BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SADIE YOUNG BIRD

Board President

Director, TAT Victim Services

New Town, ND

REV. LARRY THIELE

Treasurer

Pastor, Dakota Oyate Lutheran Church

Tokio, ND

AMY WHITESHIELD

Board Member

Amy WhiteShield has been with UTTC for almost 4 years. She received A Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Administration from Keiser University in 2018. Her pursuit is to provide Chemical Health and Domestic Violence services to the

students of UTTC.

United Tribes Technical College Campus Violence Advocate

Bismarck, ND

CHERYL DONOVEN

Vice President

Williston, ND

Open

Secretary- Member at Large

Dellis Agard

Board Member

Sacred Plume Women's Shelter

Fort Yates, ND

Erika Thompson-Cavanaugh

Board Member

Erica Thompson- Cavanaugh is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe. She resides in rural St. Michael with her family. Erica attended the University of North Dakota and earned her Bachelors of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and Masters of Social Work (MSW) degrees. She is the current director of the Spirit Lake Tribe Victim Assistance Program.

STAFF

Our team of employees is comprised of highly trained, experienced individuals who are dedicated to the success of our coalition members.

SANDRA BERCIER

Executive Director

Sandra is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. She is wholeheartedly dedicated to her work as the Executive Director of First Nations Women’s Alliance. Sandra has a Master of Business Administration from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Mary. From a biological perspective Sandra has 4 daughters, 1 son, 7 granddaughters, and 4 grandsons and 1 great-granddaughter. From a heart perspective she has innumerable children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sandra lives a humble and traditional life with her love Rick; though, admittedly, she often finds herself in the middle of critical issues where she feels she must stand. She loves flowers, plants, water, rocks and all things provided by Creator.

BONNIE PALECEK

Organizational Development Specialist

Bonnie has worked in the movement to end violence against women for many years. She has been part of FNWA since 2007.

Her responsibilities include policy and organizational development, assisting with grant writing, and technical assistance to coalition members.

STACEY KARTES

Executive Administrative Assistant

Stacey has worked with FNWA for the past 5 years as the Executive Administrative Assistant. Prior to that she has had extensive experience working with individuals to find community resourses and housing opportunities. Stacey brings a wealth of experience in working with victims of domestic violence, and sexual violence. She is looking forward to many more years with FNWA. In her free time, she enjoys being with her young children and animals.

RUTHANNA BUFFALO

Advocate/ Special Projects Coordinator

Ruth Buffalo is Hidatsa, Mandan, and Apache. She is an enrolled citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. She is originally from Mandaree. Ruth has served in various capacities focused on building healthy and safe communities. She has 25+ years of community advocacy work. Ruth is a former Fargo Native American Commissioner and former North Dakota State House Rep. She has introduced new laws focusing on public safety; prevention and awareness of MMIP and Human Trafficking, and a Missing Persons Database. She serves as First Vice President for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition’s board. She is a co-founder of the local FM MMITP Taskforce. She is an appointed commissioner to the Not Invisible Act Commission.