Where I Come From
My story has been about identity, recovery, and finding my way back to where I come from.
I was adopted as a baby through the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which became an important part of my story and identity. For a long time, I worked to understand what that meant for me and where I belonged.
I come from multiple Indigenous communities—Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Kahnawà:ke), Aga'idökadö Numu (Walker River), Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Hawai‘i and Maui), and Māori (Aotearoa), along with ancestry from Jalisco, Mexico and Southeast Asia.
Reconnecting to that has been a big part of my life. It’s shaped how I see the world, how I show up, and the responsibility I feel to my people.
I grew up in the Bay Area Native community—through pow wows, gatherings, and being around people who showed up for each other. That’s where I learned what community really looks like.
What Shaped Me
My life hasn’t followed a straight path.
I was born into addiction and spent years navigating the effects of that, along with everything that comes from identity, disconnection, and healing.
But I kept going. I stayed connected to community, I stayed curious about where I came from, and I kept doing the work to understand myself.
Over time, I stepped into leadership in different ways—serving as Associated Student Body President, earning my degree in Native American Studies from UC Berkeley, and continuing my education now in Native American Languages and Linguistics. I’ve also spent over 20 years working with Native organizations.
I’m in recovery, and that’s one of the most important parts of my journey. It’s changed how I show up—for myself and for others. Today, I mentor women across Turtle Island who are on their own path through recovery.
I’m also a mom to two sons, and that grounds everything I do.
Why I Do This Work
Over time, everything I’ve been through started to shape how I show up for others.
I found myself being someone people came to—someone who could listen, offer guidance, and help create space when it was needed.
That’s what led me here.
I create spaces for Native youth, for women, and for people navigating identity, healing, and recovery—spaces where people feel seen, understood, and not alone.
This work isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about walking alongside people and creating something real together.
As a Haudenosaunee woman, I carry the responsibility of the Seventh Generation—thinking about how what we do today impacts those who come after us.
Everything I do is rooted in that. I’m here to be of service, and to help create something better for the next generations.
Let’s Connect
I’m here to support, collaborate, and create meaningful impact. Whether you’re looking for guidance, speaking, or community work, I’d love to hear from you.