in the formation of the organization's vision and work. Her dedication to leveraging her platform for the upliftment of Native communities has been crucial in advancing UNC's initiatives. Irene's leadership within the Collective and her broader advocacy efforts exemplify her commitment to promoting Indigenous voices, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.

Irene Bedard's contributions to both the arts and the advocacy for Indigenous peoples' rights showcase her as a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and hope. Her work continues to inspire and drive meaningful change within Indigenous communities and beyond.