TALK DESCRIPTION:

An important part of leadership is being able to effectively communicate to a broad range of audiences. Due to patriarchal colonization, the traditional role of women in many indigenous communities was disrupted and displaced. As we continue to heal and restore kinship traditions, more women are stepping forward to reclaim leadership roles within their community.

This session will identify ways to improve your communication skills and how to adapt in a variety of settings, including internal communications within your own organization, public speaking and media engagement, as well as formal communications between tribes, states and federal entities. Learn how to effectively communicate and be an advocate for the issues that you are passionate about!

This is the first leadership skill and professional development session presented by Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network. It will be recorded and shared on the IWLN website.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Council Member Lorelei Cloud is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and proudly serves the Tribal Membership on the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council. Born and raised on the Southern Ute Reservation, Cloud was first elected to Tribal Council in December 2015. During her first term on Tribal Council, she welcomed the opportunity to serve as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer. After being re-elected in December 2018, Cloud continued her service to the Tribal Membership as a member of Council and Treasurer. On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Ms. Cloud was once again sworn into office, serving her third term on Tribal Council. She also serves on the Water and Tribes Initiative and is Co-Chairman of the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network. Council Member Cloud is a true advocate for the Ute language, traditions, and culture; actively participating in cultural events and traditional gatherings. She is very passionate about helping the Southern Ute youth, women, and elders. She has four children (three daughters and one son) and three grandchildren.

Gwendena Lee-Gatewood is the first woman to have led the White Mountain Apache Tribe, serving as Chairwoman from 2018 to 2022. Her paternal great grandfather was a Nadotsoosin’ clan leader. Her personal and leadership education started early and continues on a daily basis through her service to the White Mountain Apache People. Gwendena grew up in Show Low, the 11th child of hard-working parents. Her modest upbringing taught her humility, resilience, teamwork, “family-first” values, and how to find humor even in difficult situations. Gwendena credits much of her leadership style, as well as her training in Apache language and cultural traditions, to her close working relationship with former White Mountain Apache Chairman Ronnie Lupe. This style emphasizes listening to diverse views, hearing criticism of current policies, practices, and leaders, open dialogues to identify ways forward, and of course many prayers.

Moderator: Mira Barney grew up in Iowa and went to undergraduate at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. After college, she moved to Denver, Colorado and fell in love with the mountains. She has worked in the green NGO space for 3+ years, in organizations such as Big City Mountaineers and the Nature Conservancy. She strongly believes environmental justice is social justice and works towards uplifting marginalized voices and telling stories from different perspectives. Mira found energy and growth in the intersectionality between environmentalism, healing, truth-telling and justice. In her free time, Mira enjoys hiking, climbing, petting her cat, learning Navajo, attending theatre shows, practicing her accordion and playing board games.

For questions about this event email events@law.utah.edu.

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The S.J. Quinney College of Law is pleased to provide free CLE opportunities for attorneys. All donations welcome to support our programs.

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