My personal and professional values align closely with those of the tribes I serve. When tribes use lands in a beneficial way they are exercising their sovereignty. But, at the same time, they are planning for their community. This work creates a brighter future for their children, and simultaneously honors their ancestors. I bring these values of honoring our ancestors and families to my work. In my work, I consider what the tribe’s elders and ancestors would want us to achieve. I think about the impact our choices will make on the community, their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. My goal is to engage in work that would make the tribe, their ancestors, and future generations proud of what we’ve accomplished and the way we’ve achieved our goals. This seven-generation approach is rooted in the values I was raised with.

My family has supported and served its communities for several generations and has committed to living as servant leaders.  We have always answered the call to serve, whether it has been through law enforcement, storytelling, working in BIA schools, serving on the LCO Tribal College Board of Regents, serving in elected and appointed positions in tribal government, and even coaching athletes at the Carlisle Indian Boarding School over a century ago.

These strong values guide my legal practice daily. They fuel my passion to restore tribal lands back to our communities, and they keep me motivated to continue supporting tribes in managing their lands in a way that honors the tribe and seven generations.  With this motivation we can make significant change needed to strengthen our communities for generations to come. This is Indian law with purpose.