COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD

Weli Kishku, ntelawensi Trinity Goombi. I am Lenape from Anadarko, Oklahoma. I am turtle clan from the Harry family. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor Degree in public and community health and am currently in grad school there as well. I am actively involved in my tribal government. I serve on our tribal Citizenship Committee where we determine lineages of every new applicant that wishes to be a member. I also am the current co-leader of Lenni Lenapexkweyok women’s collective made up of all federally recognized Lenape Nations. I have dedicated my time to working with Tribal Nations focusing on the health of our communities. 

Seth Hoy is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He has dedicated his career to fighting for human rights and social justice. He is currently the Director of Communications at Legal Services NYC where he works to uplift and empower marginalized New Yorkers by centering their voices in stories spotlighting social, racial, and economic injustice. Seth is also a member of Legal Services NYC’s Indigenous Affinity Group which seeks to eliminate the invisibility of Indigenous people, give voice to indigenous perspectives, and increase outreach and awareness of Legal Services NYC's programs among urban Indigenous communities. He holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and is also a volunteer with CUNY Citizenship NOW.

Emily Jimenez has 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector supporting women and young adults. During this time, she has helped students from historically under-served communities secure aligned employment as well as overcome obstacles to high school and college graduation.  She currently serves as the Learning Program Director at Brooklyn Job Corps, a program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that offers free educational and vocational training to young adults ages 16-24. In this role she connects employers to an emerging talent pipeline and implements strategies to enhance academic instruction and career and technical training.   Emily is the eldest child of Dominican immigrants and the first to attend college, obtain a graduate degree and work in a corporate setting. This experience has fueled her passion for being a fierce advocate of equity in education, finding culturally competent mentors and workplace wellness. Her goal is to equip first generation students with tools to thrive in college and corporate environments and encourage them to pay it forward, creating a culture of mutual aid within their communities. As a Taíno descendant living in New York City, she has spent the last few years learning and remembering the ways of her indigenous ancestors. She has immersed herself in being a song keeper, utilizing traditional spiritual healing modalities, and employing council storytelling methods in community work.  She obtained a bachelor's degree in Culture & Communication and a master's degree in Business Management & Leadership from CUNY's School of Professional Studies in addition to an Executive Education Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University.

I was born and raised in Connecticut and attended school and college in the state. I attended medical school, and trained as an Emergency Physician in the Bronx.  I was adopted shortly after birth, and met my Indigenous Canadian family for the first time in 2019.  My work as a physician also had opportunity to serve in my  communities  including Suffolk County Board of Education for the Fishers Island School,  Youth Group Programs and Comminity Centers, and Community Outreach Program with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.

Kylie VanArsdale is a fashion and beauty model of Diné, Black and Irish descent living in Lenapehoking (NYC). After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Classics from the University of Notre Dame, Kylie worked in education policy at a non-profit in Dallas, Texas before relocating to NYC to gain experience as a paralegal at a commercial litigation boutique. With aspirations to attend law school and explore passions for Indian Law and cannabis decriminalization, Kylie plans to marry her creative and legal interests by leveraging her platform in the modeling industry to shine light on issues affecting Indian Country. A member of the Native American Student Association of Notre Dame (NASAND), Kylie gathered with fellow Native students to advocate for the successful removal of harmful c*lumbus murals on campus and developed an original voter turnout theory centering the political participation of Native voters for her senior thesis submission. A lifelong Urban Native, Kylie is particularly passionate about the needs and perspectives of reconnecting Natives and Afro-Indigenous relatives in community advocacy work. A voracious reader and former writing tutor at the University Writing Center at Notre Dame, Kylie spends her free time penning essays that she one day aspires to publish.

Jaren is a citizen of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Arizona and currently resides in New York City. She graduated from Dickinson College in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience and currently studies at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in the department of Epidemiology with a certificate in Comparative Effectiveness Outcomes and Research. She is interested in developing evidenced-based strategies and interventions that empower Indigenous communities to make health a reality for all, fostering holistic well-being. Jaren is dedicated to bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that the voices and needs of Indigenous peoples are central to the design and implementation of public health initiatives.

Dr. Larry Fisher is a pioneering figure in the field of Indigenopathic Medicine and Research. Graduating from the Kingdom College of Natural Health (KCNH) in 2019 with a doctorate degree in Functional Medicine, Dr. Fisher's journey has been marked by a commitment to advancing Indigenous health practices and community development.    His academic pursuits led him to the prestigious Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he delved into American Indian Economic Development through the Nation building courses from 2016 to 2018, gaining insights that would shape his approach to healthcare and community empowerment. In 2014, Dr. Fisher played a pivotal role in the revitalization efforts of the Mattakeeset Tribal government, showcasing his dedication to Indigenous governance and sovereignty.   Serving as the ambassador delegate of the Mattakeeset Indian Nation to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) from 2016 to 2020, he advocated for Indigenous rights and representation on the global stage. Dr. Fisher's impact extends beyond policy and governance into the realm of energy and sustainability. In 2016, he spearheaded and chaired the first Aboriginal/Indigenous peoples session at the World Energy Forum in New York and China, highlighting the importance of Indigenous perspectives in shaping global energy discourse.    As the founder of Nuketeam Research & Wellness Center, an American Indian FDA and HHS approved research Institute, Dr. Fisher continues to lead groundbreaking research initiatives aimed at bridging traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern medical practices.   His authored works, including "Microorganisms Theory," "MGEN," and "Tribal Plasticity," stand as testaments to his expertise and dedication to advancing Indigenous health and wellness. Dr. Larry Fisher's legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to Indigenous health, community development, and advocacy on the global stage, making him a revered figure in the field of Indigenopathic Medicine and Research.

Saira Coye-Huhn (she/they) is of mixed Indigenous ancestry (Belizean Yucatec Maya). They are an Indigenous Rights Advocate, an artist, and currently work as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the NYC Commission on Human Rights with a BA in Global Public Health & Anthropology from NYU with minors in Native American & Indigenous Studies and Chemistry.  Saira served as the first Senator at-Large for Native & Indigenous Students and the President of the Native American & Indigenous Student Group (NAISG) at NYU, where she spearheaded the establishment of NYU’s new Provostial Indigenous Studies Center, the first NYU residential communities focused on celebrating Indigeneity (Turtle Island TEC), and created policy that expanded the Lenape Indigenous Scholarship cohort. In 2023, they were granted the Dean’s History Department Award for Excellence in Native American and Indigenous Studies and a Golden Rose Award by NYU’s Academic Achievement Program, which is granted to women of color at NYU for their continued commitment and countless contributions to the community. She also creates art and poetry for herself and her ancestors as a therapeutic way to connect with them and her culture and as a form of resistance.  For many years, Saira has held a deep appreciation and respect for UIC and, in 2022, served as the MMIP Program Manager Associate where they assisted in the creation of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) task force and MMIP Policy Tracker. Now, she is more than excited to continue serving as a member of the Community Advisory Board.