Board of Directors

NICWA is a membership organization with an all-Native board of directors elected by the membership. The board meets quarterly to set the budget, policies, program plans, and advocacy direction of the organization. The board maintains several standing committees (Executive, Fundraising, Governance, Program, and Public Policy) that conduct the business of the board and provide advice and oversight of specific areas of work.

Apply Today to Be a Youth Board Member at NICWA!

Applications due on Friday, January 10, by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time

NICWA values the insight, guidance, and perspectives of Native youth and has created an opportunity for American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations (Native) youth aged 18–25 to serve on the NICWA Board of Directors. Joining the NICWA Board of Directors is an exciting opportunity to learn about board service, nonprofit governance, and Indian child welfare and related fields; to network with leaders from across Indian Country; to shape policy and advocacy efforts; and to bring new resources to Indian child welfare. Native youth perspectives are a critical part of NICWA’s advocacy work, and youth board members play a key role in board decision-making and strengthening NICWA’s connections to Native youth organizations.

Applicants should be American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or First Nations youth aged 18–25. Youth board members will be selected to join the slate of nominees to the NICWA board based on a combination of the following factors:

• Interest in a career in Indian child welfare, social work, psychology, or other related fields;
• Lived experience in tribal or state foster care, or experience interacting with other “helping systems” like children’s mental health or family support (preferred but not required); and
• Cultural engagement, values, skills, and interests.

For more information, please review the NICWA Youth Board Member Job Description linked below. To apply, complete the application form linked below by 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, January 10. Contact Mariah Garcia with any additional questions.

Officers

President
Gil Vigil, Tesuque Pueblo

Vice President
Angela Connor, Choctaw

Secretary
Alex Wesaw, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

Treasurer
Aurene Martin, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Members

Teressa Baldwin (Inupiaq)
Kotzebue City Manager
Kotzebue, Alaska
Year Elected: 2015

Justine Bautista (Northern Cheyenne)
Kitchen Assistant, Native American Youth and Family Center
Portland, Oregon
Year Elected: 2022

Mikah Carlos (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community)
Tribal Councilwoman, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Mesa, Arizona
Year Elected: 2019

Patricia Carter-Goodheart (Nez Perce)
Democratic Precinct Committee Officer
Lapwai, Idaho
Year Elected: 2008

Rose Domnick (Orutsararmiut Native Council)
Calricaraq Trainer/Consultant
Bethel, Alaska
Year Elected: 2021

Brad Earl (Colville descent)
Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Medford School District
Medford, Oregon
Year Elected: 2022

Rochelle Ettawageshik (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians)
Retired; Former Director of Native American Affairs, State of Michigan
Harbor Springs, Michigan
Year Elected: 1997

Debra Foxcroft (Tseshaht)
Tseshaht First Nation Family & Child Services Consultant/Advisor
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Year Elected: 1996

Charles Martin (Morongo Band of Mission Indians)
Tribal Council Chairman, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Banning, California
Year Elected: 2023

Robert McGhee (Poarch Band of Creek Indians)
Tribal Council Vice Chairman, Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Atmore, Alabama
Year Elected: 2011

Gary Peterson, MSW (Skokomish)
Professor, The Evergreen State College
Shelton, Washington
Year Elected: 1987

Robin Sigo (Suquamish Tribe)
Research and Strategic Development Director, Suquamish Tribe
Suquamish, Washington
Year Elected: 2020

Stephanie Weldon (Yurok Tribe)
Director, Office of Tribal Affairs, California Department of Social Services
Klamath, California
Year Elected: 2020

Steven Wilson Jr. (Oglala Sioux Tribe)
Lead Male Trainer, Wahwala Iyohlogya (Peaceful Means) Violence Prevention Center
Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Year elected: 2024