I’m a link in a long line of ancestors who have carried a responsibility to protect our people, our land and our way of life. As a young adult, I was fortunate to be mentored by elder medicine women.

 I’m a link in a long line of ancestors who have carried a responsibility to protect our people, our land and our way of life. As a young adult, I was fortunate to be mentored by elder medicine women. My spiritual name, which translates to Chief Eagle Horse Woman, came through their ceremonies. This name has deep meaning. It reflects my true essence and speaks to my responsibility in life to both lead and serve to protect the rights and interests of my people.

I didn’t choose my line of work. Instead, a series of events and opportunities were placed in my path that kept propelling me to investigate – and the more I investigated, the more I confirmed real threats to indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage and genetic resources. I feel a responsibility to take on the burden of this advocacy work and do the best that I can, because others are depending on me.

I share what’s happening from the halls of the United Nations and bring that information back home to indigenous people. I build capacity for folks who can’t go where I go or spend the time I spend analyzing these issues. In order to protect everything that’s important to me as an indigenous woman and a member of a distinct, historical and cultural collective of people, I have to be ME and give my life to our shared well-being.